With PLAXIS 2D 2010, 2D 2011, 2D2012 and 2D Classic, it is possible to convert the files from the PLAXIS 2D V8/V9 format for files created with PLAXIS  2D V8.2 and newer, and PLAXIS 2D V9. With PLAXIS 2DAE this is not directly possible: the file needs to be converted to 2D 2012 or 2D Classic first, before it can be opened and converted in PLAXIS 2D AE.

These V8/V9 files can be opened in PLAXIS 2D 2010, 2D 2011, 2D2012 and 2D Classic via the Open an existing project item in the Startup Window after starting PLAXIS 2D. Then select to open the Classic PLAXIS 2D (PLX) file type, after which the PLAXIS 2D V8/V9 project file can be selected.

Data conversion

Due to some file format improvements, the program cannot convert all data automatically:

• If the original project uses 3-noded elements, they will be converted to 15-noded elements. This will require that the project is remeshed.
• The interaction of PLAXIS 2DV8/9 with the PlaxFlow Version 1 program cannot be converted into the new format. This means that any transient flow boundary conditions and transient flow calculation results will not be included in the converted project. These transient groundwater flow boundary conditions should be manually reconfigured for each applicable phase.
• The way the initial conditions by means of a K0 procedure are defined have been changed. In PLAXIS 2DV8/V9, the K0 settings were stored per cluster. In 2D2010 and later, these settings are now stored in the material data set. Please check your input settings for K0x, and when available OCR and/or POP. When the same material dataset was used with different K0 settings in several clusters in PLAXIS 2DV8/V9, the user will have to create copies of the material datasets with the different K0 settings and apply these in the Initial Phase’s geometry to define the same situation. Note that using the incorrect initial stress parameters could give incorrect results, especially for the more advanced soil models.
• The defined cavitation cut-off value will not be taken over in PLAXIS 2D 2010 and needs to be defined again.
• PLAXIS 2D Version 8 and PLAXIS 2D Version 9 did not have an explicit distinction between the newly introduced drainage types Undrained A (effective stiffness and effective strength parameters), Undrained B ( effective stiffnes and undrained strength parameters) and Undrained C (Total stress/undrained parameters). During the conversion, the parameter values will be correctly converted but the undrained type cannot be automatically detected: a 2D V8/9 Drained material will be converted to a Drained material, a 2DV8/9 Undrained material will be converted to an Undrained A material, and a 2DV8/9 Non-porous material will be converted to a Non-porous material. So please check/adjust the drainage type in the material set window for all undrained materials.
• Due to the new calculation results structure needed for the advanced mode and the integration with the transient groundwater flow conditions, the results from PLAXIS 2DV8/V9 cannot be used in the 2D2010 Calculations program. The entire project needs to be recalculated. Note that the PLAXIS 2D 2010/2011/2012/Classic Output program is capable of showing the results from the original PLAXIS 2DV8/V9 calculations.

Conversion requirements

In order to convert a PLAXIS 2D V8/V9 file, these requirements should be met:

• The original project needs to be created / last saved with PLAXIS 2D V8.2, PLAXIS 2D V8.3, PLAXIS 2D V8.4, PLAXIS 2D V8.5, PLAXIS 2D V8.6, PLAXIS 2D V9.01 or PLAXIS 2D V9.02
• The original file structure needs to be intact. That means for a project called e.g. PlaxisLesson1, there must be a file called PlaxisLesson1.PLX, and a folder called PlaxisLesson1.DTA in the same folder as this *.PLX file. This *.DTA folder will contain all necessary data for a complete project. For the content description of this folder, please refer to the PLAXIS 2D V8/V9 Reference Manual, appendix B.
• When opening an old project for conversion, please make sure NOT to select the file inside the *.DTA folder, but to select the file one folder level up. When this requirement is not met, it will result in a conversion error (e.g. Error 4).
• PLAXIS 2D V8/V9 files can only be converted into PLAXIS 2D 2010, 2D 2011, 2D2012 and 2D Classic.
• With PLAXIS 2DAE this is not directly possible: the file needs to be converted to 2D 2012 or 2D Classic first, before it can be opened and converted in PLAXIS 2D AE. Since this is a two step conversion, please be extra cautious with the converted data and check the model carefully.