How I can input a rectangular footing(6'*8') in Plaxis 2D? I can only input the width and height with a soil polygon but how to give the length! Is it possible in plaxis 2D or I need plaxis 3 D for this?

Question

Solving a Rectangular Footing with Plaxis 2D

Rushan Gizzatullin · Answer

Dear Md Fyaz Sadiq , 
 Everything you create in PLAXIS 2D workarea (soils, structures, loads) has &laquo;thickness&raquo; 1 m along Z-axis. 
 Here the picture from PLAXIS 2D Manual: 
 
 On the left side is Plane strain model, on the right &mdash; Axisymmetry : 
 
 Therefore it is impossible to define exact &laquo;length&raquo; of such footing. 
 You can &laquo;cut&raquo; 1 m along the structure and model it in PLAXIS 2D. With appropriate limitations. 
 Anyway it would be better to model this problem in PLAXIS 3D. 
 Hope it helps.

Stefanos Papavasileiou · Answer

Dear Md Fyaz Sadiq, 
 As Rushan correctly commented, all plane strain models consider a 1m of out-of-plane direction. This means that both geometry and loading conditions are considered to be extending in the out-of-plane direction. 
 If you are interested in a square-type footing, PLAXIS 2D might not give you accurate results. For that PLAXIS 3D is the software to choose.

How I can input a rectangular footing(6'*8') in Plaxis 2D? I can only input the width and height with a soil polygon but how to give the length! Is it possible in plaxis 2D or I need plaxis 3 D for this?

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