Dear,
I'm busy with a 3D model with secantpiles wall who come just 1 m above a weathered bedrock. This bedrock have a great risk of karst. I don't have idea to include the risk of cavities in the model.
The secantspiles are modelled as concrete volume. I can add a small gap at the bottom of piles but I would like to avoid the vertical friction at the end (last 2 m for example) of piles.
Is there possibity to integrate cavities on soil without soil collapsing result ? only to have an effect on the wall.
Thank for advices.
Jean-Philippe
Dear Jean-Philippe,
PLAXIS models soil and rock as a continuum. This means that when you want to include a gap then this needs to be modelled a physical gap in a 3D model. This, as you notice, will cause local issues (e.g., plasticity, failure).Since there is no specific way to recommend, I would say consider using a softer material in the areas that the cavities are to be expected. This naturally means that you need to cover for the local plasticity that may be captured at those cavities as this should not affect the overall analysis.
If you have a specific model, we can assist you further in a service request: https://apps.bentley.com/srmanager/ProductSupport