The PLAXIS Soiltest application is a tool in which you can simulate standard laboratory tests, like Triaxial, Oedoemeter, DSS, and CRS tests, to help you tweak the soil model parameters and match the laboratory tests. In the Soiltest application, PLAXIS also offers an optimization routine to quickly get an optimized set of parameters using real laboratory test results. This option can be selected from the toolbar of the SoilTest facility.
However, in some cases, we see that the optimisation does not give a result, and you are faced with the Small overlap curves message.
The following article describes the possible reasons related to the message “Small overlaps curves” on the Parameter Optimisation feature in PLAXIS SoilTest (please see the example in Fig.1).
Additionally, the following link explains how to use the Parameter Optimisation feature in SoilTest.
Fig.1: Message “Small overlap curves” on the Parameter Optimisation feature in PLAXIS SoilTest.
The message “Small overlap curves” indicates that there is no appropriate match between the calculated and expected curves. This error happens when more than half of the computed points are outside the expected range.
We have identified some frequent causes that may be associated with the message: "Small overlaps curves." Below we will describe the most common causes and how to overcome these issues:
Fig.2: Example of selecting a phase of the curve in an oedometer test.