INTRODUCTION
This international course has a long tradition in advanced geotechnical engineering. Each year it is well attended by participants from consulting and contracting companies, public work bodies and universities. As usual, the forthcoming course consists of a balanced mixture of lectures and hands-on computer analyses. As in previous years the lectures focus mainly on soil behaviour and advanced methods in geotechnical engineering and less on the use of the PLAXIS software. Subjects as undrained behaviour and consolidation, previously treated only in advanced courses, have been included in this course. They are illustrated by practical case studies of embankments and deep excavations. This way the course offers an introduction to the modelling of geotechnical problems that are encountered in day-to-day engineering practice. The  computer exercises are performed with the PLAXIS 2D code. As a consequence of the easy program operation, teaching and tutoring will focus on geotechnical aspects, which allows for the short course format of three days

SOFTWARE
During the standard course we will use the latest version of PLAXIS 2D 

SUBJECT MATTER
The main subject of the course is the use of finite element method (FEM) for stress and deformation analyses and stability assessment. The following topics are dealt with; the schematisation of complex soil conditions, obtaining the basic input data for both simple and advanced soil models, modelling realistic projects with various construction stages and interpreting the computational results. Special attention is paid to undrained soil behaviour and consolidation, as well as the determination of safety factors using FEM

INTRODUCTION DAY
On the Monday before the actual course starts an introduction to PLAXIS is given. During this day the basic functionality of PLAXIS 2D is discussed as well as the possibilities to model different soils and structural elements for modelling retaining structures, anchors,geotextiles and tunnel lining.For participants that have no experience in using the PLAXIS software it is highly recommended to participate in the introduction day in order to get sufficiently acquainted with the software.

BASIC LECTURES
On the first day of the course, experts will give lectures on soil behaviour in laboratory tests and the translation of this soil behaviour into constitutive models for soil that can be used in a finite element calculation.
Extra attention is given to parameter determination for those soil models. As exercises participant will model laboratory tests in PLAXIS and compare the behaviour of the finite element model with the soil data provided. The specific areas of the lectures are:

• Elasticity and plasticity - G. Viggiani
• Soil behaviour in shear - D. Waterman
• Introduction to the HS Model - D. Waterman
• Soil behaviour in compression - D. Waterman
• Soil stiffness parameters - S. Nordal
• Undrained soil behaviour - G. Viggiani
  

APPLICATION LECTURES
The second day consists of lectures and exercises on advanced soil modelling and introduces the use of the Hardening Soil Model. Lectures are presented by senior engineers with extensive experience on the topics considered.

• FE in Geotechnical Engineering - G. Viggiani
• Excavation design - D. Waterman
• Non-linear computations - D. Waterman
• Consolidation - A. Gens
• Dams & embankments - A. Gens
• Initial stresses & Safety analysis - D. Waterman

GROUNDWATER AND MASTER CASES
The third day starts with lectures on groundwater flow analysis and and introduction to behaviour and modelling of unsaturated soil. In the afternoon the course participants will work independently on socalled master cases. For these cases field test results, lab test data and geotechnical correlations are used to evaluate soil parameters. Moreover, engineering judgment is needed to model stages of construction and the probability of failure stability of the construction under investigation.

• Unsaturated soils - A. Gens
• Modelling groundwater in PLAXIS - D. Waterman
• Master case - D. Waterman

FORMAT
The course begins with registration on Tuesday morning and ends with a session on Thursday afternoon. Sessions of three hours are held each morning and afternoon consisting of lecturing and an application exercise. Lectures are given in English, but individual assistance during exercises and case studies can also be provided in Dutch and Spanish.

COST
The cost of the course is €1495 and the cost of the Introduction day is €600. If both events are attended a discount of €300 applies. This includes all lunches and dinners as well as a full set of instruction manuals and the use of a computer.
Hotel accommodation at the Hotel Schiphol should be booked by the participants directly with the hotel.