GROUP — Development History

Selected notable improvements from major releases are highlighted on this page.

GROUP 2022

New features include:

GROUP 2019

Incorporate new features including

GROUP 2016

Release cycle for GROUP 2016 extended from year 2015 through 2018.

Incorporate new features including

GROUP 2014

Incorporate new features including

GROUP 2013 (v8 Data Format)

Group is now released under maintenance contract. All users with active maintenance contracts can download all program updates and revisions from the Ensoft website (www.ensoftinc.com) without additional charges. Thus, users are no longer purchasing version updates to the program. Instead, they are purchasing extensions to their maintenance contracts.

The version numbers now used for GROUP has three parts that indicate the year of the initial release, the data file format version number, and the update/revision number. The meaning of the versions numbers is described below.

The new features for this release are summarized below:

GROUP v.8.0 (2010)

GROUP 7.0 (2006)

GROUP 6.0 (2003)

GROUP 5.0 (2000)

GROUP 4.0 (1996)

GROUP 3.0 (1994)

GROUP 2.0 (1990)

The second version of GROUP included a number of additional, user-friendly features. The main improvements were on the input and graphics modules. The input module introduced the use of pull-down menus and grid cells for data entry. The graphics module provided enhanced plots for pile deflection, bending moment, shear, and soil resistance.

A subroutine was added to the main program to allow the implementation of the t-z method to solve for the settlement (or uplift) of a pile, based on soil properties and pile geometry. The user was able to specify that the program internally generate the settlement of a pile as a function of axial load based on nonlinear load transfer in skin friction and end bearing, which in turn may vary as a function of distance below the ground surface.

GROUP 1.0 (1987)

The first version of GROUP internally generated the nonlinear response of the soil in the form of p-y curves for soft clay, stiff clay with or without free water, and sand. The user was also allowed to input externally generated p-y curves. The relationship between vertical load and pile settlement (or uplift) had to be externally specified by the user.