PELATIHAN

KOMPUTASI GEOTEKNIK
PENGANTAR MATERI
Hanggoro Tri Cahyo A.

Lab. Mekanika Tanah - Jurusan Teknik

Sipil Universitas Negeri Semarang
(UNNES)
2008
Decision Process
 Tips #1
“Know” the Answer
Before You Start with
a Finite Element (FE) Analysis
 Without knowledge of what the answer “should be”,
we have little basis to decide whether the FE model is
a reasonable representation of reality or not
How does one obtain an answer before
running a FE analysis ?

Level 1 – Simplified Analysis

Semi-empirical calculations from experience and
local correlations

Level 2 – Standard Analysis

Standard practice methods from geotechnical
books, code and local experience
Level 3 – Advanced Analysis
Advanced numerical methods including finite
element, finite defference and boundary element
Why do a FE analysis, if one
must know the answer …
„ FE analysis can remove
many simplifications
and assumptions used
in simpler analyses.

„ FE analysis can help

refine the answer to
obtain a more precise
prediction.

„ FE analysis can give

better insight into the
behavior of the
problem.
 Tips #2
Know the
”Staged Construction”
 Tips #3
A strong understanding of
effective stress principles and
soil behavior is essential to
anyone doing FE analysis of
geotechnical problems for
design
Mohr-Coulomb Model : τ = c’ + (σ-u).tan ϕ’
It might be compared to a car. You do
not have to know how everything works
inside to be a good driver. But you will
on the other hand never be a good
driver without learning how to drive.

„ an in-depth understanding of soil

mechanics and the theory behind
FEM.
„ An appreciation of the limitations of
constitutive models
 Tips #4
Focusing more
on obtaining
meaningful
input
information
 Tips #5
How their software works ?
Tips #6
PLAXIS Disclaimer
„ PLAXIS is a finite element program for geotechnical applications in which
soil models are used to simulate the soil behaviour. The PLAXIS code
and its soil models have been developed with great care. Although a lot of
testing and validation have been performed, it cannot be guaranteed that the
PLAXIS code is free of errors. Moreover, the simulation of geotechnical
problems by means of the finite element method implicitly involves some
inevitable numerical and modeling errors. The accuracy at which reality is
approximated depends highly on the expertise of the user regarding
the modelling of the problem, the understanding of the soil models and
their limitations, the selection of model parameters, and the ability to
judge the reliability of the computational results. Hence, PLAXIS may
only be used by professionals that possess the aforementioned expertise.
The user must be aware of his/her responsibility when he/she uses the
computational results for geotechnical design purposes. The PLAXIS
organisation cannot be held responsible or liable for design errors that
are based on the output of PLAXIS calculations.