Finite Elements in Geotechnical Engineering
Course Summary
This Geo-Institute seminar describes a powerful suite of finite element programs suitable for analysis of a broad range of practical problems of interest to geotechnical engineers. Routine geotechnical predictions relating to foundations, slopes and soil/structure interaction performance can often be obtained from charts or 'standard' methods of analysis, but when complex boundary conditions or combinations of material properties are encountered the classical approaches are severely limited. The finite element method is ideally suited for modeling these more complex problems and most programs can now be run comfortably on a personal computer. After a brief introduction on the finite element method, the course will concentrate on some practical applications of the finite element method, e.g. seepage, settlements and slope stability.
Instructor
D. Vaughan Griffiths, P.E.
Dr. Griffiths is Professor of
Civil Engineering within the Geotechnical Research Center at the Colorado School
of Mines.
He received an M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering from UC
Berkeley and B.Sc., Ph.D., and D.Sc. degrees in Civil Engineering and
Geomechanics from the University of Manchester in England.
He has over 20
years experience of research and consulting in the field of finite element
modeling in geotechnical engineering.
He co-authored “Programming the
Finite Element Method”, Wiley, 1998, 3rd Edition.
Course Description
This Geo-Institute course describes a powerful suite of finite element
programs suitable for analysis of a range of practical problems of interest to
geotechnical engineers. Routine geotechnical predictions relating to
foundations, slopes, and soil/structure interaction performance can often be
obtained from charts or 'standard' methods of analysis, but when complex
boundary conditions or combinations of material properties are encountered the
classical approaches are severely limited. The finite element method is ideally
suited for modeling these more complex problems and most programs can now be run
comfortably on a personal computer. After a brief introduction on the finite
element method, the training course will concentrate on some practical
applications of the finite element method, (e.g., seepage, settlements, and
slope stability).
Seminar Benefits
- Gain insight into the workings of the finite element method and the basic architecture of the programs
- Learn the advantages and the possible pitfalls of the finite element method as applied to geotechnical problems
- Receive a complete set of finite element source codes relating to the geotechnical applications covered in the course as well as others in the general area of engineering analysis (the suite contains about 50 main programs and over 100 subroutines for solving a wide range of engineering problems)
- Leave the course with a powerful capability for solving both routine and complex geotechnical engineering problems
Special Features
Each participant will receive a copy of the book "Programming the Finite
Element Method" by I. M. Smith and D. V. Griffiths, 3rd Edition (Wiley, 1998).
You can also purchase a copy of this book at a discounted price at www.civilbooks.com.
Who Should Attend
This course will benefit engineers either personally involved in, or managing
geotechnical analyses who wish to gain a better insight into the finite element
method and its application to geotechnical engineering problems.
Summary Outline
- Introduction to the Software and Course
Materials
- Finite element basics
- Weighted residuals
- Trial solutions, shape functions
- 1-D elasticity
- Element and global matrices, assembly
- Boundary conditions
- Settlement Analysis
- 2-D elasticity
- Code validation
- Introduction to programs p51 and p54
- Steady Seepage Analysis
- Finite element solutions of Laplace's equation
- Introduction to program p73 and p74
- Consolidation Analysis
- Coupled and uncoupled formulations
- Algorithms for transient analysis
- Introduction to program p81
- Choice of Soil Properties for Finite Element
Analysis
- Laboratory and field data
- Compressibility and moduli
- Permeability and coefficient of consolidation
- Shear strength parameters
- Failure criteria for soils
- Introduction to elasto-plasticity (Mohr-Coulomb)
- Slope Stability Analysis
- Introduction to program slope1
- Code validation and examples
Attendees’ Comments
"Excellent introduction to FE method, yet practical and
the right balance
of theory and tools for geotechnical
engineers. Reviewing programs to
actually do analysis
in seepage, elasticity, slope stability, review of
soil
parameters were the best aspects of this course."
-Jeffery L.
Fouse
Reitz & Jens, Inc., St. Louis, MO
"The seminar was
technically comprehensive and was
extremely well organized and well
presented. This is one
of the best seminars I have attended."
-Larry
Nottinggham
Triad Engineering, Inc., St. Albans, WV
"A complex
topic introduced in an organized manner. An
excellent presentation of the
applicability of the methods."
-Donald Eskridge, Principal
St. Louis,
MO
"I came away with a refresher in theory, a full set of
source
codes, and an introduction to several programs. I am ready
to apply
what I have learned from this course."
-John D. Cannon
Tri-State
Testing & Drilling, Ringgold, GA
"An in-depth primer into FE
method and its application to
geotechnical problems. Presentation of 'the
model' and
then explaining the methodology of generating the data
to
compose the model was a helpful aspect of this course."
-Homer W. Parker,
Senior Engineer
Parker Engineering LLC, Round Rock, TX
