Since the release of PLAXIS 2D 2017 and PLAXIS 3D 2016, both calculation kernel and graphical user interface (GUI) are designed to use 64-bit processors. Due to this, only 64-bit dynamic-link libraries (DLL) can be used to run a user-defined soil model (UDSM) in PLAXIS.
Having compiled a 64-bit .dll file, it should be placed in the folder "udsm", located in PLAXIS installation folder.
For further information, please refer to Plaxis user defined soil models/.
In previous versions of PLAXIS, a 64-bit kernel is used in conjunction with a 32-bit GUI. To run a UDSM, it is, therefore, necessary to have a 64-bit version of the UDSM to interact with the kernel and a 32-bit version to interact with the GUI. The following is recommended:
Please note that it is necessary to compile the UDSM code as 32-bit and 64-bit DLL, not just to rename one of the |DLL files. Moreover, please note that both 32-bit and 64-bit DLL files should be placed in the folder "udsm", located in PLAXIS directory folder.
Providing that (1) the DLL are properly compiled and (2) their names are correctly set and (3) the DLL files are places in the correct directory, the 32-bit DLL will interact with the GUI, while the 64-bit DLL will interact with the kernel to run the Finite Element calculation.
Alternatively, to make use of only the 32-bit DLL it is possible to use the 32-bit calculation kernel by disabling the 64-bit version available in the PLAXIS directory folder. As detailed below, the easiest strategy consists of renaming the 64-bit calculation kernel, which will disable it. Please note that, by using a 32-bit kernel, only a 32-bit DLL is necessary. Please note also that, to restore the 64-bit behaviour, the kernel file should be renamed to its original name.
Please go to the PLAXIS installation folder and search for a subfolder called "64". Open the subfolder and rename the file "plasw64.exe" to, e.g., "_plasw64-backup.exe".
Please go to the PLAXIS installation folder and search for the file "plasw64.exe". Having found it, please rename it to, e.g., "_plasw64-backup.exe".
Please go to the PLAXIS installation folder and search for the file "plasw364.exe". Having found it, please rename it to, e.g., "_plasw64-backup.exe".
Plaxis User Defined Soil Models
[Models]
UDSM - Anisotropic Clay Models: S-CLAY1 and S-CLAY1S
UDSM - Barcelona Basic Model
UDSM - CLoE Hypoplastic Model
UDSM - Generalized Hardening Soil Model
UDSM - Hypoplastic model with inter-granular strain
UDSM - Isotropic Jointed Rock with Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion
UDSM - MIT S1 Model
UDSM - Mixed Isotropic-kinematic Hardening Elastoplastic Models for Structured Clay
UDSM - SHANSEP MC model
Concrete model
UDSM - Swelling Rock Model
UBCSAND3D Model
UDSM - Visco-elastic perfectly plastic model