Finite Element Modeling in Geotechnical Engineering

The main objective of this short course is describing the implementation of numerical modeling in geotechnical engineering. The course focuses on the practical application of numerical modeling in the simulation and prediction of geo-structures such as retaining walls, foundations, and tunnels. Several topics including numerical modeling procedures, constitutive models, in-situ stress analysis, boundary conditions, meshing, and material properties will be discussed. Commercial programs for computational geotechnics will be introduced, and finite difference and finite element methods for numerical modeling will be described. FLAC, the finite difference program developed by Itasca Consulting Group Inc., will be considered for conducting practical simulations.

Course Outline

• Application of Numerical Modeling
• Idealized Field Conditions in Numerical Modeling
• One-Dimensional Analysis
• Two-Dimensional Analysis
• Plane Strain
• Plane Stress
• Axisymmetric
• Three-Dimensional Analysis
• Numerical Modeling Procedure
• Introduction to Numerical Methods
• Finite Element Method
• Finite Difference Method
• Discrete Element Method
• Limit Equilibrium Method
• Hybrid/Coupled Methods
• Finite Element Meshing
• Finite Difference Grids
• Discontinuous vs. Continuous Models
• Boundary Conditions
• Introduction to FLAC and FLAC3D
• Introduction to UDEC and 3DEC
• Introduction to PFC2D and PFC3D
• Introduction to PLAXIS and PLAXIS3D
• Introduction to GeoStudio Programs
• Introduction to Rocscience Programs
• Introduction to Constitutive Relationships
• Review on Mechanics of Solids Principles for Numerical Modeling
• Elastic and Elastic-Plastic Constitutive Relationships
• Example: Slope Stability Analysis in FLAC