Program Overview

Soil Modelling and Numerical Methods

Overview

In this module, students will learn about the advantages and limitations of soil behaviour models, cover ways of selecting suitable soil parameters, use finite/discrete element software for a thorough understanding of soil modelling, and apply automation to software using a Python-based remote scripting interface.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will have:

• The ability to describe the basic features of commonly used models of soil behaviour.
• The ability to understand the advantages and limitations of different models of soil behaviour and to select the appropriate soil parameters.
• The ability to understand the fundamental concepts of unsaturated soil mechanics, including the different types of suctions and the soil-water characteristic curve, and their application to geotechnical systems.
• The ability to use a finite element program to analyse a wide range of geotechnical problems such as offshore foundation or embankment loading situations.
• The ability to understand the fundamentals and computational methods of discrete element modelling.
• The ability to understand the benefits of automating numerical analysis and to use scripting to automate basic tasks in a geotechnical finite element program.

Course Agenda

This module is taught over a two-week period. Learning will be a combination of:

• Presentations
• Directed reading
• Specially prepared notes on the principles of numerical modelling in geotechnical engineering
• Small group teaching exercises
• Guided tutorials on relevant software
• Practical computer sessions providing real-world examples of taught theory

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