Geotechnical Models and Simulations

Numerical method based on finite element method (FEM) plays an important role in geotechnical analysis and design for consultants. The course focuses on application of soil models in numerical simulation tools (e.g. PLAXIS or GeoSuite). It covers the topics regarding soil physical and mechanical behaviours, elastic-plasticity theory, some frequently used soil models and their parameters. It starts with continuum mechanics and simple soil models based on Tresca and Coulomb criteria. The focus is then on understanding the hardening rule which correlates shear hardening with soil volumetric change and the introduction of 'Critical State Soil Mechanics'. The ideas of FEM and its mathematical basis are also included in this course. Students can be capable of using these soil models to solve geotechnical problems under numerical tools at the end of course.

Language of instruction: English

BYGG2200 Geotechnics or equivalent, MABY5410 Advanced soil mechanics

After completing this course, the student will gain the following knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

Students have in-depth knowledge of:

• general mechanical behaviours of different soil types based on previous laboratory test results
• elastic-plasticity theory and stress-strain relationships
• concept of critical state and critical state soil mechanics
• soil models used in numerical simulation tools and their limitations
• Mathematical and theoretical basis of finite element method

Skills

Students can:

• capture key soil behaviours and interpret important soil parameters to be used for numerical simulation
• understand soil elastic-plasticity and critical state soil mechanics
• derive the simple constitutive equation to describe soil stress-strain behaviours
• modify / develop simple numerical work based on soil models to simulate soil elementary test
• use numerical tool (e.g. PLAXIS or GeoSuite) to solve the boundary value problem in geotechnical design

General competence

Students:

• deepen the understanding of soil mechanical behaviours and can use mathematics to simply describe it
• have good overview of typical soil models and can choose proper model to simulate soil behaviours

can use numerical tools (e.g. PLAXIS or GeoSuite) to perform numerical analysis with the selection of good parameter inputs, right boundary condition setting and result validation

Lectures, exercises and projects

The following coursework requirements must be approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Notes from 2-3 lectures (approx. 1000 words per note) must be submitted and approved.

Students who fail to meet the coursework requirements can be given up to one re-submission opportunity before the exam

The exam consists of two parts:

1) Written group project report, approx. 5000 words, weighted 50%, and

2) Oral group presentation of the project following by individual Q&A, weighted 50%.

The assessment is in the form of group evaluation with 2-4 students in each group. The oral presentation should be within 15-20 mins followed by individual Q&A session of 5-10 mins each.

All assessment parts must be awarded a pass grade (E or better) for the student to pass the course.

Assessment part 1) can be appealed. Assessment part 2) can not be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral examination may be used instead. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed.

All types of materials and equipment are allowed as long as rules for source referencing are followed.

Grade scale A-F

1) 1 internal examiner and 1 external examiner

2) 1 internal examiner and 1 external examiner

External examiners are used regularly

Erik Ravik Sørlie