Constitutive and Numerical Modelling in Geotechnics

Abstract

This course aims to achieve a basic understanding of conventional continuum mechanics approaches to constitutive and numerical modeling of soils in getechnical problems. We focus on applications of the constitutive models within the available numerical codes. Important issue of derivation of model parameters from the lab tests has also received considerable attention.

Objective

This course targets geotechnical engineers, who face these days more often the necessity of the numerical analysis in their practice. Understanding of the limitations of the built-in constitutive models is crucial for critical assessment of the results of numerical calculations, and, hence, for the conservative and cost efficient design of geotechnical structures. The purpose of this course has been to bridge the gap between the graduate courses in Geomechanics and those in Numerical Modeling. Traditionally, in many geotechnical programs, Geomechanics is not taught within the rigorous context of Continuum Mechanics. There is a good reason for that – the behavior of soils is very complex: it is more advantageous to explain it at a semi-empirical level, instead of scaring the students away with cumbersome mathematical models. However, when it comes to Numerical Modeling courses, these are often taught using commercially available finite elements (e.g. ABAQUS, PLAXIS) or finite differences (e.g. FLAC) software, which utilize constitutive relationships within the Continuous Mechanics framework. Quite often students have to learn the challenging subject of constitutive modeling from a program manual!

Content

This course is introductory - by no means does it claim any completeness and state of the art in such a dynamically developing field as constitutive and numerical modeling of soils. Our intention is to achieve a basic understanding of conventional continuum mechanics approaches to constitutive and numerical modeling, which can serve as a foundation for exploring more advanced theories. We focus on applications of the constitutive models within the available numerical codes. Important issue of derivation of model parameters from the lab tests has also received considerable attention.

Resources