Geotechnical Analysis - Modelling Structural Elements

This is the second of two courses hosted on the NAFEMS learning hub on Geotechnical analysis. The first course, "Setting Up a Geotechnical Analysis", focusses on the decision-making process when setting up a geotechnical numerical model. The second course covers how to add structural elements in soil-structure interaction problems appropriately. Both courses are software-neutral and are aimed at novice users of the software in both academia and industry. It is suggested that the "Setting Up a Geotechnical Analysis" is completed prior to tackling the

The course consists of five lectures on modelling structural elements, including the different element types and modelling concrete and steel materials. There is also a worked example on deriving input parameters and interpreting output for structural elements in plane strain and axisymmetric models.

All the lectures use videos with 3D graphics and a commentary by our tutor to illustrate many of the complex geometrical concepts that are explained in this course in an engaging way.

On completing this course you will be able to prepare geotechnical numerical analyses more confidently, avoiding many of the common errors of novice users. You will gain valuable skills in geotechnical numerical analysis – a method whose use in geotechnical design is growing rapidly.

Course Author – Dr. Andrew Lees

He is Founder of the geotechnical analysis consultancy Geofem Ltd and Global Application Technology Manager at Tensar, a Division of CMC. He has extensive experience of both the application and teaching of geotechnical numerical analysis