PLAXIS 2D Reference Manual potx

PLAXIS 2D Reference Manual 2011 Build 5167 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction 9 2 General information 11 2.1 Units and sign conventions 11 2.2 File handling 13 2.3 Help facilities 13 3 Input program - General overview 15 3.1 Starting the Input program 15 3.1.1 New project 16 3.1.2 Existing project 20 3.1.3 Importing a geometry 20 3.1.4 Packing a project 21 3.2 Layout of the Input program 23 3.3 Menus in the Menu bar 25 3.3.1 File menu 25 3.3.2 Edit menu 25 3.3.3 View menu 26 3.3.4 Geometry menu 26 3.3.5 Loads menu 27 3.3.6 Materials menu 28 3.3.7 Mesh menu 28 3.3.8 Help menu 28 3.4 Geometry 28 3.4.1 Points and lines 29 3.4.2 Plates 30 3.4.3 Geogrids 31 3.4.4 Interfaces 32 3.4.5 Node-to-node anchors 35 3.4.6 Fixed-end anchors 36 3.4.7 Tunnels 36 3.4.8 Hinges and rotation springs 40 3.4.9 Drains 42 3.4.10 Wells 42 3.5 Loads and boundary conditions 42 3.5.1 Standard fixities 43 3.5.2 Standard earthquake boundaries 43 3.5.3 Standard absorbent boundaries (dynamics) 43 3.5.4 Set dynamic load system 43 3.5.5 Fixities 44 3.5.6 Rotation fixities (plates) 44 3.5.7 Absorbent boundaries 44 3.5.8 Prescribed displacements 45 3.5.9 Distributed loads 46 3.5.10 Point loads 47 3.5.11 Bending moments 48 3.6 Design approaches 49 PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 3 REFERENCE MANUAL 3.6.1 Definition of design approaches 50 3.6.2 Definition of partial factors for loads 51 3.6.3 Definition of partial factors for materials 52 3.7 Mesh generation 54 3.7.1 Basic element type 55 3.7.2 Global coarseness 55 3.7.3 Global refinement 56 3.7.4 Local coarseness 56 3.7.5 Local refinement 56 3.7.6 Advised mesh generation practice 56 4 Material properties and material database 59 4.1 Modelling soil and interface behaviour 61 4.1.1 General tabsheet 61 4.1.2 Parameters tabsheet 67 4.1.3 Flow parameters tabsheet 83 4.1.4 Interfaces tabsheet 89 4.1.5 Initial tabsheet 94 4.2 Modelling undrained behaviour 96 4.2.1 Undrained (A) 97 4.2.2 Undrained (B) 98 4.2.3 Undrained (C) 98 4.3 Simulation of soil tests 99 4.3.1 Triaxial test 101 4.3.2 Oedometer 103 4.3.3 CRS 103 4.3.4 DSS 104 4.3.5 General 105 4.3.6 Results 105 4.4 Material data sets for plates 106 4.4.1 Material set 106 4.4.2 Properties 107 4.5 Material data sets for geogrids 110 4.5.1 Material set 110 4.5.2 Properties 111 4.6 Material data sets for anchors 112 4.6.1 Material set 112 4.6.2 Properties 113 4.7 Assigning data sets to geometry components 113 5 Calculations 115 5.1 Layout of the Calculations program 115 5.2 Menus in the menu bar 118 5.3 Calculation modes 119 5.3.1 Classical mode 119 5.3.2 Advanced mode 120 5.3.3 Flow mode 120 5.4 Defining calculation phases 121 5.4.1 Calculation tabsheets 121 4 Reference Manual | PLAXIS 2D 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5.4.2 Inserting and deleting calculation phases 122 5.4.3 Phase identification and ordening 123 5.5 Types of analysis 123 5.5.1 Initial stress generation 124 5.5.2 Plastic calculation 127 5.5.3 Plastic drained calculation 127 5.5.4 Consolidation (EPP) calculation 128 5.5.5 Consolidation (TPP) calculation 128 5.5.6 Safety calculation (phi/c reduction) 128 5.5.7 Dynamic calculation 131 5.5.8 Free vibration 131 5.5.9 Groundwater flow (steady-state) 132 5.5.10 Groundwater flow (transient) 132 5.5.11 Plastic nil-step 132 5.5.12 Updated mesh analysis 132 5.6 Load stepping procedures 135 5.6.1 Automatic step size procedure 135 5.6.2 Load advancement - Ultimate level 136 5.6.3 Load advancement - Number of steps 137 5.6.4 Automatic time stepping (consolidation) 138 5.7 Calculation control parameters 138 5.7.1 Iterative procedure control parameters 138 5.7.2 Pore pressure limits 145 5.7.3 Loading input 146 5.7.4 Control parameters 151 5.8 Staged construction - geometry definition 153 5.8.1 Changing geometry configuration 153 5.8.2 Activating and deactivating clusters or structural objects 154 5.8.3 Activating or changing loads 155 5.8.4 Applying prescribed displacements 157 5.8.5 Reassigning material data sets 158 5.8.6 Applying a volumetric strain in volume clusters 159 5.8.7 Prestressing of anchors 160 5.8.8 Applying contraction of a tunnel lining 160 5.8.9 Definition of design calculations 160 5.8.10 Staged construction with ΣMstage < 1 161 5.8.11 Unfinished staged construction calculation 163 5.9 Staged construction - water conditions 163 5.9.1 Water unit weight 164 5.9.2 Phreatic level 165 5.9.3 Closed boundary 169 5.9.4 Precipitation 170 5.9.5 Cluster pore pressure distribution 171 5.9.6 Boundary conditions for flow and consolidation 173 5.9.7 Special objects 179 5.9.8 Water pressure generation 180 5.10 Calculation using design approaches 183 5.11 Load multipliers 183 5.11.1 Standard load multipliers 184 PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 5 REFERENCE MANUAL 5.11.2 Other multiplier s and calculation parameters 186 5.11.3 Dynamic multipliers 187 5.12 Sensitivity analysis & Parameter variation 189 5.12.1 Sensitivity analysis 190 5.12.2 Parameter variation 190 5.12.3 Defining variations of parameters 190 5.12.4 Star ting the analysis 191 5.12.5 Sensitivity - View results 192 5.12.6 Parameter variation - Calculate boundary values 194 5.12.7 Viewing upper and lower values 194 5.12.8 Viewing results of variations 195 5.12.9 Delete results 195 5.13 Starting a calculation 195 5.13.1 Previewing a construction stage 195 5.13.2 Selecting points for curves 195 5.13.3 Execution of the calculation process 195 5.13.4 Aborting a calculation 197 5.13.5 Output during calculations 197 5.13.6 Selecting calculation phases for output 201 5.13.7 Reset staged construction settings 201 5.13.8 Adjustment to input data in between calculations 202 5.13.9 Automatic error checks 202 6 Output program - General overview 205 6.1 Layout of the output program 206 6.2 Menus in the Menu bar 207 6.2.1 File menu 207 6.2.2 View menu 207 6.2.3 Project menu 209 6.2.4 Geometry menu 209 6.2.5 Mesh menu 210 6.2.6 Deformations menu 211 6.2.7 Stresses menu 211 6.2.8 Forces menu 211 6.2.9 Tools menu 211 6.2.10 Window menu 212 6.2.11 Help menu 212 6.3 Tools in the Output program 212 6.3.1 Accessing the Output program 212 6.3.2 Exporting output data 213 6.3.3 Curves manager 215 6.3.4 Store the view for reports 215 6.3.5 Zooming the plot 215 6.3.6 Relocation of the plot 215 6.3.7 Scaling the displayed results 215 6.3.8 Tables 216 6.3.9 Selection of results 217 6.3.10 Display type of results 217 6.3.11 Select structures 218 6 Reference Manual | PLAXIS 2D 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS 6.3.12 Partial geometry 219 6.3.13 Viewing results in cross sections 220 6.3.14 Miscellaneous tools 221 6.4 Draw area 223 6.4.1 Legend 223 6.4.2 Modifying the display settings 224 6.5 Views in Output 226 6.5.1 Model view 226 6.5.2 Structures view 227 6.5.3 Cross section view 227 6.5.4 Forces view 227 6.6 Report generation 227 6.6.1 Configuration of the document 231 6.7 Creating animations 231 7 Results available in Output program 233 7.1 Connectivity plot 233 7.2 Deformations 233 7.2.1 Deformed mesh 233 7.2.2 Total displacements 234 7.2.3 Phase displacements 234 7.2.4 Incremental displacements 234 7.2.5 Velocities 234 7.2.6 Accelerations 234 7.2.7 Accelerations in 'g' 235 7.2.8 Total cartesian strains 235 7.2.9 Phase cartesian strains 235 7.2.10 Incremental cartesian strains 235 7.2.11 Total strains 236 7.2.12 Phase strains 236 7.2.13 Incremental strains 236 7.3 Stresses 236 7.3.1 Cartesian effective stresses 237 7.3.2 Cartesian total stresses 237 7.3.3 Principal effective stresses 237 7.3.4 Principal total stresses 239 7.3.5 State parameters 239 7.3.6 Pore pressures 241 7.3.7 Groundwater flow 242 7.3.8 Plastic points 243 7.3.9 Fixed end anchors 244 7.3.10 Node to node anchors 244 7.3.11 Wells 244 7.3.12 Drains 244 7.4 Structures and interfaces 244 7.4.1 Deformation in structural elements 245 7.4.2 Resulting forces in Plates 245 7.4.3 Resulting forces in Geogrids 246 7.4.4 Anchors 246 PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 7 REFERENCE MANUAL 7.4.5 Interfaces 246 7.4.6 Results in Hinges and rotation spr ings 246 8 Curves 249 8.1 Selecting points for curves 249 8.1.1 Mesh point selection 249 8.1.2 Pre-calculation points 250 8.1.3 Post-calculation points 250 8.2 Generating curves 251 8.2.1 Load-displacement curves 252 8.2.2 Force-displacement curves 253 8.2.3 Displacement-time or force-time curves 254 8.2.4 Stress and strain diagrams 254 8.2.5 Curves in Dynamic calculations 254 8.3 Formatting curves 257 8.3.1 Menus for curves 258 8.3.2 Editing curve data in table 259 8.3.3 Value indication 261 8.4 Formatting options 261 8.4.1 Chart settings 261 8.4.2 Curve settings 262 8.5 Regeneration of curves 264 8.6 Multiple curves in one chart 264 9 References 265 Index Appendix A - Possibilities and limitations of PLAXIS 2D 271 Appendix B - Program and Data File Structure 285 Appendix C - Shortcuts Output program 289 8 Reference Manual | PLAXIS 2D 2011 INTRODUCTION 1 INTRODUCTION The PLAXIS 2D program is a special purpose two-dimensional finite element program used to perform deformation and stability analysis for various types of geotechnical applications. Real situations may be modelled either by a plane strain or an axisymmetric model. The program uses a convenient graphical user interface that enables users to quickly generate a geometry model and finite element mesh based on a representative vertical cross section of the situation at hand. Users need to be familiar with the Windows environment. To obtain a quick working knowledge of the main features of the PLAXIS program, users should work through the example problems contained in the Tutorial Manual. The Reference Manual is intended for users who want more detailed information about program features. The manual covers topics that are not covered exhaustively in the Tutorial Manual. It also contains practical details on how to use the PLAXIS program for a wide variety of problem types. The user interface consists of three sub-programs (Input, Calculations and Output). The Input program is a pre-processor, which is used to define the problem geometr y and to create the finite element mesh. The Calculations program is a separate part of the user-interface that is used to define and execute finite element calculations. The Output program is a post-processor, which is used to inspect the results of calculations in a two dimensional view or in cross sections, and to plot graphs (curves) of output quantities of selected geometry points. The contents of this Reference Manual are arranged according to the sub-programs and their respective options as listed in the corresponding menus. This manual does not contain detailed information about the constitutive models, the finite element formulations or the non-linear solution algorithms used in the program. For detailed information on these and other related subjects, users are referred to the various papers listed in the Scientific Manual and the Material Models Manual. PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 9 REFERENCE MANUAL 10 Reference Manual | PLAXIS 2D 2011 [...]... various program options and features, PLAXIS 2D provides a link in the Help menu to a digital version of the Manuals Moreover, the Help menu may be used to generate a file with software license information as stored in the security lock (to be used for license updates and extensions) A more detailed description of the Help PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 13 REFERENCE MANUAL menu of the Input and Output... the PLAXIS 2D installation folder by double clicking the corresponding file (PackProject.exe) A shortcut to the application can be created as well The project to be compressed and the archive can be located using the Browse button The options available in the Purpose box are: Backup All the files in the project are included in the compressed project PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 21 REFERENCE MANUAL. .. 10.0 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 0 Lines 20 Reference Manual | PLAXIS 2D 2011 INPUT PROGRAM - GENERAL OVERVIEW Table 3.2 Example of a comma-separated value file (.csv) Points 0 , 0.0 , 0.0 1 , 20.0 , 0.0 2 , 20.0 , 10.0 3 , 0.0 , 10.0 0 , 0 , 1 1 , 1 , 2 2 , 2 , 3 3 , 3 , 0 Lines Note that PLAXIS only supports the English notation of decimal numbers using a dot PLAXIS 2D enables reading geometry files of the... available directories and to select the desired PLAXIS project file (*.P2D) After the selection of an existing project, the corresponding geometry is presented in the main window An existing PLAXIS 2D project can also be read by selecting the Open option in the File menu In the file requester, the type of the file is, by default, set to 'PLAXIS 2D files (*.P2D)' 3.1.3 IMPORTING A GEOMETRY It is possible... generate the mesh The options in this menu are explained in detail in Section 3.7 3.3.8 HELP MENU Manuals To display the manuals Instruction movies To reach the PLAXIS TV website where instruction movies are displayed Update license To update the PLAXIS 2D license via e-mail http://www .plaxis. nl/ To reach the PLAXIS website Disclaimer The complete disclaimer text is displayed About Information about the... coarse grid The grid specification is entered in the Model tabsheet of the Project properties window The View menu may be used to activate or deactivate the grid and snapping options PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 19 REFERENCE MANUAL Figure 3.5 Project properties window (Model tabsheet) 3.1.2 EXISTING PROJECT When the Input program is started, a list of the recent projects appears in the Quick select... sets of units are listed below: Int system (SI) [m] [in] [kN] [lbf] Time Geometry: Length Force Basic units: Imperial system [day] [sec] Coordinates [m] [in] Displacements [m] [in] PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 11 REFERENCE MANUAL [kN/m2 ]=[kPa] [psi]=[lbf/in2 ] [kN/m2 ] [psi] Friction angle [deg.] [deg.] Dilatancy angle [deg.] [deg.] Unit weight [kN/m3 ] [lbf/cu in] Permeability [m/day] [in/sec] Point... indicating the function of the button For some input parameters side panels appear to help the user decide which value to select 14 Reference Manual | PLAXIS 2D 2011 INPUT PROGRAM - GENERAL OVERVIEW 3 INPUT PROGRAM - GENERAL OVERVIEW To carry out a finite element analysis using the PLAXIS 2D program, the user has to create a two dimensional geometry model composed of points, lines and other components, in the... Quick select window appears in which a choice must be made between the selection of an existing project and the creation of a new project (Figure 3.1) Figure 3.1 Quick select window PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 15 REFERENCE MANUAL 3.1.1 NEW PROJECT When the Start a new project option is selected, the Project properties window (Figure 3.4) appears in which the basic model parameters of the new project... items: Title bar The name of the program and the title of the project is displayed in the title bar Unsaved modifications in the project are indicated by a '∗' in the project name PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 23 REFERENCE MANUAL Menu bar The menu bar contains pull-down menus covering the options available in the Input program General toolbar The general toolbar contains buttons for general actions . in the Scientific Manual and the Material Models Manual. PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 9 REFERENCE MANUAL 10 Reference Manual | PLAXIS 2D 2011 GENERAL. multipliers 183 5.11.1 Standard load multipliers 184 PLAXIS 2D 2011 | Reference Manual 5 REFERENCE MANUAL 5.11.2 Other multiplier s and calculation parameters