To ease congestion, cope with increased traffic levels, and reduce vehicle collisions, National Highways is widening the existing roadway section between A12 Chelmsford and A120. Geotechnical Engineering was hired to provide a clearer picture of the types of soil, rock, and groundwater beneath the proposed new road. During the first two phases of the project, they used a desktop approach that required manual collection and computer entry of site data, delaying data availability and limiting collaboration and decision-making.

On Phase 3 of the project, they selected OpenGround, introducing electronic on-site data logging in a cloud-based environment, which provided data access within 24 hours, and sometimes as quickly as 30 minutes. Using Bentley’s open application offered advanced team dynamics, creating a single source of truth, centralizing data, and decreasing unnecessary data entry to save time and reduce potential transcription errors. The solution accelerates collaborative decision-making and is now the preferred technology for all new projects. 

Project Playbook: OpenGround

Positioned as a new landmark building, Lize SOHO has a total area of 173,000 square meters, featuring 45 aboveground floors and four underground basement floors with a subway tunnel running through floors three and four of the basement. The project was subject to strict design standards and deformation and settlement specifications within a tight timeline. Beijing Institute of Architectural Design is providing analysis on the common action of the ground foundation to guide design and construction. However, their previous software took too long to create models and presented few comparison schemes for analysis.

They selected PLAXIS based on its automation, command flow, and modeling and simulation features, significantly shortening modeling and analysis time from three to four days to three to four hours. They optimized the pile foundation, reducing costs during the preliminary design scheme by 40% and shortening the construction period. The technology solution improved overall work efficiency and is being promoted for future geotechnical analysis work. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

The reported slope failures during thawing season in Hokkaido involved a large failure of soil mass traversing a length of approximately 50 meters. Typically, two-dimensional plane strain analysis was performed to analyze slope stability, considering the effect of freeze-thaw, snowfall, and rainfall. However, this method is not sufficient for large-scale slope stability issues occurring in Hokkaido. Therefore, a study was initiated to investigate the applicability of 3D analysis, coupled with seepage and thermal analysis, to determine slope stability in a cold region.

The geotechnical researchers applied the 3D equilibrium limit features in PLAXIS to analyze the slope stability using pore water pressures derived from 3D-coupled thermal-seepage analysis. Using Bentley’s application, the analysis proved that the 3D method is effective to simulate slope failure in cold regions and is appropriate for large-scale slope failure problems. The digital solution can be applied to difficult slope issues involving complex geological formations. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

In Bucharest, a new residential building is being constructed on a 10-year-old excavation site originally intended for a commercial building. The existing excavation had to be refurbished to meet new architectural requirements. Saidel Engineering was responsible for demolition and design of the new supporting system required to comply with current Eurocodes. Faced with these challenges, compounded by addressing the neighboring buildings surrounding the site, they needed comprehensive geotechnical modeling and analysis technology.

Already familiar with PLAXIS, they used Bentley’s application to accurately model a new supporting system for the irregularly shaped excavation and share information with the structural designers. The solution enabled them to reduce costs and meet construction deadlines earlier than planned. The accurate results provided for the structural component allowed the structural engineer to design thinner perimetral walls, reducing concrete volume and environmental impact. Using PLAXIS features for importing and exporting geometry, they identified and resolved modeling inconsistencies, resulting in faster, robust geotechnical design. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

Vegetation is widely used as an environmentally friendly restoration for stabilizing soil slopes. Given the lack of design methods that consider the effects of grass on the hydro-thermal-mechanical properties of soil slopes, a numerical approach to studying these effects for unsaturated soil slope stability was proposed. Hokkaido University realized that they needed flexible geotechnical simulation and analysis software to predict and compare modeling results to comprehensive field measurements in landslide prone areas.

They selected PLAXIS to perform the numerical seepage and slope stability analysis, proving that grass root resists the shallow landslide-prone area. Bentley’s application enabled researchers at Hokkaido University to reduce time and costs compared to time-consuming manual triaxial tests for studying shear strengths. Over the long term, they expect the digital geotechnical analysis to be useful for understanding the performance of grassed soil slopes. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

The design of the OhKaribe Tunnel is based on rock classification from various field surveys and laboratory tests that revealed a very poor classification on the tunnel wall, with a yield zone thickness of 1.5 meters to 2 meters. The project team needed to simulate the tunnel excavation using appropriate parameters to predict the strength of the rock at the site, and required flexible modeling technology to achieve this, as well as to incorporate time-dependent characteristics of the concrete tunnel lining.

They selected PLAXIS to conduct a parametric study revealing a potential range of strength coefficients. The digital simulation using the field survey results as parameters enabled them to accurately predict the performance of the tunnel excavation. By adding the aging characteristic of concrete to the PLAXIS model, they were able to model the tunneling works for a one-meter excavation in one day, considering excavation, strutting, rock bolting, and shotcrete. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

To help ensure structural integrity during construction of a hydraulic engineering facility, special laboratory studies are being performed to determine the mechanical characteristics and stability of coarse-grained soils under static and seismic conditions. NRU MGSU is responsible for conducting the studies and subsequent modeling to optimize design and construction. With more than 50 companies involved, they faced technical and coordination challenges, requiring comprehensive geotechnical modeling software.

They selected PLAXIS due to its flexibility to incorporate various factors and accurately predict real behavior and interaction between the structures and foundation, ensuring the structural safety and stability of the facility. The application’s automated features shortened mathematical modeling time to optimize technical and economic costs and reduce design labor costs. Based on the modeling and analysis results, they determined the required stability coefficients, allowing for continued construction of the facility. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

Cuyperstrap is an indoor staircase beneath Amsterdam Central Station, providing commuters a pathway between the station and underground bicycle parking. The project features a freeze wall to contain the excavation and presented challenges when optimizing the shape and thickness within the limited space. CRUX Engineering was responsible for performing risk analysis to identify critical situations that could occur during the execution of the excavation and freeze wall. They needed flexible and robust geotechnical modeling technology to analyze the complex stress redistribution and strength structure characteristics.

They selected PLAXIS to model the U-shaped wall and analyze the arch effect to determine the optimal degree of arch and thickness of the frozen structure. Using Bentley’s application, they performed the sensitivity analyses of the frozen soil mass and addressed time-dependent risk to the site, optimizing the construction stages while saving time and costs. The software also facilitated safety analyses to ensure the wall complied with Eurocode requirements. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

AMAS is large-scale national housing project located on artificially constructed islands with a natural water artesian aquifer 15 meters below ground. The project had been suspended for years due to safety, technical, and budget limitations, and presented challenges in determining an optimal foundation system for the structures without disturbing the aquifer. The team needed integrated structural and geotechnical analysis applications to design a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution.

They selected RAM and PLAXIS for modeling and analysis, and determined that a micropiled raft system composed of 90% to 95% iron would have the least impact. They automated and digitized workflows from the initial design stage, saving significant time and costs on the large-scale, sensitive project. Coupling the structural and geotechnical models resulted in a safe, cost-effective foundation solution. They will use the digital design information to establish a global database, providing reliable and accurate measurements for coastal areas with shallow underground water resources. 

Playbook: PLAXIS, RAM

The Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen project includes the design and delivery of a new lock within the Terneuzen lock complex for the expansion along Antwerp Harbor to Gent. The excavation pits for the lock gates were very large and required complicated phasing and design of the cofferdam. To perform calculations for more than 100 phases, determining the moments, force effects, and deformation of the cofferdam, the project team needed flexible and robust geotechnical analysis software.

They selected PLAXIS to model, analyze, and perform calculations for the numerous phases of the cofferdam. Using the automated features in Bentley’s application, they were able to adjust the calculations and change the design much faster to meet the project milestones. The software provided flexible use of the data to check the strength of the piles and walls, resulting in a better design. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

The coefficient of permeability is a crucial property of soil hydraulic functions to study seepage flow in unsaturated soil, and it is determined by a steady-state or a transient method. The steady-state method is time-consuming and usually results in a low coefficient of permeability, while the typical transient instantaneous profile (IP) method can directly measure unsaturated coefficient of soil permeability within a shorter time. This project proposes simplifying the IP method, performing the coefficient computation without the need to measure, control, or assume any boundary flux during evaluation.

The team selected PLAXIS to perform numerical and seepage analysis, considering two different boundary conditions for different types of soil, verifying the validity of the novel, simplified transient method. The solution proves the simplified technique requires a shorter duration for conducting the permeability test. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

A project in Masan, Gyeongsangnam, South Korea was initiated to verify the support and effect of extending micropiles through 3D numerical analysis. To perform the numerical analysis, the team at BasisSoft needed comprehensive geotechnical modeling and simulation technology.

They selected PLAXIS, verifying that the software was effective in evaluating the uplift and bearing capacity of extended micropiles. Through modeling and analysis, BasisSoft confirmed that, compared to normal micropiles, the extended ones increase compression and support. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

This project involved designing a deep excavation test pit in soft clay for offshore equipment. The test pit featured an 8-meter-deep by 8-meter-wide excavation supported by secant concrete pile walls. Terratek is the designer and originally used 2D modeling and analysis based on estimated parameters from standard penetration tests, resulting in excessive bottom heave and horizontal displacements. To complete the design successfully, they realized that they needed a 3D technology solution to overcome these conservative results.

They selected PLAXIS 3D to perform 3D numerical modeling and analysis based on additional site investigation using cone penetration testing (CPT). Using the updated PLAXIS 3D model and CPT soil parameters yielded much smaller deformations, with the bottom heave close to zero and the maximum horizontal displacement reduced to .75 centimeters. They optimized the 2D model using Bentley’s 3D geotechnical application, enabling them to reduce the concrete secant pile wall depth and achieve a less costly design solution. 

Project Playbook: MicroStation, PLAXIS

Located in Itabira, Minas Gerais, the Itabirucu Dam contains one of Brazil’s largest tailings impoundments and has undergone several phased constructions to raise the crest level. The last construction phase was implemented in 2019 for the dam to reach its maximum elevation of 850 meters, only to be halted due to the observation of cracks. The owner requested additional site investigation to determine the cause of the cracks and hired BVP to review the designers’ numerical model. BVP wanted to develop their own numerical model and simulate the stress history of the dam.

They selected PLAXIS 2D for the historical simulation to approximate the dam’s stress, then simulated the construction of each raising, including the final raising. Using Bentley’s application, they accurately predicted the deformation behavior and digitally reproduced the cracking pattern observed on site. The results contributed to the removal of the dam’s emergency level, and construction and operations were reauthorized. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

Vegetation has been widely applied in engineering design methods because of its numerous benefits, including preventing soil erosion, improving landscape, and reinforcing the soil structure. To better understand the hydrological influence of vegetation on rainfall infiltration, a numerical simulation approach was proposed to study the effects of grass cover on rainfall infiltration and surface runoff of volcanic soil. The project team realized that they needed flexible geotechnical modeling software to conduct the evaluation.

They selected PLAXIS to perform the numerical unsaturated/saturated seepage analysis and simulation and obtain the outflow and runoff, estimating the soil-water characteristic curves and coefficients of soil permeability. The software’s automated features and refined modeling capabilities greatly enhanced model stability, accuracy, and convergence. Based on the PLAXIS model and experimental results, they achieved a better understanding of the seepage behavior and determined that grass cover plays a key role in reducing the rainfall infiltration into the volcanic soil. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

Specializing in ground information data management, analysis, visualization, and geotechnical modeling, SAALG sought to make construction projects safer, more sustainable, and more efficient. They wanted to reduce overruns by removing geotechnical uncertainties through their digital software DAARWIN. However, they realized that digitalization alone was not the solution. They needed to integrate ground monitoring data and soil modeling in real-time, which required flexible and robust finite element modeling and analysis technology.

They selected PLAXIS given its automation features and interoperability, providing DAARWIN with geotechnical information and numerical models. The integrated solution simulates thousands of models in a very short period and provides realistic data to help reduce material quantities and project risks. With Bentley’s open ecosystem, geotechnical experts can collaborate using applications like PLAXIS that integrate with many applications like DAARWIN to create dynamic digital representations of the physical ground scenario. SAALG expects to expand their use of PLAXIS from the project design phase into construction and maintenance stages. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

Jeju Island is home to 209 natural caves that are subject to potential collapse due to rock fall and vehicle vibration, as roadways intersect with the caves. The project team at BasisSoft was tasked with reviewing these safety issues and needed comprehensive and reliable geotechnical technology to model and analyze the vehicle vibration loads on the structures.

They selected PLAXIS to evaluate the risks posed on the natural caves caused by traveling vehicles, as well as the vibration loads on the road networks overlapping the caves. Using the software, BasisSoft determined that the faster the vehicle speed above the cave and the thinner the overburden, the greater the vibration was within the natural cave. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

To eliminate bottlenecks along Germany’s Munich S-Bahn suburban core railway line, a second 10-kilometer, underground core line is being built. Routed underground across the city, the project presented complex construction processes requiring building large cavity cross-sections of up to 450 square meters and accommodating high building density above ground. ILF was commissioned to optimize planning and prepare detailed design, requiring an exact estimation of expected deformation to avoid building damage. Prior analytical methods lack that capability and could not predict the effects of the subsoil. Therefore, they needed state-of-the-art 3D geotechnical modeling technology.

They selected PLAXIS for finite element modeling to determine settlements at each individual construction phase and the expected deformations as a result of tunneling. Using Bentley’s application, they analyzed soil stiffness and soil-structure interaction, among other factors. The software’s detailed modeling features resulted in more realistic forecasts, enabling them to propose economical, technically optimized, environmentally friendly, and structurally safe design and construction solutions. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

When the Fundão Dam failure led to tailings being deposited near the Candonga Dam that stopped operations at the Candonga Hydroelectric Power Station, three sheet piling walls had to be designed to dredge the tailings. Terratek was responsible for performing numerical analysis on one of the walls and simulating the tailings excavation to obtain horizontal displacements. The project presented complex geometry and many finite elements and stress points, resulting in a model rendering the calculation time impractical. They needed flexible modeling software capable of handling the voluminous model elements and calculations.

They selected PLAXIS to model the soil behavior and wall, and determined the wall presented large horizontal displacement reaching 800 millimeters on the top. The 3D modeling and analysis results led to a design update for a proper instrumentation system to predict wall failure. The project demonstrates the importance of using accurate 3D modeling technology to predict structural behavior and facilitate design of a monitoring scheme. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

As part of the enabling works for the Thames Tideway Tunnel Project, temporary cofferdams comprised of anchored twin sheet pile wall systems needed to be constructed. The significant tide level variations along the River Thames presented challenges in terms of the lateral stress on the cofferdam structures. A-squared supported detailed design and needed versatile geotechnical software to simulate the behavior of both the soil and the structures to achieve an efficient design.

They selected PLAXIS to design the cofferdams using a combination of plane strain analysis and 3D soil structure interaction, enabling performance assessment of the structures under serviceability conditions and the evaluation of the ultimate limit of forces for the pile sheet walls and ties. Using Bentley’s application to perform numerical modeling and automate scripts enabled them to improve design efficiency, resulting in value engineered and sustainable design solutions that reduced the carbon footprint compared to traditional design approaches. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

Along the Khani-Tynda section of the railway line crossing Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East, thawing of permafrost caused long-term deformation of the railway roadbed, requiring a redesign. The university was tasked with performing thermal engineering calculations of the railway embankment related to the spread of permafrost soil. They faced discrepancies between Russian geological and model parameters, compounded by challenges predicting temperature fields and incorporating the other factors required to obtain the total accumulated operating experience along the railroad.

They selected PLAXIS to perform thermal calculations relating to various factors to preserve permafrost soil in its frozen state. Using the automated features, they completed the computational modeling within minutes, compared to several days or weeks of manual engineering work, and eliminated the possibility of entering incorrect data into the model. The model correctly and accurately demonstrates the real behavior of the railway embankment and foundation, and the calculation results justified the design solutions. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

Given the lack of guidelines for shoring up trenches in the Quebec construction code, a research study was initiated to develop decision-making protocol in accordance with international regulations. The goal was to optimize selecting a shoring system relative to Quebec’s soft and sensitive soil class. The project required determining clear, reliable depth and width parameters for the sensitive soil, including numerical investigation using 3D simulation. The engineering team previously used third-party technology but required more flexibility simulating real soil structure interaction.

They selected PLAXIS to use its soil, structural, and interface modeling features to resolve the complex soil structure interactions. The performed digital analysis results were close to their experimental field results. Using the application reduced design and project delivery time by two months. Conducting finite element analysis with PLAXIS confirmed earth pressure measurements, providing reliable data for construction companies to choose the best excavation protection system at shallow depths in a soft and sensitive clay trench. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS

The characteristics of discontinuities need to be considered to ensure the uplift bearing capacity for suspension bridge tunnel anchors which were installed on rocks. BasisSoft was tasked with evaluating the support of the anchorage, considering the discontinuities and type of anchorage. They needed a geotechnical application to perform 3D numerical analysis.

After considering their options, they selected PLAXIS to calculate the ultimate uplift bearing capacity for continuous and discontinuous suspension bridge tunnel type anchors. Using Bentley’s modeling and analysis application, the team at BasisSoft determined that ultimate uplift bearing capacity was reduced by approximately 6% when there was a discontinuity, compared to when there was no discontinuity. 

Project Playbook: PLAXIS