TUTORIAL # 01
BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION
1.1. Introduction:
In this report, the bearing capability of a 10 × 10 m soil area supporting a 2 x 2 m footing is
assessed using PLAXIS 3D. Finding the highest load the soil can support without experiencing
undue settlement is the goal. In order to evaluate soil behavior under applied loads, PLAXIS 3D
enables comprehensive modeling and simulations. The analysis guarantees that settlement stays
within reasonable bounds. The measures performed are described in the study, which also shows
how PLAXIS 3D resolves important foundational difficulties.
1.2. Project Setting:
For in-depth investigation, the project was set up with ten nodes and a 5 × 5 m soil block. The
unit weight of water was set at 9.81 kN/m³ to precisely reflect gravitational force, and time units
were converted to seconds for accurate process tracking.
1.3. Define Soil Parameters:
Setting up the project was followed by the creation of the borehole and the definition of soil
parameters. The given assignment values were used to assign particular soil qualities. The soil
parameters were as follows: cohesiveness of 2.266 kN/m², elastic modulus of 20000.2 kN/m²,
internal friction angle of 30°, saturated unit weight of 17.02 kN/m³, unsaturated unit weight of
15.02 kN/m³, and Poisson's ratio of 0.3. The soil layers were represented by a 10-meter-deep
borehole, and the properties assigned to it made sure the model correctly reflected how the soil
behaved under load.
1.4. Define
Footing
Parameters:
A plate element
with the following
characteristics was
used to represent
the footing: a
foundation depth
of 1.5 m, a height
of 0.5 m, an elastic modulus of 23500000.16 kN/m² (showing stiffness), and a Poisson's ratio of
0.2 (for the lateral compression of concrete). By adjusting these parameters, the model was
guaranteed to appropriately depict the weight transfer from the footing to the underlying soil.
1.5 Prescribed Settlement:
To replicate actual soil settling, a prescribed settlement of 25 mm was put underneath the
footing. This method avoids excessive foundation sinking while assisting in assessing the
footing's carrying capacity.
1.6 Creating Mesh
I made a mesh that splits the model into smaller parts for in-depth examination in order to
increase precision and effectiveness. Since the footing is subjected to the most stress and needs
closer inspection, a finer mesh was used around it.
1.7 Creating phases:
I simulated the process step-by-step by setting various construction phases. This method reflects
the actual flow of a building project and helps see how loads gradually affect the soil.
1.8 Selecting Node:
I chose particular nodes around and beneath the footing to keep an eye on displacements and
stresses in key locations. By concentrating on the most crucial areas of the mode, this enables
improved tracking of the interaction between the soil and footing.
1.9 Running Analysis:
I created a displacement plot following the research to show how the earth and foundation
moved under load. To keep settlement within safe bounds, the plot identifies regions with a lot of
movement, especially close to the footing.
1.10 Force Deformation Graph:
I examined the connection between the footing's deformation and load. The plot clearly evaluates
the footing's safe bearing capacity by showing the highest force it can sustain before hitting the
25 mm settlement limit.
TUTORIAL # 02
BEARING CAPACITY OF RAFT FOUNDATION
2.1Introduction:
In order to examine the relationship between soil and structural components under load, this
course concentrated on utilizing PLAXIS 3D to create a 150 x 150 m raft foundation.
Displacements, stresses, and bending moments in floors, beams, columns, and walls were among
the important findings, which aided in simulating the behavior of genuine foundations and
evaluating structural stability.
2.2Project Setting:
To cover the drilling range, the project settings specified a soil geometry of 75 m × 75 m with a
depth of 40 m. As instructed, the groundwater level was fixed at two meters below the surface. at
maintain uniformity and provide a strong basis for precise modeling and outcomes, units were
set at meters and kilonewtons.
2.3 Define Soil Parameters:
Specific input values were used to define the qualities of the soil. The formula for the elastic
modulus was Esoil=20,000+R/100, R = 016. Additional characteristics included a Poisson's ratio
of 0.30, an angle of internal friction of 30.016°, cohesion of 10.023 kN/m², an unsaturated unit
weight of 17.016 kN/m³, and a saturated unit weight of 18.016 kN/m³. Realistic soil behavior
under loading situations was guaranteed by these criteria.
2.4Define Footing Parameters:
Accurate measurements and material characteristics of the foundation and structural components,
such as floors, walls, columns, and beams, were modeled. These figures were picked because
they accurately depicted how the structural elements behaved in terms of stress resistance and
load transmission.
2.5Prescribed Settlement:
The applied loads were as follows: 5.3+R/1000 kN for the floor, 685+R/1000 kN for the
walls, and 11,650+R/1000 kN for the columns.
In order to replicate the practical limitations of a foundation system, boundary conditions
were established that would stabilize the soil base and permit realistic displacement along the
sides.
2.6Creating Mesh:
To break the model up into smaller parts for a more accurate examination, I made a mesh. Since
the footing is subjected to the most stress, a finer mesh was used around it to ensure a thorough
analysis while preserving the accuracy and effectiveness of the simulation.
2.7Creating phases:
I simulated the process step-by-step by setting various construction phases. This phased method
mimics the development of an actual construction project by allowing for the observation of how
loads progressively alter the soil.
2.8Selecting Node:
At order to monitor stresses and displacements at strategic locations, I chose particular nodes
beneath and surrounding the footing. By concentrating on the most crucial areas of the model,
this aids in tracking the interaction between the soil and footing at crucial points.
2.9Running Analysis:
I created a displacement plot to illustrate how the earth and foundation moved under load after
completing the investigation. To keep settlement within safe bounds, the plot identifies areas of
substantial movement, especially close to the footing.
2.10 Force Deformation
Graph:
Lastly, I examined the
connection between the
footing's deformation
and the load on it. The
graphic clearly
illustrates the foundation's
load-carrying potential and
helps define the footing's
safe bearing capacity by
displaying the maximum
force it can tolerate.
TUTORIAL # 03
BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION
3.1 Introduction:
The main goal of this tutorial is to utilize PLAXIS 3D to create a finite element model (FEM) for
pile foundation analysis. Examining how skin friction, bending moment, and shear forces change
throughout the pile's length is the goal. To imitate real-world conditions, the project entails
specifying geometry, simulating staged construction under axial loading, and modeling soil and
piling parameters.
3.2Project Setting:
I established the fundamental characteristics in the project settings, establishing a 15 × 15 m soil
block as the work area and including 10 nodes for in-depth examination. To better track time-
dependent operations, time units were changed from days to seconds. In order to correspond with
the gravitational force of water, the unit weight of water (γwater) was also fixed at 9.81 kN/m³.
3.3 Define Soil Parameters:
For the clay and sand layers above and below the groundwater table, soil characteristics such as
unit weight, Poisson's ratio, and elastic modulus were determined. For precision, a particular
formula was used to compute the elastic modulus. R=016R and esoil=20,000+R/100. The soil
type (clay or sand) and saturation state (dry or saturated) were taken into consideration when
assigning Poisson's ratios.
Layer 1:
Layer 2:
Layer 3:
Layer 4:
3.4Define Pile Parameters:
The piles were modeled as beam elements with a diameter of 2 m and a length of 55 m. The
Poisson’s ratio for concrete was set to 0.2, reflecting the strength and stiffness of the material
used in pile construction.
3.5Application of Loading:
To represent the weight that the pile head must sustain, a 1000-ton load was imposed there. A
realistic simulation of soil-pile interaction under axial loads is ensured by allowing the sides to
deform freely while preventing vertical movement with fixed boundary conditions at the soil
base.
3.6Creating Mesh:
A medium-level mesh was selected to balance accuracy and computation time. It provided
enough detail around the pile and pile cap to capture stress concentrations, while keeping
computational demands manageable, ensuring reliable results without excessive processing
time.
3.7Creating phases:
Axial load was applied in the third phase, pile placement was represented in the second, and
geometry modeling was done in the first. The research is able to recreate actual construction
sequences thanks to this staged technique.
.
3.8 Selecting Node:
In order to monitor the variation of skin friction, bending moments, and shear forces with the
imposed load, key nodes along the pile length were chosen for investigation. This stage
guarantees accurate and significant outcomes.
3.9 Running Analysis and Deformed Shapes:
The displacement plot showed how the earth and piles deformed when the load was applied.
Horizontal displacements showed lateral pile movement brought on by the load or soil
characteristics, whilst vertical displacements shed light on foundation settlement.
TUTORIAL # 04
BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION
4.1 Introduction:
In This tutorial we modeled a pile foundation and examined how it behaved under load using
PLAXIS 3D. In an effort to comprehend how the pile would interact with the soil under actual
loading circumstances, the piles were represented as volume elements in order to investigate skin
friction, bending moments, and shear forces along the pile length.
4.2 Project Setting:
I created a 20 x 20 m soil block and added 10 nodes for in-depth analysis at strategic locations to
set up the model's basic parameters. I changed the time units from days to seconds and set the
unit weight of water (γwater) to 9.81 kN/m³ to correspond with the gravitational force of water in
order to guarantee accurate tracking of time-dependent processes.
4.3 Define Soil Parameters:
Both above and below the groundwater table, the clay and sand layers were given different soil
properties. Elastic modulus was computed using a particular formula, and other parameters such
as unit weight, Poisson's ratio, and elastic modulus were defined. The type of soil (clay or sand)
and its saturation state (dry or saturated) determined Poisson's ratios.
Layer 1:
Layer 2
Layer 3:
Layer 4:
4.4 Define Pile Parameters:
With a diameter of 2 m and a length of 55 m, the piles were represented as volume elements, and
the pile cap measured 7.5 m by 7.5 m. Concrete's Poisson's ratio was set at 0.2, and the pile cap's
elastic modulus was determined to be Epile cap. The strength and stiffness of the concrete used
in the pile and cap construction were taken into consideration when choosing these parameters.
4.5Application of Loading:
To mimic the weight it supports, a 3000 ton load was placed on the pile head. A realistic
simulation of soil-pile interaction under axial loading was ensured by allowing the sides to
deform freely while imposing fixed boundary conditions at the soil base to limit vertical
movement.
4.6Creating Mesh:
For this analysis, a medium-level mesh was chosen in order to balance computation time and
accuracy. It ensured dependable results without consuming excessive processing time by
providing sufficient detail around the pile and pile cap to capture stress concentrations.
4.7Creating phases:
Three stages made up the construction process: simulating actual construction sequences by
modeling the geometry, putting the pile and pile cap in place, and applying the axial load.
4.8 Selecting Node:
I chose particular important nodes along the pile's length for analysis in order to get precise
results. These nodes were selected to provide precise and significant results by monitoring the
variations in skin friction, bending moments, and shear forces along the pile under the applied
load. In conclusion, in order to ensure accurate and pertinent results, key nodes were chosen to
examine the variation of skin friction, bending moments, and shear forces.
4.9 Running Analysis and Deformed Shapes:
The displacement plot showed how the applied load caused the soil and piles to deform.
Horizontal displacements showed any lateral movement of the pile caused by the load or soil
characteristics, whereas vertical displacements shed light on the settlement of the foundation.
Understanding how the pile behaved in various scenarios required this analysis. In conclusion,
the displacement plot successfully displayed the soil and pile deformation patterns, emphasizing
the lateral movement of the pile and vertical settlement brought on by the load and soil
properties.