CPT Analyst
Version 6.2
QUICK START WITH DEMONSTRATION FILES
Download
You need to place all three files (CPT Analyst.CAB, Setup.EXE, Setup.LST) in a separate folder that you can find easily. These three files were sent to you a little earlier using the WhaleMail web site. All three of these files will need to be downloaded. Scroll lower in the email message to get all three of the files. Some places need administrator privileges to install a program on a computer. You will need to check with you network administrator if you have problems with installation.
CPT Analyst.CAB is a compressed file with the CPT-Analyst.EXE and other subroutines necessary to run the program. With all three of the files discussed above in one folder, you are ready to being the installation
Installation
Click on the Start button followed by the Run. This will then bring up the Run dialog box. Click the Browse button and go to the directory that contains the files that were distributed for the programs. Click on the Setup program and then the click on the Okay button. This will begin the installation. At this point, simply answer the questions as to where you want to put the programs. It is recommended that you use the default directories.
From the Windows Start menu, simply select the CPT-Analyst program and follow the instructions on the screen.
Running CPT-Analyst
From Windows, click Start and then pick CPT-Analyst from the list of programs that you have installed on your system. The menu is set so that it generally follows the process of working on a project. The sequence to be used is as follows:
- First, you will need to determine if you want to select layers manually or have the computer make a first cut at identifying the layers.
- Manual Layer Selection. From the Main Menu, Select Edit and then Edit Minimum Thickness. Enter a 0 if you want to select the layers manually. When the screen later presents the graphs on the screen, simply place the cursor where you would like a layer and then left click. To delete a layer, move the cursor on top of the layer and left click.
- Auto Layer Selection. From the Main Menu, select Edit and then Edit Minimum Thickness. If you enter anything greater than 0, the program will do a first cut of the possible layers. If you want 1 foot to be the thinnest layer, then enter about .8 feet and the program will select the layers using that criteria. You can experiment with this feature to determine your own preferences.
- Next, you will need to give the program information on the files that contain the measurement data collected in the field. The correct information for reading the data must be entered in the Vendor and Project Data (VPD) file. To begin with, simply use the Demo.VPD file that was provided with the program. Detailed information on the variables and data in this file are contained in Appendix A.
- Once the VPD data file is selected, you will need to enter the name of the file that contains the soil behavior zones and the data that is associated with the behavior zones. This as a fairly large file and contains a lot of information. To begin with, use the Material8.MBD file that is supplied. Once you understand how the program works, this data can later be modified to meet your specific needs.
- You will next be asked for the sounding file that contains the field measurements. The information telling the program where the information is contained data file is in the VPD file. If the data is read in correctly, the program will move on and graph the data and information your screen. Add and delete layers as desired in this screen.
- With the sounding divided into layers, the layers identified and their empirical engineering parameters calculated, the data and information can be viewed, printed or cancelled. Simply click on the desired event. If you Save & Exit, the program will save the layer boundaries that you have and allow you to come back later and look at the same work at another time.
The DEMO files with the .CPT extension are only for demonstration purposes. If you don’t need them, you can delete them using Windows Explorer. It is not recommended that the sample control files (VPD, MBD) be deleted. You can later modify these files to meet the needs of your specific project and not have to build them from scratch.
LICENSE AGREEMENT
Preface
CPT-Analyst and this user's manual are intended to provide practicing geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists with a relatively quick and easy-to-use means of performing data reduction and evaluating liquefaction potential.
CPT-Analyst runs on a PC compatible computer with a Pentium processor using the WINDOWS 98 or newer operating system. The essential information needed to provide input and run the program is provided in this user's manual, with numerous paragraph headings to permit reference to specific topic areas.
Any CPT-Analyst files may be copied only for legitimate archival or backup purposes for the end user who licensed the program. The CD may not be otherwise duplicated or redistributed in any form to any other party, under penalty of the U.S. copyright laws.
Reference citations direct the user to additional information sources. Program assumptions and input-data limitations are explained to help the user determine the suitability of the programs to a particular situation.
Abstract
The CPT-Analyst Program is a WINDOWS compatible, interactive computer program. CPT-Analyst runs on a PC compatible computer with a Pentium processor having at least 64 mb of RAM using the WINDOWS 98 or newer operating system. The program is furnished as executable machine code (.EXE file) on a CD-ROM. CPT-Analyst accesses a CPT sounding file that can contain data for up to 2000 readings and create up to 200 layers. The program creates a report to the printer or disk-data files of tabulated output summaries and graphical plots of the output. A sample file data file and associate files than contain the material classification information are included for use with CPT-Analyst. These files can be modified and used at templates for future projects. In recognition of the potential for differing professional opinions and site specific data than can be developed for a project and what parameters should be assigned to different materials, instructions are given so that the user can generate his own material behavior-data file.
Background
This software was initially developed in 1986 but was not widely distributed. However due to a increased interest and cone penetration test usage and the powerful interactive nature of the Windows Operating System, the software was adapted and update to the Windows environment. If you use the program, then it is only fair that you pay for it. This will also help support future improvements. If you have suggestions for improvements, then please send them to me. If you have a request for changes to the software to meet your specific needs, then an agreed price for making those changes can be worked out. However, if the changes are of a general nature that the program author deems marketable to others, then the changes may be incorporated in normal program updates.
End User Restrictions
Ned Larson Software Company has granted, and the End User has accepted, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, a personal nonexclusive license to use the Cone Penetrometer Software developed and owned by Ned Larson Software Company, hereinafter referred to as NLSC.
The End User understands that NLSC would be damaged by unauthorized copying, duplication or distribution of the Cone Penetrometer Software and that those practices are prohibited under this agreement except to make archival copies of the Cone Penetrometer Software. The End User may not distribute, sublicense, copyright, or otherwise transfer this license without written consent from NLSC. One copy must be purchased for a given office/location and may be copied for use on multiple computers within that office. However, entities with more than one office/location must purchase copies of the Cone Penetrometer Software for each of the other offices/locations where the user wants to utilize the program.
Limited Warranty
CPT-Analyst, is a Computer Program for the data reduction and liquefaction analysis using the cone penetration test results, WINDOWS 98 and newer Compatible Versions, User's Manual. Copyright 1986-2004 by:
Ned B. Larson
11223 Minstrel Tune Drive
Germantown, MD 20876
(301) 916-7951 (voice)
IMPORTANT! The materials are provided to you, the user, on the express condition that you agree to this software license agreement. By using the this program, you agree to the software license agreement provisions. If you do not agree with those provisions, return these materials to Ned Larson Software within three (3) days from receipt, for a refund.
All rights reserved. The CPT-Analyst program, its related data files; and the CD on which they are contained (collectively referred to as "Licensed Software") are licensed to you, the end user, for your own use. You do not obtain title to the Licensed Software or any copyrights or proprietary rights in the Licensed Software. You may not sub-license, or disassemble the Licensed Software for any purpose. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner without the express written permission of the author is prohibited. Although efforts have been made to accurately present the material, the Licensed Software is provided "as-is." No liability is assumed with respect to machine compatibility, program operation, output accuracy, or information contained herein. In no event will NLSC be liable for direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages including but not limited to any loss of business, interruption of service, loss of anticipatory profits, inability to use CPT-Analyst Software or the inability of CPT-Analyst Software to operate with or in conjunction with other products, even if they have been advised of the possibility of such damages. It is assumed that firms that purchase and use CPT-Analyst, and its related data files are familiar with the methods and procedures available for interpreting CPT results,knowledgeable in the procedures for estimating earthquake liquefaction potential, and are qualified to correctly apply them in their design practices. It is the responsibility of the firms using this CPT-Analyst User's Manual and its related program, to verify their accuracy and suitability to a particular design application. The program author shall not be liable for any coincidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of furnishing or use of the program or this user's manual. The user accepts and uses this manual and its related program at his own risk, in reliance solely upon his own inspection of the material and without reliance upon any representation or description thereof.
If the user detects errors or problems, it would be appreciated if they would be brought to the attention of the author, so that efforts can be made to correct future editions of the program.
NLSC’s entire liability hereunder for damages, regardless of the form of action, will not exceed the charges paid by the End User to NLSC for this particular license.
Because of the wide variety of sites where the cone penetrometer data may come from and the different uses of the data, the data files that are included only as examples and must be verified by a Professional Engineer to determine their suitability for a site and applicability for the analyses to be performed. NLSC makes no recommendation on the validity or completeness of any of the classification schemes discussed herein or the accuracy of the methods used to determine the different parameters.
If the End User cannot live by this agreement, then return the software and you will receive a full refund.
Support
Because of the limited market under which this software is sold, there is not sufficient volume to have full time support so I still have to work at another job. Much effort has been made to make the software as usable as possible with no support by providing example data files, plotting routines to visually check input parameters, and documentation. This is not a general-purpose computer program where usage can begin with only limited or no reading of the documentation. Instead this program is intended to solve a specific and specialized problem so the documentation and data files must be fully understood before beginning project work. Understanding the documentation and data files will minimized any problems you may encounter running the software. No support is implied or promised. However, you might be able to catch me in the evenings at 301-916-7951. If no one answers, then leave a message and I will get back to you. The best way to contact me is through email. I am out of town often so I may not respond immediately. My email address is .
It is assumed that the End User is already experienced in the use and operation of Windows and reasonably familiar with the computer hardware. Because of my limited time, I cannot solve hardware-related problems.
Miscellaneous
If any applicable statute or rule or law invalidates any part of this agreement, the remainder of the agreement shall remain binding upon all parties. The laws of the state of Maryland shall govern this agreement.
Trademarks
All product names mentioned in this manual are trademarks of their producers.
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Table of Contents
CPT Analyst......
Version 6.1......
QUICK START WITH DEMONSTRATION FILES......
INSTALLATION......
LICENSE AGREEMENT......
Preface......
Abstract......
Background......
End User Restrictions......
Limited Warranty......
Support......
Miscellaneous......
Trademarks......
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION......
Background......
Program Implementation......
Chapter 2: INSTALLATION & RUNNING THE PROGRAM......
Installation with Windows......
Running the Program......
Demonstration Files......
Chapter 3: MAIN SCREEN......
Initial Menu Screen......
File
Open Vendor and Project Data (.VPD)......
Open Material Behavior Data (.MBD)......
Open Cone Data files......
Graphics Printer and Report Printer Setup......
Edit
Edit Minimum Thickness for Automatic Layer Selection......
Create/Edit VPD Data File......
View
View Colors......
Chapter 4: LAYER SELECTION SCREEN......
Layer Selection......
Screen Information......
Liquefaction Information......
Depth
Layer Number......
Depth Below Layer......
Data Point Information at Bottom of the Screen......
Layer Information at the Bottom of the Screen......
Material Behavior Plot for a Layer......
Parameters Edited Directly on Screen......
Pixels per Point......
Points Ignored......
Max Scale for First Plot......
Max Scale for Second Plot......
Max Scale for Third Plot......
Max Scale for Fourth Plot......
Max Scale for Fifth Plot......
File
Print Layer Report......
Print Layer Graph......
Print Layer Report and Graph......
Save Layer Report File......
Save Layer Data File......
Print Data Point Report......
Print Data Point Graph......
Print Data Point Report and Graph......
Save Data Point Report File......
Save Data Point Data File......
Save & Exit......
Edit
Magnitude......
Acceleration......
Water Depth for Liquefaction Analysis......
Water Depth during CPT for Normalization......
Fit Plot on a Single Page......
Set feet per Page......
Select Parameters for Screen Layer Selection......
Select Report Parameters......
Select Data File Parameters......
Select Parameters for Material Behavior Zone Plot......
VIEW
View Layer Report......
View Graph......
View Layer Data File......
View Data Point Report......
View Data Point Graph......
View Data Point Data File......
Clear Layers......
Cancel
Appendix A: DATA FILE FORMAT AND CONTENT......
Data File Layout......
Vendor Parameter Data......
Material Behavior Type Data......
LIQUEFY2......
REFERENCES......
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Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
Background
One of the biggest benefits of using the cone penetrometer as a logging tool is that it can give a near continuous profile of soil conditions throughout the entire sounding. The disadvantage is that it can produce huge amounts of data that must be reduced and manipulated before it can be used and interpreted by an engineer. To date, the methods used to interpret the data have been widely varied. Solutions range from coarse visual interpretation to detailed processes using different computer programs that produce huge amounts of printouts.
The method that is proposed using this computer code preserves the advantages of the CPT and by making the data interpretation easy. This program allows the engineer to quickly work with the CPT data and make decisions on how the profile is to be broken up into layers that can be used for further analysis. If the data are for a slope stability problem, then small weak layers are very important and the engineer may want to break them out for examination. If the data are to be used for a settlement analysis then the engineer may not want to break out layers that are quite thin to keep the amount of data needed for settlement analyses to reasonable amounts. This computer program allows the engineer quickly decide while allowing the computer to perform the tedious calculations necessary to use the CPT data as desired.
Program Implementation
The program, as now implemented, is very simple and very interactive. It is based on a simple premise that one of my Professors used to say “If a picture is worth a thousand words, a graph is worth a million numbers.” The program is optimized to be very responsive for the interactive selection and editing of layers. This is done by plotting the sounding results on the screen using colors and symbols to convey a large amount of information to the user that can be quickly interpreted. This allows the engineer to efficiently perform his or her work and then move onto other tasks. Descriptions of the menu and what each option does are discussed later.