Spy Soil Structure Software

What we do: Our tag line is that we develop and license “next generation soil structure interface software”, but the truth is that much of what we are developing is first generation because it is filling the “soil structure interface gap”. That is, for the first time we are providing suitable software for modelling soil structure interface rather than just relying on old formulas or overly simplified linear springs. Real soils and interfaces exhibit nonlinear behavior, including sliding and gapping. For whom we do it: Soil structure interface software can be used by both geotechnical and structural engineers. Historically these two branches of civil engineering have been reluctant to talk to each other, let alone collaborate, which is why the “soil structure interface gap” has persisted for so long. Why do they need it: In the first place, because there is a gap between both geotechnical and structural engineers and the computer programs they utilize. In the second place, because this gap makes a difference. The errors due to overly simplified modelling of soil structure interfaces are unknown, but are likely significant. Especially when performance-based design methods are used (e.g. SalesForce Tower), designs based on detailed nonlinear analyses of the structure are questionable when overly simplified and potentially quite inaccurate treatment of the soil structure interface is a key part of the overall analysis. Our launch product - what’s in a name: Our company name is SPY, the first letters of our founders’ last names, and our launch product is SPI+, a program for the analysis of piles and walls. SPI, for Soil-Pile Interaction is the name of the original program from Digital Structures, Inc. and the + indicates the extension of that program to cover walls. SPI+ can model the deformation of piles and walls more accurately than any existing program and can be used to both design and analyze the potential deformation of shoring systems.