3D Features

 

Input Features

BEAMS
Foundations may involve structural objects like walls, floors and beams. A special type of beam element can be used to model slender one-dimensional objects with a significant flexural rigidity. The stiffness of these elements is defined using elastic stiffness properties or non-linear elastic deformation curves.

VOLUME ELEMENTS
Quadratic 15-node wedge elements are available to model the deformations and stresses in the soil. Due to non-horizontal soil stratigraphy, these elements may degenerate once to 13-node volume elements or twice to 10-node tetrahedral elements.

AUTOMATIC MESH GENERATION
The Plaxis 3D Foundation program allows for an automatic generation of unstructured 2D finite element meshes based on the top view. The 2D Mesh generator is a special version of the Triangle generator. There are options for global and local mesh refinement. From this 2D mesh, a 3D mesh is automatically generated, taking into account the soil stratigraphy and structure levels as defined in the bore holes and work planes.

WORK PLANES
Structures are defined in horizontal work planes. Multiple work planes can be defined to create complex foundations, multi-storey basements and relevant parts of the upper structure.

BORE HOLES
Soil layers are defined by means of bore holes. Multiple bore holes can be placed in the geometry to define a non-horizontal soil stratigraphy or an inclined ground surface. Plaxis automatically interpolates layer and ground surface positions in between the bore holes.

GRAPHICAL INPUT OF PROJECTS
A project geometry is modeled using a top view approach. The input of soil data, structures, construction stages, loads and boundary conditions is based on convenient CAD drawing procedures, which allows for a detailed and accurate modeling of the major geometry. From this geometry a 3D finite element mesh is generated.

WALLS AND FLOORS
Special plate elements can be used to model raft foundations, basements, walls and floors of buildings, as well as other parts of structures. The behavior of these elements is defined using elastic stiffness properties or non-linear elastic deformation curves (M-ê and N-å diagrams).

LOADS
Plaxis 3D Foundation allows for various types of loads (point loads, line loads, distributed loads) that could be applied in the model. Different loads and load levels can be activated independently in each construction stage. Soil Behavior:
   
PILES
Circular and square piles can be defined using a pile designer. Solid piles are composed of volume elements whereas hollow piles are composed of wall elements. Pile-soil interaction can be modeled using interfaces around the pile.
   
INTERFACES
These joint elements are automatically added to walls to allow for a proper modeling of soil-structure interaction. Interfaces may be used to simulate, for example, the thin zone of intensely shearing material at the contact between a wall and the surrounding soil. Values of interface friction angle and adhesion that are not necessarily the same as the friction angle and cohesion of the surrounding soil and may be assigned separately to these elements.

Soil behavior

MOHR-COULOMB MODEL
This robust and simple non-linear model is based on soil parameters that are known in most practical situations. Not all non-linear features of soil behavior are included in this model, however. The Mohr-Coulomb model may be used to compute realistic bearing capacities and collapse loads of footings, as well as other applications in which the failure behavior of the soil plays a dominant role.

HARDENING SOIL MODEL
As a general second-order model, an elasto-plastic type of hyperbolic model is available, which is called the Hardening Soil model. This model allows for plastic compaction (cap hardening) as well as plastic shearing due to deviatoric loading (friction hardening). In comparison with the Mohr-Coulomb model the unloading behavior of the soil is better taken into account. The Hardening Soil model may be used to calculate realistic pressures below basements and raft foundations and behind soil retaining structures. More detailed information on this model can be found in the Material Models Manual.
   
STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR
Structural behavior may be defined as linear elastic material orthotropy or as non-linear elastic force-deformation curves. This applies to beams, walls, floors and springs. Geometric orthotrophy of plates with a particular profile can also be emulated to a certain extent.
   
STEADY-STATE PORE PRESSURE
Complex pore pressure distributions may be generated on the basis of the input of water levels or pore pressure distributions in the bore holes. Plaxis 3D Foundation is a finite element package intended for the three-dimensional deformation analysis of foundation structures. Foundations form the interaction between an upper structure and the soil. Settlements depend on local soil conditions and on the construction method. Especially for pile-raft foundations there is an important interplay between the pile, the raft and the soil to support the forces from the upper structure. In this interplay deformations are a key factor. Such a situation can only be analyzed effectively by means of three-dimensional finite element calculations in which proper models are incorporated to simulate soil behavior and soil-structure interaction. The Plaxis 3D Foundation program offers these facilities. A brief summary of the most important features is presented below.
   
EXCESS PORE PRESSURE
Plaxis distinguishes between drained and undrained soils to model permeable sands as well as almost impermeable clays. Excess pore pressures are computed when undrained soil layers are subjected to loading. Calculation Features:
 

Calculation features

ARC-LENGTH CONTROL
This feature enables accurate computations of collapse loads and failure mechanisms to be carried out. In conventional load-controlled calculations the iterative procedure breaks down as soon as the load is increased beyond the peak load. With arc-length control, however, the applied load is scaled down to capture the peak load and any residual load.
   
PREVIEW OPTION
A convenient preview option is available to check model and calculation settings in a graphical 3D environment. Since 3D calculations can be quite time consuming, it is important to check the model carefully before starting the calculation process.
   
STAGED CONSTRUCTION:
This Plaxis feature enables a realistic simulation of construction and excavation processes by activating and deactivating clusters of elements, application of loads, changing of water pressure distributions, etc. This procedure allows for a realistic assessment of stresses and displacements as caused, for example, by the construction and loading of a foundation.
   
AUTOMATIC LOAD STEPPING
The Plaxis 3D Foundation program can be run in an automatic step-size selection mode. This avoids the need for users to select suitable load increments for non-linear calculations by themselves and it guarantees an efficient and robust calculation process.
 

Output features

VIEW OPTIONS
By default, a 3D model in the output program is presented in perspective view, and can be freely oriented using the arrow keys. In work planes the x-y plane can be viewed. In addition, cross sections can be defined to view the output in two dimensions, perpendicular to the x-y plane.
   
PARTIAL GEOMETRY
To enhance the ‘inside’ visualization of a 3D model, parts of the geometry can be selected as transparent.

The Plaxis postprocessor has enhanced 3D graphical features for displaying computational results. Exact values of displacements, stresses, strains and structural forces can be obtained from the output tables. Plots and tables can be send to output devices or to the Windows®‚ clipboard to export them to other software. In addition to the 2D version of Plaxis the following output features are available in Plaxis 3D Foundation: