Plaxis software - 2010

Valrie Bernhardt

Introduction
Global Plaxis strategy:
FE Analysis of geotechnical projects: displacements, stability,
bearing capacity, etc.
Keywords: robustness, user-friendliness and quality
Balance between research and practice
2D developments: main program + modules for advanced
geotechnical analysis and design
3D developments: from simple to very complex 3D geotechnical
analysis
Continuous improvement of soil models inconjunction with
understandable parameters

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 Listofproductsandservices
PLAXIS 2D 2010
2D dynamic module
2D PlaxFlow
3D Tunnel V2
3D Foundation V2
PLAXIS 3D 2010
VIP (pour each software license)
Courses and services

PLAXIS2D2010:datatypes
Plane or axisymetric models
Structures: plates, anchors (node-to-node and fixed-end), geogrids
Linear and surface loads, prescribed displacements
Tunnel wizard
Interface elements
(soil/structure
interaction)
Wells
W ll and
dddrains
i
Automatic mesh
generation
( unstructured
meshes)

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PLAXIS2D2010:soilconstitutivelaws
Drained / Undrained behaviour
Drained
Undrained A
(using effective parameters for stiffness and
strength)
Undrained B
(using effective parameters for stiffness and
undrained strength parameters)
Undrained C Comportement drain
(using a total stress analysis with undrained
parameters)
Non-porous
Comportement non drain
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PLAXIS2D:soilconstitutivelaws
The soil tests tool for easy simulation of laboratory tests
Triaxial tests
Oedometers
Compression tests
(CRS)
Simple shear tests
(DSS)
User-defined tests
(General)

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PLAXIS2D2010:availablecalculationtypes
Initial stresses: K0
K0-procedure
procedure or gravity loading
Plastic calculations: analyse en contraintes-dformation avec prise en compte du
phasage (staged construction)
Groundwater flow calculations
(steady-state) with coupling
(full or partial)
Consolidation analysis
Calculation of safety factors
(c/phi reduction)
Large deformations calculations
( updated mesh )
Sensitivity analysis and
parameter variation

PLAXIS2D2010:resultsdisplay(Outputmode)
Graphical display: shadings,
shadings iso-
iso surfaces,
surfaces arrows,
arrows etc
Zooms, cross-sections , choice of displayed elements, scale settings,
selection of structure elements, hint box
Tables

Displacements and strains Stresses and forces

Deformed mesh
Total displacements
Phase displacements
Incremental displacements
Total strains
Phase strains
Incremental strains
Effective and total stresses
Active and excess pore
pressures
Plastic points
Forces in structure elements

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PLAXIS2D2010:resultsdisplay(Outputmode)

PLAXIS2D2010:resultsdisplay(Outputmode)
Curves
Selection of points
(nodes or stress points)
In Curve manager
tool, selection of the
relevant point, and of the
values to be used for x
and y axis

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PLAXIS2D2010:resultsdisplay(Outputmode)
Report generator
Possibility to select the report
content (data, tables,
graphical views, curves, etc)
Capture of model views to be
inserted into the report

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PLAXIS2D2010
Excavations

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PLAXIS2D2010
Soil reinforcement

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PLAXIS2D2010
Foundations

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PLAXIS2D2010
Dikes,, slopes
p and embankments

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PLAXIS 2D2010
Tunnels

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Dynamicsmodule2010(2D,optional)
Dedicated boundary conditions: absorbent boundaries
Vibrations from a single source (vibrating machine, pile
driving)
Seismic analysis (application of an accelerogram at the
bottom of the model)
Free-vibrations analysis (eigen frequencies of soil-structure
systems)

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Plaxflowmodule2010(2D,optional)
Transient flow calculations
Predefined data sets for normalised soil types
Time-dependent boundary conditions (tides, rain, etc)

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3DTunnelv2
Si l 3D tool
Simple t l dedicated
d di t d to
t tunnels
t l analysis:
l i
TBM excavation
NATM excavation
Various extended applications are possible
User-interface similar to PLAXIS 2D

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3DTunnelv2

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3DFoundationv2
Shallow foundations
Deep foundations, piled-raft foundations
Soil reinforcement
Offshore models
Modeling of sub-soil and of relevant parts of the upper structure
Embankments

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3DFoundationv2
Top view approach
Definition of soil layers using
boreholes
Definition of work planes
to activate for instance floors
(structure elements) or loads
Possibility to define walls, beams,
floors, and springs

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3DFoundationv2
Available soil constitutive laws: elastic, Mohr-Coulomb, Hardening
Soil, Hardening Soil Small Stiffness, Soft Soil Creep, User-Defined
Models
Linear or non-linear, isotropic/non-isotropic behaviour for structure
elements
Possibilityy to define a volumetric or lateral expansion
p of volume
piles during staged-construction
Possibility to modify water pressures during staged-construction (in
order to model realistic water pressures along a wall during
excavations for instance)

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3DFoundationv2
Embedded piles

pile

tskin

Ffoot soil

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 A
3DFoundationv2
Ground anchors
anchor
Composed of: bar
Free length: node-to-node bar
(spring between to nodes) wall B
Grouted length: embedded pile

grout body
C

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3DFoundationv2
Automatic mesh generation:
2D mesh: refinement options as in Plaxis 2D (global, local, )
3D mesh: using the 2D mesh, boreholes and work planes
o Non-linear Interpolation between boreholes
o Triangulate option

normal mesh

triangulated mesh

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3DFoundationv2
Calculations:
Initial phase:
o Gravity loading
o K0 procedure
Additional phases:
o Plastic calculations
o Consolidation analysis
y
o Phi/c reduction calculations

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3DFoundationv2
Results:
Displacements, stresses, etc
Forces in structure elements
Cross-sections
Load-displacement curves

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3DFoundationv2

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3DFoundationv2

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3DFoundationv2

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3DFoundationv2

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3DFoundationv2

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3DFoundationv2

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PLAXIS3D2010
Full 3D modelling and meshing
No geometric limitations
CAD objects importation
(DXF, 3DS)
Reliable (existing)
calculation kernel
Plaxis constitutive laws
+ user-defined

Please refer to PLAXIS 3D

dedicated presentation

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Hardwarespecifications
Dual-core processor
Windows XP Pro 32 bits, Vista Business 32/64 bits, or 7 Pro 32/64 bits
Recommendation : Windows 7 Professional 64 bits
Graphics card: 64 Mb minimum, compatible with Open GL
(versions 1.3 and higher)
Hard disk: minimum 500/750 Mo for installation in 2D/3D,
and 500 Mo/10 Go working space available in 2D/3D
RAM : minimum
i i 2G
Go for
f 2D andd4GGo ffor 3D
Video mode: minimum 1024 x 768
Recommendation : > 1280 x 900
USB port
Mouse

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VIPsubscription
p
Per software license and per year
Enables to get all software updates released during subscription
period
Enables to use new functionalities
Includes technical support

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