Hi,
I am trying to model a hypothetical case of stability of an embankment subject to river water level fluctuations. As can be seen in the picture attached, I had assigned an external water level (AB) approximately 2 m above the toe of the embankment. However, PLAXIS automatically considers the water level to be continuous to the far end in the right (BC), but this is not what I am looking at. Could you please suggest why PLAXIS considers the water level to be continuous (up to point C)? Is there a way to create a model with water level (AB) only?
Thank you in advance.
Best Regards,
Sam
Sam,
Setting up the water conditions in Finite Element Analysis is tricky. Plaxis likes to have the conditions set all the way from the left to the right boundary. If you draw it part way (like from A to B) you get the result that you show. What you need to do is draft the phreatic level all the way from A to C, even if this involves dropping it down to the bottom of the model (which would be unrealistic). When you set up the phases for the water level fluctuations, draw the entire phreatic surface again but only change the water level from A to B. Keeping the part from B to C unchanged.
Check the pore pressure at each phase to be sure Plaxis is doing what you think it should be doing.
good luck,
Martin