This blog is a part of the series: Your Guide for Soil Improvement with PLAXIS  Soil improvement is a critical process in geotechnical engineering, aimed at modifying soil properties to enhance performance. This technique is commonly used to increase load-bearing capacity, control settlement, and reduce the potential for liquefaction. PLAXIS, a finite element analysis software, is extensively used for modelling such improvements, especially column-based techniques. The primary goals of column-based soil improvement include: Controlling settlement: Managing vertical displacement to ensure the stability and serviceability of structures. Enhancing load-bearing capacity: Strengthening soil to handle larger loads. Reducing liquefaction potential: Minimizing the risk of soil turning liquid under seismic activity or heavy vibrations. Column-based Soil Reinforcement Column-based reinforcement involves inserting rigid or flexible columns into the soil to enhance its properties. PLAXIS can model several reinforcement techniques, including: Stone columns Sand compaction piles Micropiling and rigid inclusions Jet grouting These techniques vary in terms of soil displacement and the type of material used for reinforcement. For instance, stone columns displace soil, while rigid inclusions do not. Modelling Techniques in PLAXIS PLAXIS provides various approaches to model column-based reinforcement: Homogeneous block 2D model: This simplest method requires calibrating the equivalent stiffness of the

This blog is a part of the series: Your Guide for Soil Improvement with PLAXIS  Prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) are essential tools in geotechnical engineering, particularly for improving the properties of soft soils. By facilitating drainage and accelerating consolidation, PVDs play a critical role in the stability and settlement of soil. The use of PLAXIS for modelling drains allows engineers to predict and analyse their behaviour effectively. This article will guide you through the process of modelling PVDs in PLAXIS, covering key aspects such as geometry setup, material properties, boundary conditions, and result interpretation. What Are Prefabricated Vertical Drains? PVDs are geosynthetic materials installed vertically into soft soils to accelerate the consolidation process by providing efficient drainage paths for excess pore water pressure. This technology is commonly used in large-scale infrastructure projects, where rapid settlement and soil stabilization are critical. Why Model PVDs in PLAXIS? Numerical modelling of PVDs using PLAXIS offers several benefits. It helps engineers understand the behaviour of PVD-improved subsoil, predicts settlement, monitors pore pressure dissipation, and ensures overall stability. Moreover, the efficiency of PVDs can be significantly enhanced by applying techniques like vacuum consolidation, which can also be modelled in PLAXIS. Key Steps in PVD Modelling

This blog is a part of the series: Your Guide for Soil Improvement with PLAXIS  Introduction  Soil improvement refers to the process of modifying the physical properties of soil to improve its load-bearing capacity, reduce settlement, and mitigate the risk of liquefaction. These improvements are vital for the construction of structures like buildings, bridges, and embankments, where soil stability is crucial. Some common soil improvement techniques include: Compaction: Enhancing soil density through mechanical means. Grouting: Injecting materials like cement or chemicals into the soil to increase its strength. Stabilization with Additives: Mixing soil with lime, cement, or other additives to improve its properties. Deep mixing: Combining soil with binders at depth to form a stronger material. Drainage improvement: Reducing water content in soil to enhance stability. Applications of Numerical Modelling in Soil Improvement Numerical modelling in PLAXIS allows engineers to simulate various soil improvement methods and predict their effectiveness. This process is crucial for designing safe and cost-effective solutions. Here are some key applications that can be undertaken with numerical analysis: Static and Dynamic Compaction Methods: Static methods: Such as preloading with vertical drains, these methods require coupled consolidation analysis to model the slow application of load and soil consolidation

This blog is a part of the series Tunnel your way to success with PLAXIS. Introduction  This is the second blog covering the modelling of the Traditional Method of Madrid in PLAXIS 2D and 3D. For further details on the method, please refer to the webinar (Traditional Tunnelling Method: Application of MTM with PLAXIS 2D/3D) and blog 1 (PLAXIS 2D – Traditional Tunnelling Method: Application of MTM). In this paper a 3D Approach to Madrid Traditional Method will be presented. However, a 3D model is not always possible due to project constraints, such as budget and deadlines. This paper aims, firstly, to enhance the current design approaches, via a new 2D approach based on a calibration with a 3D SSI model; secondly, to contribute for a more informed design when a 3D model is not available; and thirdly, to contribute to more sustainable designs without compromising safety and quality. SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION Models   Firstly, it is necessary to create two models: a three-dimensional and a two-dimensional SSI model, based on the first one. To generate both models, the finite element calculation programme PLAXIS 3D and 2D were used, respectively. The geology for both models is covered in Blog 1 and

This blog is a part of the series Tunnel your way to success with PLAXIS. Introduction  The Traditional Method of Madrid is a method for tunnel construction that has been used for tunnelling in the Madrid Metro network since 1917 (Melis Maynar, M. 2012). The method uses a distinctive excavation sequence that comprises the division of the crown in a series of small excavations that are successively supported by a combination of timber struts, steel waler beams and timber planks during the excavation stage and directly followed by the permanent lining installation. The permanent lining is unreinforced casted concrete (typically C30/37); thus, no reinforcement is normally used. The construction of the walls and invert of the tunnel follow several metres behind, also in the same fashion as an unreinforced concrete permanent liner.  The multiple phases and diverse struct distribution of stresses around the tunnel excavation.  This article presents the methodology followed for the calibration of bidimensional models of tunnels undertaken by the TMM, via three-dimensional models. Furthermore, it discusses the assumptions and calculation strategies used to achieve an appropriate adjustment that permits the validation of 2D models, which can be used for early stages of a similar project.  The Traditional Method

Dr. Fermín Sanchez and his team was tasked with the construction of a highway from Tepic City to Puerto Vallarta City on the Western Coast of Mexico. In this case study, he encountered a significant mass of rock sliding close to a tunnel portal due to an open cut, which was caused by the re-activation of a geological fault.