Course
Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering
(Numerische Methoden in der Geotechnik)
Status: 14.06.2025
Lecturer
Language
German
Participants
- Until summer term 2020: students of the master's degree programme Civil Engineering, 2nd term, part of the mandatory module "Marine Geotechnics and Numerics" (3 ECTS, 3 SWS) for students with specialization in Geotechnical Engineering, and Port Construction and Flood Protection
- Since winter term 2020/2021: 1st term, part of the module "Geotechnical Engineering III" (3 ECTS, 3 SWS) for the following degree programme's:
- BAUMS: specialization in Geotechnical Engineering, Structural engineering, Port Construction and Flood Protection (mandatory)
- BAUMS: specialization in Water and Traffic (compulsory elective)
- IWIMS: specialization II Civil Engineering (compulsory elective)
- Caution: The course is offered until winter semester 2024/25 as part of the module “Geotechnical Engineering III” for all specializations, from summer semester 2026 as part of the module “Soil Mechanics and Soil Dynamics” for the specialization in “Geotechnical Engineering”
Requirements
- Successful participation in the courses Mathematics I to III as well as Geotechnical Engineering I (Soil Mechanics) and Geotechnical Engineering s II (Foundation Engineering) in the Bachelor's degree program in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Participation in the “soil mechanics laboratory course” is an advantage.
- Registration via Stud.IP.
Learning objectives
- Acquisition of the basics of numerical simulation of physical processes in the soil, taking into account soil-structure interaction: analysis of the initial situation including evaluation of the data basis; formulation of boundary value problems and initial boundary value problems; approximate solution of boundary value problems and initial boundary value problems using numerical methods, in particular the Finite Element Method (FEM); performance, evaluation, and validation of numerical simulations based on the FEM
- Preparation for project and master's theses
- Suggestion for self-study
Lecture
- Computational soil mechanics I (models and model equations): Conceptual models for soil based on continuum mechanics, particle mechanics, Boltzmann's kinetic theory and hybrid models; Mathematical models based on continuum theories for soils (material-independent and material-dependent equations, initial and boundary conditions, boundary value problems and initial boundary value problems)
- Numerical mathematics: Differentiation and integration; differential equation including initial value problems, boundary value problems, and initial boundary value problems; algebraic equation including nonlinear equations, linear and nonlinear equation systems
- Computational soil mechanics II (numerical solution of boundary value problems): deformation analysis (static, drained and undrained, linear and non-linear); groundwater flow analysis (steady-state, transient); Consolidation analysis (quasi-static coupled and uncoupled); safety and limit analysis for drained and undrained conditions; error analysis
- Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI): Modelling of structures; Modelling of soil-structure contact; Soil-structure interaction for selected examples
Exercises
Exercises with own software and application software:
- Exercises in computational soil mechanics I: definition of boundary value problems and initial boundary value problems
- Exercises in numerical mathematics: analytical, symbolic and numerical solution of mathematical problems: differentiation and Integration, ordinary and partial differential equations. Algebraic equations including nonlinear equations, linear and nonlinear equation systems by means of the programming language Python and the Python libraries NumPy and SciPy (numerical solution), SymPy (symbolic solution), and Matplotlib (graphics)
- Exercises in computational soil mechanics II: deformation analysis, groundwater flow analysis, consolidation analysis, safety analysis, and limit analysis based on the FEM and soft software PLAXIS
- Exercises in Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI): solution of (initial) boundary value problems based on the FEM and the software PLAXIS
Computer course
One-day PLAXIS course for beginners in January for active participants of the course. Including six exercises: One-dimensional compression of a soil column; Simulation of a CD triaxial test; Groundwater flow in a water basin; Stability of a slope; Behaviour of an excavation support system (2D), Behaviour of an excavation support system (3D)
Digital offers
- Learning material via Stud.IP (lecture notes for lecture and exercises, add-ons, material for the computer course)
- Exercises with the software PLAXIS, Optum, and programming with Python including the packages SymPy, NumPy, SciPy, and Matplotlib
- Computer course in the institute's PC pool with the software PLAXIS
Certificate of achievement
- Exam mode for students beginning their study before winter term 2014/2015: module exam together with “Selected Topics in Soil Mechanics”, oral exam, duration: 40 min. The module is graded is weighted based on the ECTS points.
- Exam mode from summer term 2015 to summer term 2020: written exam in the module exam “Marine Geotechnics and Numerics”, weighting of module grade according to ECTS points, duration of sub.exam: 60 Min, examination aids: Lecture notes and FEM course notes, calculator
- Exam mode since winter term 2020/2021 (current mode): written exam in the module “Geotechnical Engineering III”, weighting of module grade according to ECTS points, duration of sub.exam: 60 Min, examination aids: Lecture notes and lectures and exercises. The lecture notes contain marked sections that are not part of the examination material.
References
- Textbooks:
- Wriggers P. (2001): Nichtlineare Finite-Elemente-Methoden. Springer
- Wriggers P. (2008): Nonlinear Finite Element Methods. Springer
- Recommendations:
- EANG (2013): Empfehlungen des Arbeitskreises "Numerik in der Geotechnik". Ernst & Sohn, Hrsg.: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geotechnik (DGGT)