I'd like to suggest you, first make a model in Plaxis 2D.

*click on material*

Use following material properties of soil (as sand):-

1. unit weight = 17, saturated= 20 (go next)

2. Modulus of elasticity (E) = 30000

3. v (poison ratio) = 0.3

4. c= 1 (take at least 1 for sand)

5. Fi = 30 degree.

Use following material properties of Plate (as Pile):-

1. EA = 2000000

2. EI = 8000

3. w = 2

4. v (poison ratio) = 0.2

Once you have created the geometry, Drag the material properties to geometry to assign it.

next create fine mesh (by clicking on mesh)

Next step, go to Initial condition, deactivate grnd water,

calculate initial stress, go to final calculation (click on Calculate)

click on insert phase

go to define

select plastic calculation

go to parameter activate Pile Plate.

click on calculate

do as I said, If you' ve any problem

ping me.

[email protected]

I think for the lateral load beam element will work but you need to chexk. In plaxis if you are modeling structure as a beam element and you connect pile elemnt with cap elememt by default connection is rigid connection which mean it can transfer moment. Based on your requirement you can define connection. ..there is hinge and rigid and also you can define rotational stiffness if you want to assign semi rigid connection.

Also if your major concern is joint between pile cap and pile, you can not model using continum element. ...also modeling a very thick pile cap as a beam element may not be very scientific. ..so there is option to integrate SAP and PLAXIS. ..You can model pile and pile cap in SAP where as soil in PLAXIS