PLAXIS 3D 2013 and older PLAXIS files


ApplicationPLAXIS 3D
VersionPLAXIS 3D
Date created16 August 2013
Date modified16 August 2013

With the release of PLAXIS 2013 version (of PLAXIS 3D), the data format and data specifications were updated to allow for a more robust and flexible data structure, especially for pore pressures data. Reading in PLAXIS results made with older versions (3D2012 and earlier) is no longer possible due to this incompatible data format.

Old data in Input

This means that when loading the PLAXIS 3D file in Plaxis 3D Input, the results will no longer be compatible with the current program, and all phases will need to be recalculated in the PLAXIS 3D 2013 version in order to obtain results with a consistent data structure.
When loading the data, a warning will be shown to inform the user about this:

Existing calculalation results have been reset during conversion of old project

Save under a different name

When loading a PLAXIS 3D 2012 project in PLAXIS 3D 2013, the project data will be modified to follow the new data structure and enhancements. When clicking the save button, the data will be saved to the original opened project. This also means that the original 3D2012 results will be removed.
To prevent losing the old 3D2012 analysis, make sure to store the file under a new name by choosing Save as from the File menu.

View results from older versions

Because of the incompatibility of certain result data, it is no longer possible to visualize the results of PLAXIS 3D projects made 3D2012 and earlier in the PLAXIS 3D 2013 Output program. In order to see these results, please use the 3D2012 Output program.
For more details, see the related article about Output project compatibility.