Bentley Advanced Course on Computational Geotechnics

The well established advanced course for experienced PLAXIS users is organised every year as a continuation of the basic course on Computational Geotechnics. One of the aims of this course is to teach the application of advanced soil models. Whereas the basic course concentrates on the Mohr-Coulomb model, attention is now fully focused on the Hardening Soil model and the extension to include the small-strain stiffness. Another aim of the course is to teach the numerical analysis of geotechnical problems, such as excavations, soil improvements, embankments and foundations. On solving practical problems the latest versions of both PLAXIS 2D and PLAXIS 3D will be used. 

Register Now!

SOFTWARE
During the advanced course we will use the latest version of PLAXIS 2D that follows the same modelling concepts that were already introduced in PLAXIS 3D. The participant is expected to have experience using the PLAXIS software.

LECTURES
Experts with a thorough theoretical background and an extensive experience in practical computer modelling have been invited to give lectures and to prepare exercises as well as case studies.

HARD SOILS
On the first day of the course, the focus will be on elasto-plastic soil models and the simulation of standard laboratory tests. Special attention will be given to undrained soil behaviour, small-strain stiffness and parameter sets for different soils. To include smallstrain soil stiffness the Hardening Soil model has been extended to the HS-Small model, as will be explained in full detail. The titles of the lectures are:

• Concepts of plasticity - Prof. Helmut Schweiger
• Shear and density hardening of soils - Prof. Thomas Benz
• HS and HSsmall model - Prof. Thomas Benz
• Parameters of the HS-small model - Prof. Thomas Benz

SOFT SOILS
The second day will be fully dedicated to soft soils. Aspects of excavations in soft soil and embankments with creep behaviour and its interaction with consolidation as well as large deformation analysis will be addressed. Additionally the use of drains and soil  improvement will be discussed. The second day lectures are:

• Critical State Soil Mechanics - Prof. Helmut Schweiger
• Soft Soil model - Dennis Waterman
• Creep behaviour - Dr. Martino Leoni
• Soft Soil Creep model - Dr. Martino Leoni
• Soil improvement - Prof. Helmut Schweiger

FOUNDATIONS
The third day opens with lectures on the modelling of foundations, with particular attention to raft and pile-raft foundations. Furthermore, the PLAXIS 3D program is introduced and used for exercises on raft and piled raft foundations.

• Shallow foundations - Dr. Yasser El-Mossallamy
• Using PLAXIS 3D - Dennis Waterman
• Analysis of piles - Dr. Yasser El-Mossallamy
• Piled rafts - Dr. Yasser El-Mossallamy
• Embedded piles - Dennis Waterman

FORMAT
The program format consists of three days, which are arranged in intensive session blocks, allowing for a compact and time effective course. All days include a morning and an extended afternoon session ending with dinner. The blocks all contain two full 45min lectures and a 60min. exercise with full tutoring. On Wednesday afternoon the course ends with a dinner.

COST
The cost of the Advancedd course is €1450 exc VAT and includes all lunches and dinners. The course fee also includes a full set of instruction manuals and the use of a computer.
Hotel accommodation at the Hotel Schiphol should be booked by the participants directly with the hotel.

Register Now!