Course - Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geotechnics - TBM4241
Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geotechnics
Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
The course focuses on application of the finite element method to solve problems in geotechnics / porous media deformations - flow (of water) and connected problems (consolidation). The course provides an introduction on how to find analytical solutions for failure capacity from plasticity theory (plastic stress fields, basic elements and combinations of these). The course provides the basis for describing material behavior with elasticity and elastoplasticity as a framework (Tresca, Coulomb).
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
The candidate must have knowledge of:
- Soil strength expressed by total and effective stresses
- Stress fields based on plasticity theory
- Constitutive relations for soil behavior (stiffness and conductivity)
- Key finite element method (FEM) concepts applied to porous media (soil)
- Soil deformation
- Flow in soil, including coupled problems
- Digital tools and programming languages such as Python for modeling and analysis
- Numerical methods and simulation tools for geotechnical applications
Skills:
The candidate can:
- Calculate the capacity of simple problems based on plasticity theory
- Use Python to implement solutions for simple problems using the finite element method
- Use analytical solutions to verify well-defined numerical analyses
- Develop and apply digital models to simulate soil behavior under various loading conditions
- Utilize relevant libraries and tools for computation and visualization
General competence:
The candidate can:
- Understand the fundamentals of the finite element method for multiphysics problems in porous media (soil)
- Understand the computational process in FEM analyses
- Evaluate and apply digital tools and methods to solve complex geotechnical problems
- Communicate results from numerical analyses clearly and effectively, including through digital visualizations
- Reflect on the quality and reliability of digital models and simulations
Learning methods and activities
Lectures and assignments with supervision.
Compulsory assignments
- Exercises
Further on evaluation
Compulsory assignments must be approved to get access to exam. There are 7 exercises in the course, minimum 5 exercises should be approved in order to get access to the exam. Details about the mandatory exercises will be given at the beginning of the semester.
If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.
Recommended previous knowledge
Structural mechanics, advanced engineering mathematics and some basis in geotechnical engineering.
Course materials
Lecture notes provided by the Geotechnics group at NTNU.
Subject areas
- Geotechnical Engineering