PLAXIS 2D

• Create FE models quickly and efficiently
  CAD-like drawing capabilities enables you to rapidly create precise models while leveraging the application’s geometry. A wide range of constitutive soil models are developed to closely simulate the behaviors exhibited in various geomaterial for a realistic prediction of stresses and deformations.

• Simulate various types of soil and rock behavior
  Constitutive models, that range from simple linear to advanced, highly nonlinear models, provide the ability to predict movement for the type of ground found at the site.

• Achieve consistently accurate results
  The robust calculation procedures of PLAXIS 2D are well proven, which means calculations will converge to provide you with accurate results. Multi-core calculations and a 64-bit kernel allows functionality with even the largest and most complex models.

• Conduct powerful and versatile post processing
  The PLAXIS Output program provides you a full suite of visualization applications to check the details of underground soil-structure models. Display forces, displacements, stresses, and flow data in a variety of ways, including contour, vector, and iso-surface plots. Use cross section capabilities to inspect areas of interest in greater detail and enhance plotting by copying tables from other software.

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• 2D Geotechnical Dynamic Modeling
  Analyze the effects of man-made or natural seismic vibrations in soil. Perform dynamic analyses in a user-friendly, efficient, and accurate way regardless of the vibration source or scale. Accurately calculate the effects of vibrations with a dynamics analysis when the frequency of the dynamic load is higher than the natural frequency of the medium. Low-frequency vibrations can normally be calculated with a pseudo-static analysis by default available in PLAXIS. PLAXIS 2D Ultimate also allows for performing a ground response analysis, and liquefaction analysis using the PM4Sand and UBCSand models.
  
• 2D Geotechnical Groundwater Flow Analysis
  We all know that taking groundwater flow into account in your geotechnical, environmental, and hydrological engineering projects is critical. Go beyond the default options of steady-state groundwater flow analysis of PLAXIS 2D Advanced. Perform time-dependent groundwater analysis and simulate the unsaturated, time-dependent, and anisotropic behavior of soil, as well as simultaneously calculate changes in pore pressures and deformation by performing a fully-coupled flow-deformation analysis. 
  
• 2D Geotechnical Thermal Modeling
  Integrate thermal analysis seamlessly with PLAXIS 2D Ultimate. PLAXIS 2D Ultimate is equipped with specialized capabilities to deal with changing soil properties due to temperature change, enabling engineers to anticipate and react to potential stability issues, such as foundation challenges in arctic areas. When the effects of heat flow on the hydraulic and the mechanical behavior of soils and structures need to be taken into account in geotechnical designs, you can count on PLAXIS. Plus, if you need full thermal-hydro-mechanical coupling, the PLAXIS 2D Ultimate is exactly what you will need. 

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What does PLAXIS mean? What is PLAXIS used for?

Plaxis is a computer application that performs finite element analyses (FEA) within the realm of geotechnical engineering, including deformation, stability and water flow. The name PLAXIS comes from PLastic and AXISymmetry, indicating the geometric types handled in the original code of the software application.

What is the difference between the various PLAXIS 2D products?

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Where can I find PLAXIS 2D tutorial?

Whilst lots of PLAXIS 2D tutorials can be found on Bentley Communities, here are some FREE PLAXIS 2D learning resources available at Virtuosity, a Bentley Company.

What is interface in PLAXIS? 

By applying interface elements PLAXIS users can simulate the interaction between a structure and soil. While without an interface no relative displacement (slipping/gapping) will be possible between structure and soil.

When interface applied, node pairs will be created at the interface of structure and soil. Each node pair consists of two nodes - one belongs to the structure and the other belongs to the soil. The interaction between these two nodes consists of two elastic-perfectly plastic springs. One elastic-perfectly plastic spring to model the gap displacement and one elastic-perfectly plastic spring to model slip displacement.

Where can I get PLAXIS 2D training or PLAXIS course?

If you want to receive tailored training or attend a PLAXIS 2D course that is specific to your project requirement, Virtuosity offers extra training and mentoring services. You can choose from tailor-made training, on-demand learning, consulting services, mentoring and more. Learn more about Expert Services at Virtuosity here.

What is the price of PLAXIS 2D? How much does PLAXIS cost?

A practitioner license of PLAXIS 2D costs $3,200 USD, PLAXIS 2D Advanced costs $4,000, PLAXIS 2D Ultimate costs $5,700 and PLAXIS 2D WorkSuite costs $6,150 USD at Virtuosity.com. Prices vary per region. To see the price in your region, select your region at the bottom of the page. While there are various types of licensing available, a common choice is the 12-month practitioner license offered through Virtuosity, Bentley's eCommerce store. When you purchase through Virtuosity you get a Virtuoso Subscription which means you get both the software AND the training, expert services, and custom mentoring you need to get started quickly.

Expert services and tailored training, when and where you need it.

At Virtuosity, we understand how important it is to get the most out of every working moment. You need to limit downtime, and use each software application to its fullest potential.  There is just no time to spare. That's why every software purchase through Virtuosity comes as a bundle with “Keys” or credits that can be redeemed for expert services and training, so you can get started right away. Learn more about our training options.

Each practitioner license comes with a number of "Keys" and you can always purchase additional "Keys" as you go. 

There is a menu of expert services and training options that you can redeem your "Keys" for:

Modeling

• Spatial variation of preconsolidation
• Tunnel deconfinement
• CAD export
• Nonlinear geogrids: Elastoplastic (N-ε) and Viscoelastic (time-dependent)
• Cross and parallel permeability in interfaces
• Polar and rectangular array
• Nonlinear embedded beam row (M-ĸ diagrams)
• Easy definition of rock bolts in Tunnel Designer
• Unlimited combinations of point forces and distributed loads

Material Models

Calculations

• Field stress initial calculation type
• Well-proven and robust calculation procedures
• Multicore computing
• Include or exclude soil clusters and/or structural elements in safety analysis
• 64-bit calculation kernel
• Facilities for steady-state groundwater flow calculations, including flow-related material parameters, boundary conditions, drains, and wells
• Distinguish between a plastic calculation, consolidation, and safety analysis
• Automatic regeneration of construction stages

Results

• Load-displacement curves
• Use the Output command line to display plots, or save plots with user-defined resolution
• Select number of significant digits displayed
• PLAXIS 2D Viewer
• Automatic centerline extraction for structural forces plots
• Structural forces in Volumes (Tunnel lining, retaining wall)
• Resulting Force View
• Preview Calculation results
• Plot Annotations

Usage

• Rock-mass response and surface settlements due to tunneling, mining, or reservoir depletion
• Slope stability and seepage analysis for large earth dams, tailing dams, embankments, and pit mines
• Predicting differential settlements of buildings adjacent to excavation pits
• Stability of and seepage into excavation pits, lateral displacements of diaphragm walls
• Calculate necessary consolidation time for pore pressure dissipation in undrained loading problems
• Bearing capacity and foundation settlement analysis for high-rise buildings, LNG tanks, and other structures

Subscription Entitlement Service Supports

• Provides a universal ID to link together all activity within Bentley applications
  • Manage license entitlements at a user level, without requiring activation keys or hardware dongles
  • Access personal learn material, paths and history, timely product related news, automatic product updates, and notifications

Operating System
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Windows 8 Professional 64-bit
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

Graphics Card
Required: GPU with 256 MB OpenGL 1.3

Recommendation: Avoiding simple onboard graphics chips in favor of a discrete GPU from the Nvidia GeForce or Quadro range with at least 128-bit bus and 1 GB of RAM, or equivalent solution from ATI/AMD.

Processor
Required: Dual Core CPU, Recommended: Quad Core CPU

Memory
Recommended for 2D: minimum 4 GB. Large projects may require more.

Hard Disk
Minimum 2 GB free space on the partition where the WindowsTEMP directory resides, and 2 GB free space on the partition where projects are saved. Large projects may require significantly more space on both partitions.

For best performance, ensure that the TEMP directory and the project directory reside on the same partition.

Video
Required: 1024 x 768 pixels, 32-bit color palette, Recommended: 1920 x 1080 pixels, 32-bit color palette