Influence of mesh size and interface element on geotechnical numerical modeling

Axisymmetric and plane strain are two favorite geotechnical engineering conditions. We use the analytical, experimental and numerical methods for the solution of the most geotechnical engineering. In this article we decision to use the numerical method and plaxis2d geotechnical finite element software for the solution of two over subjects and comparison the results with the analytical solution. Mesh size and the interface element are the main subjects that researched by us in this article. Circular foundation and strip footing on medium dense sand considered in this article for researching. The results showed the numerical model is sensitive to mesh size. Also the results showed the less value when we used the interface element. Analytical solution used to verify the results at future step that showed the higher value in status 1, that can relate to high value of internal angle of friction and sand’s dilation . ( for the ax symmetric condition state ) and the less value in status 2 that can be relationship to the unfavorite failure nature in status 2 ( the nature of failure is n’ t in the form of local or general for plane strain condition status ) . This means that the theoretical methods can n’ t is able to perform the perfect solution of these problems.

Keywords:

analytical , numerical , experimental , plane strain , axisymmetric , finite element method