Short Course: Computational Modeling in Geotechnical Engineering (with Emphasis on FLAC Modeling)

This course will present the principles of numerical modeling in geotechnical engineering practice. The main focus will be on the numerical modeling approaches based on finite element and finite difference methods using different geo-mechanical commercial programs.  The instructor will consider the geotechnical modeling aspects to span from the results of site characterization and laboratory, soil/rock properties, constitutive relations, boundary conditions, computational domain, loading; to validation and verification of results.  The modeling procedure of a retaining wall system will be demonstrated as a practical example. Advanced aspects of numerical modeling including soil-structure interaction, fluid-mechanical interaction, and dynamic analysis will be discussed. The course materials are useful for students and professionals in different engineering fields including civil, geotechnical, mining, petroleum, and geological engineering.