Course content

The course covers:

The background for development and application of soil models in computer tools by focusing on soil behavior, elasto-plastic theory, hypoplasticity, hyperplasticity using thermodynamics, some material models and their parameters; the theoretical framework for understanding the mechanical behavior of soils; some continuum mechanics principles; simple models based on Tresca and Coulomb with emphasis on shear hardening in combination with dilatancy control. "Critical State Soil Mechanics" with volumetric hardening; evaluation of models partly by using a thermodynamic approach and comparison to observed soil behavior from laboratory tests; more advanced models together with a discussion of current research topics; algorithms for implementation in computer codes..

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

The candidate should have knowledge of how elasto-plastic stress-strain relations for soils are formulated and how these relations may describe the strength and stiffness of soils.

SKILLS

The candidate is able to:

• develop simple numerical models for soil behavior
• modify existing numerical soil models
• assess input parameters for characterising relevant elasto-plastic soil behaviour
• test the characteristic behaviour of the model

GENERAL COMPETENCE

The candidate can:

• understand the soil behaviour in the theory frame of elasto-plasticity
• describe field and laboratory tests through elasto-plastic numerical soil models
• implement soil models in a finite element program

Learning methods and activities

The course is not lectured, but offered as a guided self study.

The course content is presented in a bi-annual summer school at NTNU. The summer school is taught in English and is made up by intensive lecturing in combination with exercises. The summer school is arranged in the fall semester every second year (2026, 2028 etc.).

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

MSc degree in geotechnical engineering or structural mechanics. Good insight in geotechnical engineering and engineering mechanics.

Required previous knowledge

Many of those that register for the course are external candidates, whether from the industry, other universities etc. Note that if you wish to take exam in the course, but are not affiliated with the PhD programme in Engineering at NTNU, please contact the course coordinator to check that you have the sufficient background knowledge to attend. Once given the go-ahead from the course coordinator, please forward the correspondence with the course coordinator to our PhD coordinator, maren.grimstad@ntnu.no. She will then help you to register for exam in the course. To check if you are eligible to gain credits for PhD courses at NTNU, please look at https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/researchcourses.

Course materials

Lecture notes in English will be available from Geotechnical Divison, NTNU.