The new implementation of the stage regeneration (since PLAXIS 2D V9) will regenerate all stage settings and it directly will recalculate all stresses of the K0 procedure and the pore pressures based on a phreatic level calculation. (Groundwater flow and full phase recalculations are excluded in this regeneration.)

When optimizing the mesh, you tend to regenerate the mesh a few times. When you already have defined some phases for this project, the mesh generation will also start regenerating the phase settings. This regeneration of stages can take some while, since it will also regenerate the pore pressures for each phase.
It is possible to prevent the generation of these stresses.

PLAXIS 2D V9.02

In order to exclude the regeneration of these stresses, please create a file (without any extension) called:
C:2D_NO_STRESS_RECALC

Please note that this will prevent the regeneration of these stresses during the regeneration of the mesh:

• initial stresses using the K0 procedure
• all (steady state) pore pressures

When you are satisfied with the generated 2D mesh, and you want to continue with the project, you should still regenerate these stresses in order to be able to calculate the phases!
The best solution would be to remove this file, and then regenerate the mesh, so all pore pressures calculated by phreatic level calculations and the K0 procedure stresses are also recalculated.

Please use this special option with caution: if you do not regenerate the stresses before going to the initial conditions or the calculations program, the project might get into a state that it cannot be calculated any more.

This special option in the specified location is only available in PLAXIS 2D V9.02

PLAXIS 2D 2010.01 and later

Since PLAXIS 2D 2010.01, this functionality was reintroduced, but the location of the file has been changed to:
<PLAXIS 2D installation folder>Toggles2D_NO_STRESS_RECALC

In order to create this, first create a subfolder called Toggles in the Plaxis 2D installation folder, and then add the empty file (without a file extension) to this folder.

Please note that this will prevent the regeneration of these stresses during the regeneration of the mesh:

• all (steady state) pore pressures

When you are satisfied with the generated 2D mesh, and you want to continue with the project, you should still regenerate these stresses in order to be able to calculate the phases!
The best solution would be to remove this file, and then regenerate the mesh, so all pore pressures calculated by phreatic level calculations and the K0 procedure stresses are also recalculated.

Please use this special option with caution: if you do not regenerate the stresses before going to the initial conditions or the calculations program, the project might get into a state that it cannot be calculated any more.