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Interface

PCO is organised in four tabs, in project order.

# Tab What is done there
1 FEM Simulation Sets up pile caps, piles and columns; enters actions; solves the finite element model
2 Design Chooses the behaviour and the model, and calculates the reinforcement
3 Detailing Draws the reinforcement and exports it as DXF
4 Report Issues the editable calculation report
1FEM Simulation
→
2Design
→
3Detailing
4Report

The first tab does two things

The name FEM Simulation describes what it delivers, not everything it asks for. It is where you build the geometry — pile caps, piles, columns — and enter the actions; the finite element simulation is the result of that.

The finite element model is optional for design: Blévot and MBT are analytical and do not depend on it. But it is what allows you to check the assumptions of the strut model. See Finite elements.

Several pile caps, several columns

PCO works with up to 100 pile caps per project, each with up to 30 piles, and more than one column per cap.

Each column in the cap has its own tab within the setup, with its own section, position and actions.

Model and bar sizes are set PER PILE CAP

Behaviour, calculation model and bar sizes belong to the selected pile cap. Changing the model of Cap 1 does not affect Cap 2 — which is the correct behaviour in a project with caps of different sizes, but it requires attention: checking one cap does not check the others.

General features

3D view of the pile cap with the piles and columns in position. It is the quickest way to catch a swapped coordinate.

Communication with the SP line — PCO receives geometry and reactions from the pile programs, instead of requiring them to be entered again. See integration.

Next steps