101-0368-00L  Constitutive and Numerical Modelling in Geotechnics

SemesterSpring Semester 2021
LecturersA. Puzrin, D. Hauswirth
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentThe priority is given to the students with Major in Geotechnics.

It uses computer room with a limited number of computers and software licenses.


AbstractThis 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.
ObjectiveThis 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!
ContentThis 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.
Lecture notesHandout notes
Example worksheets
Literature- Puzrin, A.M. (2012). Constitutive Modelling in Geomechanics: Introduction. Springer Verlag. Heidelberg, 312 p.