New Features in PLAXIS 2D 2016 for Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling – PLAXIS Bulletin Spring 2016

The PLAXIS Expert Service update reviews the project of Moretrench in the USA dealing with tunnel excavation by means of ground freezing. PLAXIS assisted the client in setting up two-dimensional finite element models for the analysis of time-dependent temperature development in frozen ground with flowing water. Besides benchmarking PLAXIS Thermal capabilities, they put forward the ability of PLAXIS 2D in evaluating the time required to obtain a satisfactory frozen wall thickness for stability purposes.

The first user’s article presents the geomechanical modelling of the Dutch waste disposal facility in a Boom Clay stratum using PLAXIS 2D. The key issue was to study the impact of uncertainties on the feasibility of the design and construction of a repository, with respect to stability and consequential financial performance. In view of the non-linear features of the Boom Clay, the Hardening Soil (HS) model was used. As well as illustrating the capability of PLAXIS Thermal module in assessing the repository behaviour, this article puts forward an approach based on probabilistic methods to quantify uncertainties in the material parameters.

The second user’s article addresses how PLAXIS 3D can be utilised to study the settlements beneath the foundation of a dome-shaped sugar silo in Hungary. The foundation of the sugar silo is supported by embedded piles and rigid inclusions to improve its stability. When assessing the behaviour of the soil layers, the Hardening Soil with small-strain stiffness (HSsmall) model was used. The required parameters for each soil layer are obtained from the oedometer tests. To verify the model, the numerical results are compared with the measured data.