PLAXIS 3D — Practical Modelling and Soil–Structure Interaction
When two dimensions stop telling the truth
- Duration
- 2 days · 16 hours
- Level
- Beginner to intermediate
- Delivery
- Live, instructor-led
Bentley Training PartnerLed by a Bentley Qualified TrainerYour place is reserved as soon as you continue to payment.
Overview
This course develops practical 3D modelling skills for foundations, pile systems and excavations, over two days and sixteen instructional hours. Day 1 covers model development and foundation systems; Day 2 covers excavations, groundwater and specialist applications. Live demonstrations support the guided exercises and the interpretation of results. Previous PLAXIS 2D experience is helpful.
What you will be able to do
- Build and review basic 3D models
- Assess foundation and excavation interaction
- Extract structural forces
- Explain the assumptions behind your results
Course agenda
Day 1Model development and foundation systems
8 teaching hours- 60 min
Introduction to PLAXIS 3D
Software workflow, selection of 2D or 3D analysis, spatial geometry and loading, and soil–structure interaction.
- 90 min
Constitutive models and parameters
Soil model selection, strength and stiffness parameters, drainage behaviour, groundwater parameters and interpretation of site investigation data.
- 90 min
Geometry, mesh and initial conditions
Boreholes and stratigraphy, volumes, surfaces, structural elements, interfaces, boundary placement, local mesh refinement and initial stresses.
Guided exerciseBuild and check a 3D ground model.
- 120 min
Shallow foundations and settlement
Isolated footings and rafts, non-uniform loading, differential settlement and interaction between foundations.
Guided exerciseAnalyse a foundation on layered ground.
- 120 min
Piles, pile groups and piled rafts
Embedded beam and volume pile approaches, axial and lateral response, group interaction, load sharing and pile forces.
Guided exerciseAnalyse a prepared pile group or piled raft model.
Day 2Excavations, groundwater and specialist applications
8 teaching hours- 150 min
Deep excavations and shoring
3D excavation geometry, walls, anchors, struts and construction stages; corner effects, wall deflections and structural force extraction.
Guided exerciseAnalyse a staged excavation.
- 60 min
Adjacent structures and utilities
Effects on existing foundations, surcharge loading, groundwater-related movement and utility protection.
Guided exerciseAdd an adjacent foundation and compare results.
- 90 min
Groundwater, dewatering and consolidation
Hydraulic boundaries, drawdown, pore pressure changes and consolidation.
DemonstrationAssess groundwater control and settlement around an excavation.
- 120 min
Slope stability and ground improvement
3D failure mechanisms, strength reduction, treatment geometry and load transfer.
DemonstrationReview prepared slope and ground improvement models.
- 60 min
Verification, results and reporting
Mesh and domain sensitivity, convergence, cross sections, contours, structural forces and result export.
ReviewDiscuss modelling assumptions and final questions.
Who this is for
- Geotechnical and structural engineers working on foundations, pile systems and excavations
- Foundation designers working with pile groups and piled rafts
- Engineers assessing construction impact on adjacent structures and utilities
Prerequisites
- Basic soil mechanics knowledge
- A laptop (a student PLAXIS licence is included)
- Previous PLAXIS 2D experience is helpful
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 3D 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.
Do I need to take the PLAXIS 2D course first?
It is not required, but previous PLAXIS 2D experience is helpful.
