Lecture 9 – Numerical methods

Learning Objectives
► Have a basic understanding of how numerical methods
such as the finite element method are used in excavation
system design.
► Understand the output information that can be obtained
from the finite element method.
► Understand the use of the Mohr Coulomb stress-strain
model and its limitations.

CV4110 1

Beam on springs
Wall is modelled as a beam and the soil as a series of
springs.

σ
σp

RIDO Kh

FREW displacement
REWARD σa

CV4110 2
CV4110 3

Effect of excavation width B?

Settlement?
CV4110 4
 Finite Element Method
The FEM is a computational procedure that may be used
to obtain an approximate solution to a boundary value
problem.
The governing mathematical equations are approximated
by a series of algebraic equations involving quantities that
are evaluated at discrete points within the region of
interest.
The FE equations are formulated and solved in such a
way as to minimize the error in the approximate solution.

Schweiger (2009)
CV4110 5

In any FEM analysis, the region (soil) to be analysed is

divided into a number of elements connected at their
common nodal points (nodes).

rectangular element triangular element

node
Displacements within the element are interpolated
from the nodal displacements

CV4110 6
The nodal forces are related to the nodal displacements by
equations which are set up and solved to find values of the
nodal displacements.

A polynomial equation is assumed for the nodal

displacements.
The order of the polynomial depends on the number of
nodes in the element.
The higher the number of nodes (the order of the
polynomial), the more accurate are the results and the
longer the computational time.

CV4110 7

CV4110 8
 CV4110 9

A constitutive model (eg. Mohr-Coulomb model) is used

to relate strains to stresses and hence forces.

CV4110 10
CV4110 11

CV4110 12
Force equilibrium leads to displacements at nodes and
hence strains and stresses.

By means of the FEM, it is possible to calculate the

complete stress in each element and the horizontal and
vertical movements of each node at each stage of
analysis. The analyses thus provides a very detailed
picture of stresses, strains and movements within the
region analysed.

CV4110 13

Example finite element mesh (triangular elements)

CV4110 14
Example finite element mesh (rectangular elements)
Line of symmetry

rollers

Pinned lower boundary

CV4110 15

CV4110 16
Soil Elements (Main properties)
Soil elastic modulus E
Poisson’s ratio υ
cohesion c, friction angle φ, dilation angle ψ

Wall/Piles – Beam elements

Main Properties: E, I (moment of inertia), A (cross
sectional area)

Strut/Anchor – Bar elements

Main Properties: E, A (cross sectional area)

CV4110 17

Information required:

Soil stratigraphy (layering)

Initial insitu stresses (before construction)
Strength and nonlinear stress-strain behaviour of the soil
and structural elements
Sequence of construction operations and other loading
conditions; preloading of struts
Boundary conditions
Groundwater table conditions (before and during
construction)

CV4110 18
Example finite element mesh (triangular elements)

Coarse mesh very fine mesh

CV4110 19

Many geotechnical analyses are performed in steps that

simulate a sequence of real events such as the successive
stages of a braced cut.
In using the FEM, the geometry can be changed from one
step to the next to simulate excavation or fill placement,
and strut installation or removal, by removing or adding
elements to the mesh.
The properties of the soil can also be changed from one
step to the next to simulate the changes in behaviour from
changes in the stresses within the soil mass.

CV4110 20
Braced Excavation Simulation

CV4110 21

Excavation Simulation

CV4110 22
Requires High quality soil data (E, Poisson’s ratio, unit
weight, cohesion, friction angle, Ko, permeability)
User must be knowledgeable and understand limitations of
the software

Provides information on earth pressures on the wall,

localized failure zones, pore pressures, effective stresses,
seepage, wall bending moments, wall displacements,
ground movements adjacent to excavation. and strut
forces.

CV4110 23

RL (m)
102.9
Fill Fill
99.9
E E
97.9

UMC UMC

85.4
F2 upper F2 upper
82.4

LMC
LMC
JGP1
72.1
LMC
F2 F2 lower
69.4
JGP2 OA N = 20
JGP 66.8
F2 lower
3 OA N = 30
64.7
OA N = 70
OA N = 20
60.0
OA N = 30
OA N = 100
OA N = 70

CV4110 24
 Half mesh versus full mesh

CV4110 25

Half mesh Full mesh

CV4110 26
The FEM compliments field instrumentation studies as the
results of the FEM analysis at each stage can be
compared with the measured results.
If the calculated FEM results are close to the measured
resutls to give confidence in the analytical results, the
FEM analyses can be used to infer information about
aspects of the behaviour that are not directly measured
(eg. wall bending moments).
Parametric studies can be performed to assess the
sensitivity of each parameter (eg. effect of soil E, cu
values on the wall deflection).

CV4110 27

CV4110 28
CV4110 29

CV4110 30
 CV4110 31

Plastic points

CV4110 32
Displacement vectors

CV4110 33

Soil Constitutive model

♦ Mohr-Coulomb model (elastic-perfectly plastic)

♦ Hyperbolic model Drained behaviour
♦ Cam-clay model
Undrained behaviour
Deviator stress
Deviator stress

strain strain
Mohr-Coulomb Hyperbolic model

CV4110 34
 Mohr-Coulomb model (elastic-perfectly plastic)

Soil elastic modulus E

Poisson’s ratio υ
cohesion c, friction angle φ, dilation angle ψ

Deviator stress

strain
Mohr-Coulomb

CV4110 35

Undrained Analysis involving Low Permeability Soils

For undrained analysis involving soil of low permeability

such as clay and silt, there are several ways to analyse
this problem depending on the soil model adopted and
whether total or effective stress is used.

One common method is the Mohr-Coulomb Model with

effective stress analysis or total stress analysis.

CV4110 36
 Mohr-Coulomb model

Method Plaxis material setting Parameters

A undrained c’, φ’, E’, υ’

B undrained cu, φu, E’, υ’

C total stress cu, φu, Eu, υu = 0.495

CV4110 37

Method A underestimates the excess pwp and

q overestimates the undrained shear strength in CU
test.
Mohr-Coulomb failure
line
cu (method A)

cu (method B and C)

Real soil
φ’
Confining stress
p’, p

CV4110 38
 Method A Method B

Source: NLC ER
CV4110 39

Method A

Method B

Source: NLC ER
CV4110 40