PLAXIS 2D — Practical Geotechnical Modelling
From soil parameters to a model you can defend
- Duration
- 2 days · 16 hours
- Level
- Beginner to intermediate
- Delivery
- Live, instructor-led
Bentley Training PartnerLed by a Bentley Qualified TrainerOpens an email to us with the course and date filled in. We reply to confirm your place and how to pay.
Overview
A live two-day course in practical geotechnical finite element modelling with PLAXIS 2D, with sixteen instructional hours, eight on each day. Day 1 covers fundamentals, foundations and settlement; Day 2 covers excavations, stability and groundwater. Principal cases are taught through guided modelling and specialist topics through prepared models, and the course closes with verification and technical reporting.
What you will be able to do
- Build and check basic 2D models
- Assess settlement and excavation behaviour
- Interpret stability and groundwater results
- Document your assumptions in a geotechnical modelling report
Course agenda
Day 1Fundamentals, foundations and settlement
8 teaching hours- 60 min
Introduction to PLAXIS 2D
Finite element fundamentals, software workflow, plane strain and axisymmetric idealisations, applications and modelling limitations.
- 90 min
Constitutive models and soil parameters
Mohr–Coulomb and Hardening Soil; introduction to HSsmall and Soft Soil. Strength, stiffness and permeability parameters, with drained and undrained behaviour.
- 90 min
Model building and initial conditions
Stratigraphy, geometry, groundwater, boundaries, interfaces, mesh refinement and initial stresses.
Guided exerciseBuild and check a layered ground model.
- 120 min
Shallow foundations and settlement
Footings and rafts, loading stages, bearing behaviour, total and differential settlement, and load–displacement curves.
Guided exerciseAnalyse a loaded foundation.
- 120 min
Consolidation and embankments
Excess pore pressures, drainage conditions, construction periods and time-dependent settlement.
Guided exerciseModel a staged embankment on compressible soil.
Day 2Excavations, stability and groundwater
8 teaching hours- 150 min
Shoring and retaining systems
Plates, anchors and struts; wall–soil interfaces; staged excavation; groundwater and surcharge effects; wall displacement, bending moments and support forces.
Guided exerciseAnalyse an anchored or braced excavation; discuss quay wall applications.
- 90 min
Slope stability
Strength reduction, failure mechanisms, groundwater effects and interpretation of the calculated factor of safety.
Guided exerciseAssess a slope and compare stabilisation options.
- 90 min
Seepage and dewatering
Hydraulic boundaries, permeability, groundwater flow, excavation drawdown, pore pressures and hydraulic gradients.
Guided exerciseAssess groundwater control using the excavation model.
- 90 min
Geogrids and ground improvement
Reinforced embankments, geogrid stiffness and interfaces; overview of stone columns, rigid inclusions and vertical drains; limitations of 2D idealisation.
DemonstrationCompare prepared ground treatment models.
- 60 min
Verification and reporting
Mesh and boundary sensitivity, convergence, analytical checks, result extraction and technical reporting.
ReviewDiscuss modelling assumptions and final questions.
Who this is for
- Geotechnical and civil engineers moving into numerical modelling
- Structural engineers who receive and must interpret PLAXIS output
- Graduates with soil mechanics background and no FEA experience
Prerequisites
- Basic soil mechanics knowledge
- A laptop (a student PLAXIS licence is included)
How the course runs
- Live online, taught in English
- Led by a Bentley Qualified Trainer
- Principal cases use guided modelling; specialist topics use prepared models
- Eight teaching hours each day, with breaks and lunch scheduled in addition
- Bring a laptop for the included student PLAXIS licence. Before the event, confirm your installed version and licence tier, including access to groundwater flow and consolidation features
Common questions
Do I need my own PLAXIS licence?
No. A student PLAXIS licence is included. Bring a laptop to install PLAXIS 2D on, and before the event confirm your installed version and licence tier, including access to groundwater flow and consolidation features.
Is the course live or pre-recorded?
Live online, taught in English by a Bentley Qualified Trainer, with guided modelling on the principal cases and prepared models for the specialist topics.
Which time zone are the sessions in?
Dubai time (GMT+4). The time zone is shown with each date.
Do I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate issued by Bentley, plus a Concept Dash certificate of completion.
How long is each day?
Eight teaching hours on each of the two days. Breaks and lunch are scheduled in addition to the teaching time.
