Jointed Rock Plaxis 3D

Question

Hi, 
 I am using the Jointed Rock material model in Plaxis 3D and find the reference and material manuals confusing. They refer to strike and dip direction (alfa2) indistinctively. Wondering if someone could offer some guidance. 
 
 Thank you

Stefanos Papavasileiou · Answer

Hello Ariadna, 
 Thank you for your question. I see that you also created a Service Request (#7000988330) and since this has higher priority I will reply to you directly from the service request platform with details. To answer shortly, &alpha;1 is the dip (angle) and &alpha;2 is the dip direction (or strike as per Plaxis convention) , both measured in degrees (&ordm;). The definition of &alpha;2 is with respect to the x-direction. It is more clear if you consider what Plaxis refers to strike as strike angle .