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Getting started with Slake

This document presents the general operation of the user interface to ensure a quick start for the user. The description of the calculation parameters and their choice is detailed in the software's scientific manual.

General operation of the interface

In Slake, the user works with different projects (saved as *.slkp files). A project includes a set of global parameters and may contain data sets for different soundings (CPT(u) and/or SPT tests). For each data set, an individual analysis can be carried out to determine the factor of safety at the depths of measurement. The results are presented in the form of graphs or tables.

In the case of a project containing several data sets, the comparison mode provides access to a comparative analysis in the form of graphs, tables, or plan representations of the results of the analysis for each sounding.

Home screen

The home screen offers various actions and information as shown below.

Ecran d'accueil

  1. This group allows you to : * create a new Slake project

    • open an existing Slake project (project in *.slkp format)

    • open one of the example projects provided at the installation

      • access the user manual
  2. The project history area allows quick access to previously created and saved projects. They are listed in ante-chronological order with a reminder of the registration folder and of the last modification date.

  3. License information is recalled here, including: the name of the company that owns the license used, the license key number and the expiration date, if any. By clicking on this area, the information is copied to the clipboard for easy transmission to the technical support department when assistance is requested.

  4. The drop-down list allows you to choose the language of use of the interface: French or English.

Workspace

The workspace regrups 5 zones that are described in more detail below.

Espace de travail

  1. The side panel for project and display management
  2. The input panel for calculation parameters (of projects and data sets)
  3. The results display area (in graphical or tabular form)
  4. The results display control panel
  5. The area for managing graphical displays and summarizing results.

Creating a project in Slake

Side panel for project and display management

Once a project has been created or opened, the user has access to various options and information via the side panel on the left of the interface.

Panneau latéral

From top to bottom, this panel gathers:

Project definition

The project definition screen contains 4 input cards as shown below.

Ecran de définition du projet

  1. Project identification: these text fields are used to indicate the project references as well as the elevation reference. This is used in the interface, in particular for the definition of levels and the f presentation of results.
  2. Calculation options: this card shows the choice of methods used in the project for the calculation of the factors of safety and the calculation of settlements. The parameters entered here by the user are used for the calculation related to each of the project's data sets.
  3. Seismic hypothesis: these parameters describe the seismic conditions to be taken into account in the calculations. The parameters entered here by the user are used for the calculation related to each of the project's data sets.
  4. Advanced parameters: this card allows you to access the definition of global parameters necessary to perform the calculation. In principle, the default values do not need to be modified but remain accessible to the user. The parameters entered here by the user are used for the calculation related to each of the project's data sets.

Once the project parameters have been defined, the user can create a new set of data using the "Create a data set" button.

Data set definition

The data set definition screen varies depending on the type of test considered: Slake allows cone penetration test (CPT or CPT(u) with piezocone) and standard penetration tests (SPT) to be taken into account. The 3 input cards presented below are common to both types of tests.

Ecran de définition d'un sondage

  1. Data Set Identification: This map allows you to fill in the sounding identification reference, the test type, as well as field and groundwater levels at the time of the sounding.
  2. Calculation parameters: this map describes the project conditions that will be taken into account in the calculation. Changing the advanced calculation parameters is not recommended but remains accessible by unfolding the corresponding area.
  3. Stratigraphic model: this map describes the stratigraphic model used in the calculations. The stratigraphic profiles under initial and project conditions are presented in the graphs area on the right-hand side of the screen.

Parameters specific to CPT(u) data sets

The "CPT data" card allows the static penetration test results to be entered (or imported) in a table. The user must specify wheter the test was conducted using a mechanical cone (CPT) or a piezocone (CPTu), in which case the u2 pore pressure values are needed. In the case of a CPTu data set, the user must enter the geometric correction parameter for overpressure "a" depending on the type of probe used. An indicative value is set by default.

Exploitation individuel CPT

Parameters specific to SPT data sets

Two input cards are specific to SPT soundings.

Exploitation individuelle SPT

The "sounding diameter" and "sampling method" are necessary for the conduct of the analysis (they are used to calibrate corrective factors on the SPT blow count). The "type of hammer" is optional and used to estimate the the energy ratios ER if left empty in the SPT data table. The user defined ER values, if entered in the SPT data table, are systematically given priority to over the estimation method.

Graphical display of the data set

The input of a data set is automatically represented in graphical form. By default, the following data is shown:

When all the data has been entered, the user accesses the "Calculate" button to activate the presentation of the analysis results.

Calculation results for a single data set

By default, the results are displayed in the form of graphs. It is possible to switch between the different display modes using the table DISPLAY_TABS copieor graphs DISPLAY_GRAPHS copie buttons located in the right side panel.

Results as graphs

Graphs available for CPT(u) data sets

The graphs available for CPT data sets are divided into 4 groups in the right side panel:

GroupPictogramName of the graphDisplayed by default before calculationDisplayed by default after calculation
GP_STRATIGRAPHY-100GP_STRATIGRAPHY-100Stratigraphic and piezometric profiles
GP_INPUT_CPT-100QC_PENETROMETRICAL_PROFILETip resistance profile
GP_INPUT_CPT-100FS_PENETROMETRICAL_PROFILESleeve friction profile  
GP_INPUT_CPT-100RF_PENETROMETRICAL_PROFILEFriction ratio profile (%)  
GP_EXPLOITATION_CPT-100STATE_OF_CONSTRAINTInitial stresses and final stresses (project conditions) profiles  
GP_EXPLOITATION_CPT-100SOIL_INDEXSoil Behaviour Type Index (Robertson) 
GP_EXPLOITATION_CPT-100QC1N_NCSNormalised tip resistance  
GP_EXPLOITATION_CPT-100QT_FR_ROBERTSON_DIAGRAMCPT-based Soil Behaviour-Type Chart (Robertson)  
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100CRR_VS_CSRCyclic Stress Ratio and Cyclic Resistance ratio profiles  
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SECURITY_FACTORFactor of Safety profile 
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SETTLEMENT_PROFILEPost-liquefaction settlements 
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQUEFIABLE_PROFILECumulative thickness of liquefiable soils  
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQ_CURVCPT Clean Sand Base Curve for liquefaction for a reference magnitude   

Due to their format, the CPT-based Soil Behaviour-Type Chart (Robertson) and CPT Clean Sand Base Curve for liquefaction can only be displayed in solo mode by selecting the associated pictogram.

Graphs available for SPT data sets

GroupPictogramName of the graphDisplayed by default before calculationDisplayed by default after calculation
GP_STRATIGRAPHY-100GP_STRATIGRAPHY-100Stratigraphic and piezometric profiles
GP_INPUT_SPTBLOW_COUNTSPT blow count
GP_INPUT_SPTER_FCEnergy ratio and fines content 
STATE_OF_CONSTRAINTSTATE_OF_CONSTRAINTInitial stresses and final stresses (project conditions) profiles  
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100CRR_VS_CSRCyclic Stress Ratio and Cyclic Resistance ratio profiles  
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SECURITY_FACTORFactor of Safety profile 
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SETTLEMENT_PROFILEPost-liquefaction settlements 
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQUEFIABLE_PROFILECumulative thickness of liquefiable soils  
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQ_CURVCPT Clean Sand Base Curve for liquefaction for a reference magnitude   

Due to its format, the CPT Clean Sand Base Curve for liquefaction is only displayed in solo mode.

Managing the displayed graphs

The area under the graphs area indicates the displayed graphs. Clicking on the pictogram of one of these graphs will center the display on it. The full title of each graph is displayed on hovering in the form of a tooltip.

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The right side panel gives control over the graphs displayed. The groups of graphs are unfolded at the left click to allow you to select the graphs to display. It is also possible to disable or activate all the graphs in a same group with a "click-wheel" or a right click to access a dedicated context menu.

Results as table

All input data, intermediate results and analysis results are available in a table format. The display of the results in table form is activated with the button DISPLAY_TABS copie in the right side panel. The results table can be exported as a *.csv (or simply copied to the clipboard) file by clicking on the button Export txt copy for external data post-processing.

Results synthesis

A summary of the results is available in the lower panel and includes:

1569482869516

Calculation results for multiple data sets

If two data sets are fully and correctly filled in, Slake offers to access a comparison mode from the "Launch comparison" button in the left side panel. By clicking on this button, all correctly defined data sets are calculated and selected for comparison.

A data set can be added or removed from the comparison by clicking on the ✓ button adjacent to it in the left side panel.

1569484914229

By default, the comparison results are displayed in the form of graphs (superposition of the result curves). It is possible to switch between the different display modes using the table DISPLAY_TABS copie, graphs DISPLAY_GRAPHS copieor isovalue map KRIGING buttons in the right side panel. To access the plane representations it is necessary to use a minimum of 3 data sets, including their (X, Y) coordinates which are par of the "Data set identification" card:

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Results as graphs

In graph mode, the comparison mode overlays the graphical results plotted for each of the selected data sets. The lower side panel contains the legend to identify each set.

1571124800479

Comparison of multiple CPT(u) data sets

The following is a list of graphs available when the project contains only CPT(u) data sets.

GroupPictogramName of the graphDisplayed by default
GP_INPUT_CPT-100QC_PENETROMETRICAL_PROFILETip resistance profile
GP_INPUT_CPT-100FS_PENETROMETRICAL_PROFILESleeve friction profile  
GP_INPUT_CPT-100RF_PENETROMETRICAL_PROFILEFriction ratio profile (%) 
GP_EXPLOITATION_CPT-100SOIL_INDEXSoil Behaviour Type Index (Robertson)
GP_EXPLOITATION_CPT-100QC1N_NCSNormalised tip resistance 
GP_EXPLOITATION_CPT-100QT_FR_ROBERTSON_DIAGRAMCPT-based Soil Behaviour-Type Chart (Robertson) 
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SECURITY_FACTORFactor of Safety profile
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SETTLEMENT_PROFILEPost-liquefaction settlements
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQUEFIABLE_PROFILECumulative thickness of liquefiable soils 
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQ_CURVCPT Clean Sand Base Curve for liquefaction for a reference magnitude  

Comparison of multiple SPT data sets

The following is a list of graphs available when the project contains only SPT data sets.

GroupPictogramName of the graphDisplayed by default
GP_INPUT_SPTBLOW_COUNTSPT blow count
GP_INPUT_SPTER_FCEnergy ratio and fines content 
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SECURITY_FACTORFactor of Safety profile
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SETTLEMENT_PROFILEPost-liquefaction settlements
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQUEFIABLE_PROFILECumulative thickness of liquefiable soils 
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQ_CURVCPT Clean Sand Base Curve for liquefaction for a reference magnitude  

Comparison of CPT(u) and SPT data sets

The following is a list of graphs available when the project contains both CPT(u) and SPT data sets.

GroupPictogrammName of the graphDiplayed by default
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SECURITY_FACTORFactors of Safety
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100SETTLEMENT_PROFILEPost-liquefaction settlements
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQUEFIABLE_PROFILECumulative thickness of liquefiable soils
GP_LIQ_ANALYSIS-100LIQ_CURVCPT Clean Sand Base Curve for liquefaction for a reference magnitude  

Comparison results as table

The tabular display shows the summary results for each data set and highlights the extreme values and associated data sets.

1571124889281

Results as isovalue maps

From 3 selected data sets, the comparison mode allows a representation in the form of an analysis isovalue map. The data sets are positioned in plan according to the X and Y coordinates in the "Data set identification" card. Iso-values are determined from the interpolation of the results for each data set.

The following results can be visualized:

Practical consideration

Copying and deleting a data set

Within a project, data sets can easily be duplicated or deleted. Two methods exist:

Managing the workspace and cards layout

The group of buttons 1569336351107 in the side panel allows you to switch between different interface layouts to optimize the display according to your hardware and the task performed (input or evaluation).

It is also possible to fold up/unfold the input cards by clicking on their header to manually optimize the display.

Help figures and tooltips

Some parameters have an associated help figure to help the user in defining them. The help figures are accessible with the 1569344483163 buttons. The help figure is automatically closed with a single click anywhere on the screen.

All parameters whose title is not explicit on the interface are also explained using a text tooltip that appears on hovering. This tooltip system is also used for action buttons or for graphs selection.

Information messages and input control

Throughout the editing of a project, the data entered by the user is checked and warnings are displayed to the user:

If the entry does not allow the calculation to be completed, the warning will be displayed in red, while the warnings displayed in orange inform the user of an possibly inconsistent value or one that requires the calculation to be restarted.

The side panel uses this color code to inform the user about the status of the data set. An orange dot 1570692878097informs the user that the data set needs to be recalculated, while a red dot 1570692941980 specifies that the input data does not allow the calculation to start.

Graphical display settings

For all results displayed in graph format, the interval (min, max) of the displayed entities on the x-axis can be changed manually. Right-click on the graph to access the "horizontal axis configuration" option. It is then necessary to configure the minimum and/or maximum bounds of the abscissa to be projected.

AxisManagement

Note that by unticking the manual input options, Slake will project the abscissa with the intervals set by default for each graphic. This option is also valid for the planar representation of the results, where it becomes possible to define an interval for both the x-axis, y-axis, and color scale of the projected calculation result.

It is also possible to zoom in on all the graphics (y-axis) directly with the mouse wheel.

BornesGraphiquesENG

Input table and data import

Management of the input tables

The input tables for stratigraphic models and individual data set exploitation are used with different action buttons located below.

Data import wizard

The import wizard allows you to import data from the clipboard. This data may have been copied from Excel or from a text file that uses the "tabulation" character as a column separator.

When the wizard is launched, the contents of the clipboard are read and the columns are identified

1571125221446

For each of the identified columns, the user matches it to a column of the table, and specifies the unit of the data to be imported. This last operation ensures the conversion into the units used by the software. The user can also specify the interval of lines to be imported, in particular to avoid importing any header lines from the clipboard.

Keyboard shortcuts

CombinationAction
Ctrl+NNew project
Ctrl+OOpen project
Ctrl+SSave project
Ctrl+PPrint
Ctrl+WBack to home screen
Alt+F4Close Slake


Slake - Getting started - January 2021

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