Q1. What is the purpose of introducing two software programs for lateral pile analysis?

A1: The course uses two of the most widely adopted software tools worldwide for lateral pile analysis. The goal is not just to teach software operation, but to help you understand the core principles behind the analysis so you can confidently use any program in the future. By learning through two tools, you’ll see that the theory and workflow are software-independent, giving you true flexibility in practice.
Also, this course aims to “raise the bar” — few others go this deep into the practical and theoretical aspects of lateral pile behavior.

Q2. Is this course only for LPile and RSPile users? What if I use different software?

A2: No. The course is not limited to LPile or RSPile.
It focuses on fundamental concepts, manual calculations, and practical interpretation — all of which apply to any lateral pile analysis program (e.g., AllPile, Group, DeepEX, etc.).

Q3. Why are RSPile and LPile used specifically in this course?

• RSPile: Rocscience provides a free 14-day full-feature trial, perfect for completing all course exercises. You can access it by signing up through their RocPortal.
  https://www.rocscience.com/software/rspile

• LPile: Produced by Ensoft, LPile does not usually offer trial versions, but you can download a demo mode from their website for limited use.

  https://www.ensoftinc.com/products/lpile/
  These two programs together give you a balanced understanding of different interfaces, modeling assumptions, and analysis outputs.

Q4. Does The Geotechnicals provide LPile or RSPile licenses?

A4: No. The Geotechnicals does not have licensing agreements with Rocscience or Ensoft.
However, Rocscience’s 2-week free trial provides ample access time to complete the software-based portions of the course.

Q5. How do I receive my certificate of completion?

A5: To earn your certificate:

1. Watch all course videos.

2. Complete the course assignment and email your submission to info@thegeotechnicals.com.
   Once verified, your digital certificate of completion will be emailed to the address used for registration.

Q6. Can I contact the instructor during the course?

A6: Yes! While the course is self-paced, you can always reach out to Dr. Ahmed ElMouchi for academic or technical questions by emailing info@thegeotechnicals.com.
You may also comment directly under any course video — questions posted there will be answered as soon as possible.

Q7. Is the course accredited for CPD hours?

A7: Yes. The certificate (reflecting approximately 20 hours of training) can be used to report Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours, subject to the acceptance of your local regulatory or licensing body.

Q8. Do I get lifetime access to the course videos?

A8: Access is valid for one year from your registration date.
After that, you can rejoin any future course round at no additional cost by contacting us.
Please note: during new rounds, certain video modules may be temporarily restricted while being updated or re-scheduled for other student cohorts.

Additional Notes

• Check your spam/junk folder if you do not receive the certificate within 7 business days.