Title

Plaxis Bulletin
Issue 41, 2017

Predicting Pile Driving Induced Movement in Gothenburg Soft Clay

Back analysis of Caen’s test by the recently developed frozen/unfrozen soil

Table of contents
The Plaxis Bulletin is the combined magazine of 03 Editorial
Plaxis bv and the Plaxis users association (NL). The
Bulletin focuses on the use of the finite element 04 New developments

Page 4
method in geotechnical engineering practise and
includes articles on the practical application of the 06 PLAXIS Expert Services update
PLAXIS programs, case studies and backgrounds
on the models implemented in PLAXIS.
08 Predicting Pile Driving Induced
The Bulletin offers a platform where users of PLAXIS Movement in Gothenburg Soft Clay
can share ideas and experiences with each other.
The editors welcome submission of papers for the
Plaxis Bulletin that fall in any of these categories. 12 Back analysis of Caen’s test by the
Page 8

The manuscript should preferably be submitted in

recently developed frozen/unfrozen soil
an electronic format, formatted as plain text without
formatting. It should include the title of the paper, 20 Plaxis Americas
the name(s) of the authors and contact information
(preferably e-mail) for the corresponding author(s). 22 Recent activities
The main body of the article should be divided into
appropriate sections and, if necessary, subsections.
If any references are used, they should be listed at
the end of the article.
Page 12

The author should ensure that the article is written

clearly for ease of reading.

In case figures are used in the text, it should be

indicated where they should be placed approxi-
mately in the text. The figures themselves have to
be supplied separately from the text in a vector
based format (eps,ai). If photographs or ‘scanned’
figures are used the author should ensure that they
Page 20

have a resolution of at least 300 dpi or a minimum

of 3 mega pixels. The use of colour in figures and
photographs is encouraged, as the Plaxis Bulletin
is printed in full-colour.

Colophon
The Plaxis Bulletin is a publication of Plaxis bv and Any correspondence regarding For information about PL A XIS software
is distributed worldwide among Plaxis subscribers the Plaxis Bulletin can be sent by e-mail to: contact your local agent or Plaxis main office:

Editorial team: bulletin@plaxis.com Plaxis bv

Ronald Brinkgreve P.O. Box 572
Erwin Beernink or by regular mail to: 2600 AN Delft
Martin de Kant The Netherlands
Arny Lengkeek Plaxis Bulletin
Vincent Keizer c/o Annelies Vogelezang info@plaxis.com
Judi Godvliet PO Box 572 www.plaxis.com
Jasper van der Bruggen 2600 AN Delft Tel: +31 (0)15 251 7720
The Netherlands Fax: +31 (0)15 257 3107
Editorial
We are pleased to release the Autumn 2017 edition of
the PLAXIS Bulletin, including two new user articles
on PLAXIS 3D and the PLAXIS 2D Thermal with the
Frozen/Unfrozen Barcelona Basic Model. We also
highlight some upcoming developments and review
our recent activities like our PM4Sand roadshow, new
additions to the PLAXIS 2D and 3D software, as well
as some new Python based tools.
In the New Development column we review the
history of our Dynamic module which started in 1998
in PLAXIS 2D and was later extended with PLAXIS 3D
Dynamics in 2011. The segment continues to discuss
upcoming new calculation possibilities and a new
material model, PM4Sand, which should all become
available in 2D 2018. Through these developments
we ensure that users can rely on PLAXIS to offer
state of the art facilities for liquefaction and general
dynamics analysis.
In the PLAXIS Expert Services update we discuss
constitutive modelling services provided to Tractebel
Engineering in order to model compressible elements
for tunnel linings in PLAXIS 3D. The work was delivered
as a User Defined Soil Model and offered the client
a quick, convenient and time-saving solution for
their projects.
In the first user contributed article the authors
discuss the three-dimensional modelling done as
part of the development of three new buildings with engineering communities together, the PLAXIS 2D to
basement levels, situated in a triangular site. The site 3D converter, and the new geotechnical capabilities
will feature as a large transport hub connecting the introduced in the PLAXIS 2D and 3D 2017 releases.
eastern parts of Gothenburg. The three-dimensional
analysis was necessary due to project requirement We hope you will enjoy another solid edition of PLAXIS
calling for a detailed ground movement analysis to related content and we look forward to receive your
confirm the impact of pile driving near the adjacent feedback on this 41st edition of the PLAXIS Bulletin!
existing infrastructure.
The Editors
In the second article the authors investigate the
behavior of the Caen’s silt in frost heave through
physical experiments. This Caen silt is highly frost
susceptible. The authors then performed a back
analysis with PLAXIS 2D and the Thermal module,
as well as the new Frozen/Unfrozen Barcelona Basic
model, in order to prove the merit of using PLAXIS
2D to estimate potential damages due to frost heave.
The Plaxis Americas segment discusses the past
activities held in the western hemisphere, like courses,
but more importantly, the West Coast seminars on
dynamic analysis and PM4Sand. Existing users, but also
people unfamiliar with PLAXIS, were invited through
several seminars to find out about our user friendly
and robust solutions to perform dynamic analysis
and were introduced to the more increasingly used
PM4Sand model soon to be available in PLAXIS 2D.
In Recent activities, we discuss the new PLAXIS
Coupling Tool bringing the structural and geotechnical
www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 3
Title
New Developments
Ronald Brinkgreve, Plaxis bv
Since 1998, PLAXIS has dynamic modelling capabilities. In the first decade of existence, the use of the PLAXIS Dynamic Module
was primarily meant to analyse wave propagation in the sub-soil that is caused by external or shallow source vibrations. Since
2008 the necessary functionality has gradually come available to enable different aspects of advanced geotechnical earthquake
analysis. With the upcoming 2D 2018 version the PLAXIS Dynamic Module is fully ready for pre- and post-liquefaction analysis
and geotechnical earthquake design in general.
Geotechnical earthquake analysis requires special
boundar y conditions, such as tied degrees-of-
freedom, free-field and compliant base boundaries.
Tied degrees-of-freedom are used to model one-
dimensional wave propagation in a thin soil column to
enable a detailed ground response analysis. Results
can be presented in the time domain as well as by
frequency spectra. Free field and compliant base
boundaries are meant to absorb waves from the model
domain propagating beyond the model boundaries,
thereby modelling the proper interaction between
the far field and the model domain whilst avoiding
spurious reflections at the model boundaries. This
enables a realistic 2D and 3D dynamic analysis of soil-
structure interaction problems, including liquefaction
evaluation. The latest developments involve three
main new dynamic features:
• PM4Sand model: next generation constitutive
model for liquefaction analysis
• Updated Mesh in dynamic calculations allowing
for large deformation dynamic analysis
• Coupled dynamic-consolidation analysis:
Dissipation of excess pore water pressure in
dynamic calculations.
The PM4Sand model, developed by Professor Ross
Boulanger and Dr. Katerina Ziotopoulou of UC Davis
[1], is an advanced liquefaction model, calibrated
on data from case histories and cyclic lab tests. The
determination and calibration of model parameters
is straight-forward; especially with the cyclic DSS
test available in the PLAXIS SoilTest facility (Figure
1). This makes the model highly applicable for
practical applications. With a proper calibration of
model parameters, the model can accurately predict
4 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com
liquefaction behaviour, and with the post-liquefaction References:
‘switch’ in the model, it also enables lateral spreading • [1] Boulanger, RW and Ziotopoulou, K (2015).
and other post-liquefaction phenomena. The PM4Sand PM4SAND (version 3): A sand plasticity model
model in PLAXIS has been validated against the for earthquake engineering applications. Report
original version 3 of the model, developed by UC No. UCD/CGM-15/01. Center for Geotechnical
Davis. Details will be presented at the GEESD V Modeling, University of California at Davis.
conference in Austin, Texas, in June 2018 [2]. • [2] Vilhar G, Laera A, Foria F, Gupta A, Brinkgreve
RBJ (2018). Implementation, validation and appli-
The development of the PM4Sand model fits in the cation of PM4Sand model in PLAXIS. GEESD V,
PLAXIS tradition of implementing good constitutive Austin, Texas (to be published).
models for practical geotechnical applications. This • [3] Schanz T, Vermeer PA, Bonnier PG (1999). The
tradition started with the linear elastic perfectly plastic Hardening Soil model: Formulation and verification.
Mohr-Coulomb model, followed by the implementation Beyond 2000 in Computational Geotechnics – 10
of the Hardening Soil model [3]. Regarding the latter years of PLAXIS. Balkema, Rotterdam, 281-296.
model, we would like to commemorate professor Tom
Schanz, who passed away recently. Tom devoted a
significant part of his habilitation in the nineties to
the development and validation of the Hardening
Soil model, in collaboration with PLAXIS researchers.
We would like to express our sincere condolences
to his relatives and express our appreciation for the
research that Tom did for PLAXIS.
Hereby I would like to conclude this column of New
Developments. With the existing and new dynamic
capabilities, you can rely on PL A XIS, providing
state-of-the-art facilities for liquefaction analysis and
geotechnical earthquake design in general. We look
forward to hear about your experience with these
facilities in practical applications.
Ronald Brinkgreve
 Title

Figure 1. Results of undrained cyclic DSS test simulation with the PM4Sand model

www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 5

Title

PLAXIS Expert Services helps Tractebel developing a UDSM

for the behavior of compressible elements for tunnel lining in PLAXIS 3D

Nicolas Lambert, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Tractebel

In the framework of PLAXIS Expert Services, Tractebel has been supported in developing a non-linear constitutive model for the
3D behaviour of compressible elements for tunnel lining.

Context
In weak rock or under high overburden, considerable
displacements occur during excavation of tunnels
and galleries. The stresses developing in many cases
exceed the yield limit of standard linings, frequently
leading to severe damages and the necessity of costly
repairs. To allow for a safe and economical tunnel
construction, strategies have to be used, which
guarantee support characteristics compatible with
the strains, and at the same time utilize the supports
as much as possible.

One system consists in loading steel tubes (arranged

parallel and in layers) perpendicular to their axis, which
leads to an oval shape, when loaded (see figure 1).

Modelling work
When these elements are submitted to a compression
force (see figure 2), they first behave elastically (tube
stiffness – phase 1). In a second time, the tubes
begin to collapse and the stiffness of the element is
strongly decreased (phase 2). Beyond a certain load,
the tubes are completely crushed and the stiffness
of the element increases again, back to a value close
to the initial one (phase 3).
The modelling strategy here consists in representing
such flexible segment lining as volume element and
developing a specific constitutive material law in the
framework of a UDSM (User Defined Soil Model). The
user defined model works on the set of following set
of user-input value input value:
• E1: Elastic Young's modulus in local 1 direction
• E1, plas: Equivalent elastoplastic Young's modulus
in local 1 direction during buckling
• e1,b: Deformation at start of buckling
• e1,e : Deformation at end of buckling
• E2: Elastic Young's modulus in local 2 direction
Figure 1. Illustration of the adjustable flexible segment lining technique
• E3: Elastic Young's modulus in local 3 direction
• G12: Shear modulus in local 12 directions
• G23: Shear modulus in local 23 directions
• G31: Shear modulus in local 31 directions
• Local Coodinates Type: Specification of local
coordinates system: 1 is rectangular local axis
2 is cylindrical local axis
• Dir2X: Axial direction X
• Dir2Y: Axial direction Y
• Dir2Z: Axial direction Z
• CenterX: X-coordinate of point on axis of revolution
if Local Coodinates Type=2
• CenterY: Y-coordinate of point on axis of revolution
if Local Coodinates Type=2
• CenterZ: Z-coordinate of point on axis of revolution
if Local Coodinates Type=2
The local axes directions are supposed to be defined
as follows:
• Direction 2 is parallel to the tunnel axis;
• Direction 3 is perpendicular to the tunnel lining;
• Direction 1 is perpendicular to both directions
2 and 3; it is the direction in which the trilinear
behaviour is available.
Input values of the model parameters E1, E2, E3, G12,
G13, G23 has to be calculated by the user based on:
• Ematerial
• Tube thickness and diameter
• Outer frame thickness
• Inner frame thickness

6 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com

 Title

• Tube Spacing in local 2 direction
• Number of tube in local 3 direction
Once implemented the UDSM has been validated
against available test data and finally used in complex
3D projects also involving tunnel intersection (see
figure 3).
About Tractebel mission to actively shape the world of tomorrow.
At the helm of the Energy Transition, Tractebel With about 4,400 experts and offices in 33 countries,
provides a full range of engineering and consulting we are able to offer our customers multidisciplinary
services throughout the life cycle of its clients’ projects, solutions in energy, water and infrastructure.
including design and project management. As one of
the world’s largest engineering consultancy companies
and with more than 150 years of experience, it's our

“Use of compressible elements is a key point in the present gallery application.

Such structures could not be modelled easily in PLAXIS with the existing behaviour laws.
A workaround solution consisted in slicing the calculations into sub-stages with Python
scripting, but this solution was very difficult to manage for a complex 3D model.
The development of a specific UDSM by PES helped us getting quickly a convenient and
time-saving solution to our problem.”
Nicolas Lambert, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Tractebel

Figure 3. 3D tunnel application

Figure 2. Typical behaviour of adjustable flexible segment lining (a) Connectivity plot – (b) Major principal strains

www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 7

Predicting Pile Driving Induced Movement in Gothenburg Soft Clay

Yeganeh Attari, Paul Doherty, Paul Quigley - Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions, Dublin, Ireland. Nicholas Lusack - Sigma Civil AB, Stockholm, Sweden

Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions Ltd. (GDG) conducted an extensive study, analysing the effects of pile driving in extremely soft
clay for a development in Gamlestad, Gothenburg. GDG was commissioned by Sigma Civil Engineering Ltd. who were providing
design advice to Serneke Construction Ltd. The proposed development comprised of three buildings ranging between 5 to 18
stories in addition to two basement levels, planned to be built on a triangular shaped site. The development will act as a transport
hub interlinking trains, trams and buses connecting the eastern parts of Gothenburg (Figures 1 & 2). The piled site is bounded by
the Gamlestad bridge (supported on piles) to the west and the River Säveån to the south. The Partihallen viaduct is also located
to the south and the Marieholm tunnel project is to the west of the area planned for piling. One of the planning requirements
was to undertake a detailed ground movement analysis to confirm the impact of the construction on the adjacent infrastructure
that bordered the highly constrained site.

Neighbouring works by Trafikkontoret included new

double tram tracks on two of the three sides of the
property. All tram lines around the property were
designed as elevated bridge structures or piled deck
structures and the dual train line consists of a station on
a piled bridge structure. Hence, there were substantial
risks concerning ground interactions between the
different piled structures for tram, train and the new
development. Furthermore, the footprint of the new
building was to be maximised, while simultaneously
trying to minimise any interaction with the adjacent
infrastructure, requiring an innovative engineering
approach.

The primary geotechnical challenge for this site was

predicting lateral soil displacement as a response to
driving of 350 precast, reinforced concrete piles with
square dimensions ranging from 235mm to 350mm.
The piles needed to be driven to 40m below ground
to support the new structure. Hercules Grundläggning
was commissioned to carry out the piling works.

The main construction measure applied to prevent

heave and lateral movements in neighbouring areas
was pre-augering to a depth of 12m before installing
a precast pile into the void and driven to the design
depth. GDG’s responsibility was to predict the
movements due to pile driving.
Figure 1. Architectural rendering of the proposed development, (Sigma Civil Ltd.)

8 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com

Ground Conditions
The ground conditions represent some of the most
challenging soils that exist worldwide, with the soft
clay extending to more than 40m depth, necessitating
extensive piling works.

GDG reviewed the site-specific geotechnical

information to produce a ground model that
incorporated the stratigraphy and mechanical soil
characteristics. The available site investigation
testing identified the generalised ground conditions
as comprising approximately 40m of soft ground
material overlying bedrock. Material properties of the
soil were estimated based on the recommendations
by Edstam & Kullingsjö (2010) for Gothenburg soft
clay. The undrained shear strength of the soil (c u) was
deemed to be 15kN/m2 with a gradient of 1kN/m2/m
and a constant average stiffness of approximately
10MPa was assumed. Furthermore, an undrained
behaviour was defined for the surrounding soil to allow
for the occurrence of lateral and vertical displacements
generated as a result of volumetric expansion during
pile installation.
Table 1. Soil Parameters employed in the PLAXIS models
Description Value
Soil Unit Weight (kN/m3) 17
Poisson’s Ratio, o 0.2
Young’s Modulus, E (MPa) 9.6
Figure 2. Aerial photo of the triangular shaped piling site bounded by railway bridge, river and tram lines, (www.hitta.se)
Methodology
The act of installing the piles would cause the site
to expand laterally outwards, stressing the existing
foundations of adjacent structures. GDG was tasked
with accurately modelling the pile installation and
quantifying the level of interaction between the new
piles and the existing construction. As a result, a cost
effective pile design was developed that allowed the
project to economically proceed, while simultaneously
minimising any negative impacts on the adjacent
structures.
The numerical analysis to predict the effect of pile
installation into the soft soil on the adjacent buildings
was undertaken using PLAXIS 3D Finite Element (FE)
package. The pile driving was simulated using the
volumetric expansion method (VEM), by simulating
Volumetric Strain within the soil body. This feature
allows changes in an element’s volume that induces
additional stresses in the surrounding soil which
introduces deflections around the model until a global
equilibrium of stresses is reached. A Linear Elastic
constitutive model was used to model the sub-soil.
This soil model was chosen since the deflections
considered were relatively large and outside the “small
strain” zone. The main aim of the study was to capture
the Large Strains occurring in close distances from
the piles as a result of driving. Furthermore, this soil
model had provided satisfactory results in previous
research of Gothenburg Clay soil movements (Edstam
& Kullingsjö, 2010; Nenonen & Ruul, 2011). Although
the Linear Elastic constitutive model is recognised
as a relatively simple soil model in comparison with
non-linear models, the successful use of it in previous
research on Gothenburg Clay and the subsequent
calibration detailed below made it a favourable choice
for the purpose of this project.
Considering the complexity of the problem and the
highly non-linear nature of the calculations, it was
deemed necessary to validate the approach using a
simplified geometry. In other words, Careful calibration
was essential in validating the Linear Elastic model
so that the results could be considered accurate.
Hence, the numerical problem was initially validated
using a single pile expansion and comparing the
numerical results to published data from related
research conducted by Xu et al. (2006). In his study, Xu

www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 9

Predicting Pile Driving Induced Movement in Gothenburg Soft Clay

et al. (2006) managed to predict ground movements
caused by pile installation using Shallow Strain Path
Method (SSPM). This method suggests that during
pile installation, movements in the surrounding soil
are relative to the pile tip movement similar to the
flow of an incompressible inviscid fluid around the pile
tip. The output of the single-pile installation analysis
in Plaxis was compared with the results generated
from the empirical method recommended for this
problem by Xu (2006) and good agreement was found
between the results (see Figure 3).
Following validation, the numerical model was
then expanded to take into account multiple pile
installations according to the pile layout drawings
for the site. The reaction of the buildings adjacent to
the piling area was also simulated using a superpile
approach. This methodology allowed groups of smaller
piles supporting the structure to be represented
as single ‘superpiles’ which were expanded to the
equivalent volume of soil displaced by the sum of
the real piles. The models took into account the
effect of the pre-bore intended to be performed
during construction. For this reason, no volume
expansion was assigned to the top 12m of the piles.
Furthermore, the pre-existing foundations of the
adjacent bridge structures were also modelled as
piled rafts surrounding the new piling location, based
on the as-built drawings (see Figure 4).
Results
Based on the results of the FE analysis, the foundation
of the buildings located to the south and south-west
of the piling site were not excessively affected by the

Figure 3. Predicted heave generated due to a single pile driving in soil using PLAXIS compared to Xu et al. (2006) results

Figure 4. Developed numerical model in PLAXIS

10 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com


Figure 5. Results of numerical model analysis in PLAXIS
pile driving. However, the results suggest that the
piles to the immediate west of the foundation may
be damaged due to piling works since the distance
between the two sites was less than 1m. It was
also observed that the new pile installations could
detrimentally affect the adjacent piled structures by
generating excessive moments and shear forces in the
exiting piles. For these areas, the use of bored piles
instead of driven piles was recommended. Further
numerical predictions indicated that buildings on
the west side of the piling site could be in a critical
situation if pile driving was conducted closer than 7.5m
to them, allowing a minimum safe piling distance to be
established. The maximum displacement predicted
in the soil adjacent to the piling works was predicted
to be circa 50mm (as indicated by the displacement
contours in Figure 5).
Construction phase
The models were reviewed by Trafikkontoret and it
was concluded that a maximum lateral displacement
of approximately 50mm was to be expected for the
most critical adjacent structure due to the new pile
installation works. Given the innovative nature of the
design, GDG recommended a practical observational
approach to validate the results by using on-site
Predicting Pile Driving Induced Movement in Gothenburg Soft Clay
Figure 6. A view of the construction phase, (Sigma Civil Ltd.)
monitoring to record the ground movements. This
approach also validated the accuracy of the 3D
simulations. During the piling operations shown in
Figure 6 inclinometers were installed on site in order
to monitor the soil displacements in the area. All
structures were additionally monitored by surveying
structural movements in all directions. It can be
concluded that the FE analysis gave very accurate
result and actual maximum soil movements were
recorded to be below 50mm.
The maximum movement has since decreased as the
effective stress have equalised following completion of
the piling works. Ultimately, the project was completed
on time and in budget, largely due to the complex
numerical modelling that allowed a detailed piling
sequence to be developed.
Summary Points
• The extensive depths of soft clay (>40m) underlying
Gothenburg pose a significant challenge for
constructing deep foundations.
• Lateral displacement of soil due to pile driving
is a particular concern for adjacent structures.
• Pre-boring can partially reduce the impact of pile
driving.
www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin
• Detailed 3D numerical modelling using cavity
expansion approaches can accurately simulate
the piling induced soil displacements.
• Calibration of such numerical models is critical to
determining accurate results.
• The Gamlestad project was successfully completed
with no negative impact on the surrounding
structures.
• The predicted movements of the soft clay were seen
to accurately represent the lateral displacements
observed during construction.
References
• Edstam, T., & Kullingsjö, A. (2010). Ground
displacements due to pile driving in Gothenburg
clay, Proc. Numerical Methods in Geotechncial
Engineering, Benz & Nordal (eds), p625–630.
• Xu, X.T., Liu, H.L. and Lehane, B.M (2006). Pipe pile
installation effects in soft clay, Proc. Geotechnical
Engineering (October), 285–296.
• Nenonen. P & Ruul. J (2011), Environmental impact
of pile driving (An FE-analysis of the displacement
of the Skäran bridge), Master's Thesis, Chalmers
University of Technology.
11
Back analysis of Caen’s test by the recently developed frozen/unfrozen soil

H. Rostami, S. A. Ghoreishian Amiri , G. Grimstad - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

Prediction of frost heave is crucial in the design and safety analysis of structures on frost susceptible soils. Frost heave is defined
as an upward displacement of soil caused by sucking in water during a freezing period. Frost heave is one of the major sources of
damage to transportation infrastructures, such as roads, pipelines, and railways. Caen frost heave experiments were operated in
a large-scale laboratory facility in Caen, France, by Canadian and French researchers. The incentive was to study how soil around
a chilled pipe, which carries a cold liquefied gas, will behave. In this paper, the recently developed frozen-unfrozen soil model
(Ghoreishian Amiri et al., 2016a) is applied for back analysis of the experiment. The model is available as a user defined soil model
in PLAXIS 2D. The object of this article is to show PLAXIS abilities in THM analysis of frozen soils.

Frozen/unfrozen soil model
The frozen/unfrozen soil model was recently developed
by Ghoreishian Amiri et al. (2016b). The model is able
to represent many of the fundamental features of the
behavior of frozen soils, such as the ice segregation
phenomenon and strength weakening due to pressure
melting. This is a two-stress-state variables model
based on the solid phase stress and cryogenic suction.
The solid phase stress is defined as the combined
stress of soil grains and ice, and the cryogenic suction
is defined as the pressure difference
The details of the model formulation and parameters
determination can be found in Ghoreishian Amiri et
al. (2016a) and Aukenthaler (2016), however, the main
parts of the model are briefly reviewed here. The yield
surfaces of the model are defined as:
2 the influence of m on the shape of the yield surface
 q* 
F1 = ( p* − kt S ) ( p* − kt S ) swm − ( p*y − kt S )  +   = 0.
M 
F2 =
S − S seg / sw =
0.
r is a constant related to the maximum stiffness of the
soil, b is a parameter controlling the rate of change
in soil stiffness with suction and Sseg is the threshold
value of suction for the ice segregation phenomenon.
Figure 1 shows the complete yield surfaces of the
model in p) - q) - S space for m = 0 . Figure 2 shows
(3) at a constant value of sw = 0.01 .
(4)

between ice and liquid water phases, which can be

calculated using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation where
(Thomas et al., 2009):
λ0 −κ
 p*y  λ −κ
* *
p = p  *0  (5)
σ *= σ − sw pw I (1)
y
 pc 
c
 

T
S= − ρi l ln
pw − pi = (2) λ = λ0 [ (1 − r ) exp(− β S ) + r ] (6) Figure 1. Three-dimensional view of the yield surfaces in
T0 p*- q* - S space for m=0

)
where v is the solid phase stress (compressive stress
s
is negative), w is the unfrozen water saturation (i.e.
the ratio of the volume of unfrozen water on the volume
of frozen and unfrozen water), pw denotes the water
phase pressure (pressure is negative), I denotes the
unit tensor, s is the cryogenic suction, pi denotes
the ice phase pressure, t i indicates the density of
ice, l is the specific latent heat of fusion, T stands
for temperature on the thermodynamic scale and
T0 is the thawing temperature of ice.
12 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com
and p) is the solid phase mean stress, q) denotes
the solid phase deviatoric stress, M stands or the
slope of the critical state line, kt is the parameter
for describing the increase in apparent cohesion
with suction, m is a constant controlling the shape
of the yield surface with unfrozen water saturation,
p c) indicates the reference stress, l denotes the
compressibility coefficient of the system within the
elastic region, m 0 represents the compressibility
coefficient for the unfrozen state along virgin loading,
Figure 2. Influence of m on the shape of the yield surface in
p* - q* plane at sw = 0.01
Hardening rules are defined as: the Caen silt was used, and for low frost susceptible Two major cycles of freezing and thawing were
soil SNEC sand was used. A steel pipeline carrying conducted in this experiment, first started in
a cold liquefied gas with 5mm wall thickness, 27.3cm September 1982 with four freezing and three thawing
dp*y0 1+ e 1+ e
=
− d ε vmp − d ε vsp (7) diameter and 210 GPa elastic modulus was buried 33cm periods, and lasted until May 1989. A second cycle
p*y0 λ0 − κ 0 λ0 − κ 0 below the surface. All lateral boundaries were thermally of freezing and thawing periods was run between
and hydraulically closed, the bottom boundary was 1990 and 1993. In this study, just one of the freezing
dS seg 1+ e 1+ e  S  mp (8) adiabatic and permeable, and the top boundary was periods from the first cycle of freezing and thawing
= d ε vsp + 1 −  d ε v
S seg + pat λs + κ s λs + κ s impermeable but with imposed temperature. Figure is simulated. In this period, the top boundary had a
 S seg 
3 shows a schematic view of the facility. temperature of -0.75oC and the pipeline temperature

Where dε mp and dε sp are the plastic parts of strain

due to the solid phase stress and cryogenic suction
variations, respectively.

Finally, the flow rules are defined as:

∂Q1 (9)
dε mp = d λ1
∂σ *

∂F2 (10)
dε sp = −d λ2 I
∂S

where d λ1 and d λ2 are the plastic multipliers and

Q1 is the plastic potential function.

2 2
 p*y + kt S   q* 
swγ  p* −
Q1 =  +  (11)
 2   M 

Note that, there are small modifications in equations

(2) and (8) compared with the original formulation
introduced in Ghoreishian Amiri et al. (2016a).

Caen’s experiment
This large-scale test facility (16m long, 8m wide and
1.75m high) was constructed at Station de Gel at Le
Centre de Geomorphologie at Caen, France (Dallimore,
1985). In this test, two soils with obviously different Figure 3. Schematic view of Caen’s facility (Selvadurai et al., 1999)
frost susceptibility were used for creating the same
situation as in the field. For highly frost susceptible soil

www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 13

Back analysis of Caen’s test by the recently developed frozen/unfrozen soil

was maintained at a constant value of -5oC, while the

initial temperature of the system was 4oC. Deformations
were measured and reported for four points (sites)
on the surface of the soil body. A schematic view of
monitoring locations is given in figure 4.

Figure 4. Schematic view for the cross section of Caen’s test (Selvadurai et al., 1999)

Model setup tables 1-6. The “Van Genuchten” model parameters

The THM version of PLAXIS 2D is used for the for unfrozen water content and relative permeability
simulation. Due to symmetry, one half of the cross versus temperature are estimated based on curve
section is considered. The mesh used for the simulation fitting to experimental data (figures 6-7).
is shown in figure 5. The water table is located at
90 cm below the surface but the whole domain is
assumed to be saturated due to capillary action.
The material properties of the model are given in

Figure 5. Spatial discretization of the domain

14 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com

 Back analysis of Caen’s test by the recently developed frozen/unfrozen soil

Table 1. General properties of soil Table 4. Constitutive model parameters of soil Table 5. Thermal properties of water and ice phases

Table 2. Hydraulic properties of soil

Table 6. Pipeline properties

Table 3. Thermal properties of soil

Figure 6. Unfrozen water saturation versus temperature

Figure 7. Relative permeability of the soil versus temperature

Simulation results
The simulation was conducted for 359 days. The
contour of ice saturation after 359 days is shown
in figure 8. As expected, freezing is initiated from
two areas; around the pipeline and from the top
boundary. As shown in the figure, frost penetration
occurs slowly and there is still an unfrozen area in
the domain after 359 days. As expected from the
Figure 8. Ice-saturation contour after 359 days unfrozen water content curve, some unfrozen water
remains in the frozen area.

www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 15

Back analysis of Caen’s test by the recently developed frozen/unfrozen soil

The temperature contours showing the evolu-
tion of the freezing front during the freezing
period are presented in figure 9. Similar to ice
saturation results, some portion of silt still has
a temperature above the freezing temperature
even at the end of the simulation. In figure 10,
the simulation results for the evolution of the 0oC
isotherm for the period of 50 days is compared
with the experimental results (Smith and Patterson,
1989). In the figure, the simulation results for 0 oC
isotherm after 50 days of freezing is shown with
the white line, which should be compared with
the first black line representing the experimental
results of the 0 oC isotherm for the same period of
freezing. As shown in the figure, simulation results
are in a reasonable agreement with the experiment.
Figure 11 shows the frost heave at the end of the
freezing period. A total heave of 22 cm is observed
around the centerline of the pipe at the end of the
simulation period. In figure 12, the heave displacement
at monitoring points (sites 1-4) located right above
the centerline, 25 cm, 60 cm and 100 cm from the
centerline of the pipe, are compared with the simula-
tion results, and reasonable agreement is achieved.
The simulation results for pipe movement are also
compared with the experimental results in figure 13.
Frost heave occurs by transport of water into the
freezing front. Figures 11-13 show that PLAXIS can
successfully simulate this phenomenon, and figure
14 shows transport of water into the frozen area of
the soil. This could end up in formation of ice lenses
in the soil body. Note that PLAXIS uses a continuum
approach for simulating the frost heave phenomenon,
and cannot directly simulate ice lens forming.

Figure 9. Temperature profiles at selected time steps

Figure 10. Comparison of simulated and experimental results for the 0oC isotherm after 50 days

16 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com

 Back analysis of Caen’s test by the recently developed frozen/unfrozen soil

Figure 11. Frost heave after 359 days

Figure 12. Heave displacements from experiments and simulation

www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 17

Back analysis of Caen’s test by the recently developed frozen/unfrozen soil

Figure 13. Pipe movement from experiment and simulation

Figure 14. Transport of water into the frozen area

18 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com


Conclusion
In this article, the frozen/unfrozen soil model is used
for back analysis of Caen’s frost heave experiment.
The THM version of PLAXIS 2D is used as the finite
element platform of the simulation. Caen’s experiment
is a field-scale test reporting frost heave deformation
of soils due to freezing, and has been used as a
benchmark problem for validating computational
models. Frost heave is a coupled THM phenomenon
that occurs by transport of water into the freezing
front of frost susceptible soils like silt.
Temperature distribution and frost heave deformation
resulting from the simulation are compared with the
experimental data at different locations in the domain,
and reasonable agreement is achieved. Results show
the capability of the model in simulating the frost
heave phenomenon as a result of ice segregation.
Acknowledgment
This work is carried out as part of SAMCoT (Sustainable
Arctic Marine and Coastal Technology) project
supported by the Research Council of Norway though
the Centre for Research based Innovation.
Back analysis of Caen’s test by the recently developed frozen/unfrozen soil
References
• Aukenthaler, M. (2016) The frozen unfrozen barcelona
basic model: A verification and validation of a new
constitutive model. Msc thesis, Delft University
of Technology.
• Dallimore, S. (1985) Observations and predictions
of frost heave around a chilled pipeline. Msc thesis,
Carleton University.
• Ghoreishian Amiri, S. A., Grimstad, G., Aukenthaler,
M., Panagoulias, M., Brinkgreve, R. B. J. & Haxaire,
A. (2016a) The frozen and unfrozen soil model.
• Ghoreishian Amiri, S. A., Grimstad, G., Kadivar, M.
& Nordal, S. (2016b) Constitutive model for rate-
independent behavior of saturated frozen soils.
Canadian Geotechnical Journal 53(10):1646-1657.
• Selvadurai, A. P. S., Hu, J. & Konuk, I. (1999)
Computational modelling of frost heave
induced soil–pipeline interaction: II. modelling of
experiments at the caen test facility. Cold Regions
Science and Technology 29(3):229–257.
• Smith, M. W. & Patterson, D. E. (1989) Detailed
observations on the nature of frost heaving at a field
scale. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 26(2):306-312.
• Thomas, H. R., Harris, C., Cleall, P., Kern-Luetschg,
M. & Li, Y. C. (2009) Modelling of cryogenic
processes in permafrost and seasonally frozen
soils. Géotechnique 59(3):173-184.
www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 19
 Plaxis Americas
The year 2017 has been a very dynamic year in many
respects – we have been very active working with
and for our clients, as well as giving extra attention
to dynamic analysis and earthquake engineering in
PLAXIS. More on the recent West Coast seminars
on dynamic analysis and the PM4Sand model below.
Courses, trainings and more
Plaxis Americas has continued to offer a variety of
educational events, ranging from free one-hour
webinars to multiday classroom courses. Classroom
courses of note were the standard courses in New
York in April and in Charlotte NC in December, the
advanced course in New York in July and the master
classes in New York and Los Angeles. The first master
classes were tailored towards practitioners working
on geotechnics in the urban environment industry
to provide a good understanding of Plaxis 2D for
earth retaining structures and deep foundations, and
deep excavations respectively. Other master classes
offered were dedicated to tunnel engineering and
dynamic analysis.
In addition, Plaxis provided a diverse portfolio of
services under the Plaxis Expert Services program
such as model reviews, mentoring and tailor-made
online and in-house trainings sessions in the US and
Canada. Plaxis Americas engineer Sean Johnson
provided several multiday in-house trainings sessions
in 2017. A noteworthy training was requested by a
large regional governmental agency that, although it
currently does not have PLAXIS licenses, frequently is
confronted by proposals using PLAXIS, and therefore
feels the need to learn more about geotechnical finite
element modeling in general, and PLAXIS specifi-
cally. A desire was expressed to focus on giving a
deeper understanding of how PLAXIS users decide
on constitutive model selection and associated input
date consistency, and how sensitive results are by
decisions made by the PLAXIS user. A tailor-made
straightforward two-day program was planned that
included sessions on topics such as:
• determining input parameters from field data (eg
SPT and CPT),
• PLAXIS SoilTest facility,
20 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com
• boundary conditions, geometry selection and
meshing,
• structural elements and soil-structure interaction,
• initial stresses and adjacent buildings,
• factor of safety and slope stability analysis,
• sensitivity analysis and parameter variation facility.
Plaxis Americas presented itself at many industry
events across the US and Canada, and we feel grateful
and humbled seeing many papers using PLAXIS at
2017 editions of leading North American conferences
such as Geo-Congress, Canadian Geotechnical Soci-
ety, Deep Foundation Institute annual conference,
United States Society on Dams, and Rapid Excavation
& Tunneling Conference.
West Coast seminars on dynamic analysis and
PM4Sand
Although PLAXIS is widely used for dynamic analysis
in North America, when speaking with engineers
who are not very familiar with PLAXIS, we frequently
encounter misconceptions or dated information about
PLAXIS’ capabilities of modeling seismic events. We
believe these engineers are missing out as PLAXIS has
made great progress regarding dynamic analysis and
earthquake engineering in the past decade. We are
convinced PLAXIS has surpassed other programs in
this field, especially considering PLAXIS’ advantages
regarding automatic sub-stepping, fast calculation
times, and user-friendly environment.
To inform the industry, we decided to put together
seminars – targeting both PLAXIS users and non-users
alike – on the current state of dynamic analysis and
the recent implementation of the PM4Sand model in
PLAXIS 2D in the four most relevant North American
regions: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los
Angeles areas. In the Seattle and Los Angeles areas
we partnered with the respective local Geo-Institute
chapters, and we provided two hands-on exercises
giving attendees a real-life experience using the
PM4Sand model in PLAXIS. Well over one hundred
people attended the four seminars.
Dr. Ronald Brinkgreve, manager of the Compe-
tence Centre Geo-Engineering at Plaxis, gave
an over view of the current state of modeling
dynamic events in PLA XIS. His topics included:
• constitutive models such as the Hardening Soil,
Hardening Soil with small strain stiffness (HSsmall),
Generalized Hardening Soil (GHS) models,
• liquefaction analysis using UBC3D-PLM model
(3D implementation of UBC Sand),
• material and Rayleigh damping,
• input motions,
• mesh considerations for a dynamic analysis,
• boundary conditions (none, viscous, free-field,
compliant base, tied degrees of freedom and all
node fixities),
• calculation parameters such as time steps and
sub steps,
• Newmark time integration,
• mass matrix,
• automated pre-calculation checks,
• options to display seismic calculation results.
Attention was also given to available validation studies,
manuals and best-practices (available through our
online Knowledge Base), as well as to the many peer-
reviewed papers using PLAXIS for dynamic analysis.
Next, Dr. Ronald Brinkgreve presented on the recent
implementation of the sand plasticity model PM4Sand
(version 3, 2015) in PLAXIS 2D. The PM4Sand model
is a stress-ratio controlled, critical state compatible,
bounding surface plasticity model for sand, and was
developed for geotechnical earthquake engineering
applications by Professors Boulanger and Ziotopoulou
at the University of California, Davis. In recent years,
this constitutive model has gained significant popular-
ity and now for the first time sees implementation in
a widely used finite element program. Presentation
topics included the main characteristics of this model,
and modeling considerations for using this model in
PLAXIS 2D such as the primary and secondary input
parameters for this model.
At select seminars, attendees could gain hands-on
experience with the PM4Sand model in PLA XIS
2D by means of two exercises. The aim of the first
exercise is to simulate published CSR-N curves using
cyclic direct simple shear simulations in the PLAXIS
SoilTest facility, and validates the implementation
of the PM4Sand model in PLAXIS. The aim of the
second exercise is to perform a 1D wave propaga-
tion analysis to predict the onset of liquefaction in
a sandy layer using the PM4Sand model in PLAXIS.
Attendees were very enthusiastic about the ease and
speed of these calculations, and the in-sight it gives
on the PM4Sand model.
To summarize, these seminars showed attendees the
current state of dynamic and liquefaction analysis using
the PM4Sand model in PLAXIS. Many attendees left
convinced that PLAXIS is the preferred program for
dynamic and liquefaction analysis over other available
programs that are either limited in scope, or more
time consuming and research oriented. PLAXIS offers
a well-validated, robust, and user-friendly alternative
for dynamic modeling and earthquake engineering.

Plaxis West Coast seminars, left to right, top to bottom: Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles

www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 21

 Recent activities

PLAXIS Coupling tool
With the PLAXIS Coupling Tool, released in 2017, we
bring structural and geotechnical engineers closer
together, allowing users to perform advanced non-
linear soil-structure interaction calculations with
SAP2000 and PLAXIS 3D. Through the Coupling Tool
users can select load cases from SAP and have the
loads at the bottom of the SAP model transferred
directly onto the subsurface model in PLAXIS 3D. In
the coupling process, the calculated displacements in
PLAXIS are sent to SAP in the form of updated spring
stiffnesses, after which SAP recalculates the resulting
displacements and forces in the structural model.
The process is repeated until a balance is found.
Non-linear geogrids
Two new types of behavior for geogrids are introduced.
Users can now include elastoplastic, or viscoelastic
behavior. For elastoplastic behavior users can define
N-epsilon diagrams. With the viscoelastic behavior,
creep can be taken into account for geogrids.
Python integration in Expert Menu (VIP)
Using remote scripting has become more user
friendly and easier with incorporation of a Python
sub menu in the Expert Menu. Users can launch a
Python interpreter, a Python Editor, and a Python
Command prompt directly from PLAXIS to start
modelling by use of the scripting language. There is
also an option to bookmark scripts and directly run
favorite scripts from PLAXIS. The integration also
means nice libraries can be added, one of these is
the PyQtGraph packages a convenient library to use
for advanced plotting options with Python.
Multiply command for numeric properties
The multiply command can be used to for instance
multiply a set of loads with various load components
by a factor higher or lower than 1. This command
can be issued in the various modes on numerous
objects, and especially for staged construction it
offers a convenient way to explore alternate load
conditions, thermal conditions, initial conditions etc.

The coupling tool also illustrates the power of the

Python-based scripting environment in PLAXIS and
what potential applications can be created in the
framework of PLAXIS Customization Services.

PLAXIS 2D to 3D Converter
With the PLAXIS 2D to 3D Converter, your 2D model
geometry and soil properties will be converted as
an extruded model in PLAXIS 3D. This eliminates
cumbersome redefinition of the soil layering and
material models, so users can immediately proceed
with defining the remainder of the 3D model and the
construction stages.

Release of PLAXIS 2D 2017

With the release of PLAXIS 2D 2017 we have added
some geotechnical and usability improvements.

64-bit release & performance improvements

PLAXIS 2D 2017 is the first full 64-bit 2D release
including numerous speed improvements allowing
the software to deal with more complex projects.

Cross & parallel permeability in interfaces

In the Interfaces tab of the material dataset users can PLAXIS Coupling tool
now select between permeable, impermeable and
semi-permeable options to define cross permeability.
Parallel permeability is defined here as well. Output
facilities have been extended with options to inspect
the flow through and along the interfaces.

22 Plaxis Bulletin l Issue 41, 2017 l www.plaxis.com

Release of PLAXIS 3D 2017
The release of PLAXIS 3D 2017 has brought several
great improvements for geotechnical modelling.
Some features had previously been released in 2D
2017, which are nonlinear geogrids. Cross & parallel
permeability in interfaces, the multiply command and
can be read about in the PLAXIS 2D 2017 section.
Other new features include:
Elastoplasticity for plates and beams
The material models for beams and plates have been
extended with an option for elastoplasticity. Users
can input yield stress and moment of resistance, and
in the side panel, cross-sectional properties, plastic
moment and axial force can be viewed, calculated
from the input parameters. Output has been updated
with tools to inspect if and where plasticity in the
structural elements occurred.
Export PLAXIS model to CAD
Via the user interface, users can now export their
whole PLAXIS model to CAD format. This can also
be done through the command line where additional
conditions can be given, exporting only parts of the
model. The exported model can be used for post-
processing or incorporation into BIM workflow. With
command based *.STL generation PLAXIS models are
suitable for 3D printing.
circular structures or parts thereof like LNG tanks, or
dome shape objects, natively in PLAXIS 3D. Combining
this with the existing combine, intersect and extrude
tools, users can create complex shapes in their models.
Hoek-Brown parameter guide
Via the side-panel of the Hoek-Brown material model
users can find an interactive parameter guide for the
model, consisting for example of selectable rock types
and proposed magnitudes for the UCS, a searchable
and clickable rock database for Mi, etc. An analysis
tab is available as well, automatically plotting the
major and minor principal stress based on the given
parameters.
Create tunnel subsection from point
In the tunnel designer it has become easier to create
subsections, as users can define a subsection by right-
clicking on a point and start the subsection from there.
This speeds up drawing of, for example, an elephant’s
foot or sidewall drift on your tunnel cross-section.
Dynamically loaded rigid bodies
Users can now apply dynamic loading to rigid bodies
allowing them to model for example cyclic loads due to
wind or wave loading on wind turbine foundations, or
any other type of foundation which may be modelled
as a rigid body.
Nurbssurface generation from point cloud
This experimental feature in the form of a command,
allows users to directly import text based point cloud
data into PLAXIS. Users can input the number of grid
cells in two directions, which will influence the degree
of approximation of the point cloud. The denser the
grid the better the interpolation and approximation.
Feedback from users on this feature will serve as
input for future improvement and deployment of a
user friendly solution for importing and processing
point cloud data.
More information on how to access this feature can
be requested via support@plaxis.com.

Improved sequence definition for NATM tunnels

Users can now select between “TBM” and “NATM”
excavation methods. The “NATM” method introduces
new behaviour for the automatic generation of the
construction stages. Users can define a number of
slices after which the tunnel face propagation will be
halted. In subsequent phases those slices will first be
fully excavated before the tunnel face propagates
again. This behaviour is more in line with NATM
excavations in practice. 2D to 3D Generated NURB surface

Revolve around axis tool

Users can use the Revolve around axis tool to easily
create a revolving extrusion along an arbitrary axis
and number of degrees to create volumes, shells or
surfaces. This offers a powerful tool for modelling

www.plaxis.com l Issue 41, 2017 l Plaxis Bulletin 23

Title

Upcoming events 2017 - 2018

27 November 8 December 19 - 22 March

Workshop: Practical use of PLAXIS 2D Workshop on Deep Excavation in Clay Advanced Course on
for Tunnel Applications in Geo-Engineering Short term vs long term behaviour Computational Geotechnics
Innsbruck, Austria Delft, The Netherlands Schiphol, The Netherlands

27 November 12 - 14 December 11 - 12 April

Hong Kong PLAXIS Users’ Meeting 2017 Advanced Course on Workshop on PLAXIS for
Hong Kong Computational Geotechnics Excavation and Tunnel analysis
Bandung, Indonesia Istanbul, Turkey
28 - 29 November
Workshop: Introduction to 12 - 15 December 10 - 13 June
Geotechnical Modelling with PLAXIS Standard Course on GEESD V
Hong Kong Computational Geotechnics Austin, TX, USA
Charlotte, NC, USA
30 November 18 - 21 June
Workshop: Advanced Workshop on 22 - 25 January Standard Course on
Modelling Embankments on Softground Standard Course on Computational Geotechnics
Hong Kong Computational Geotechnics Manchester, United Kingdom
Schiphol, The Netherlands
5 December 25 - 27 June
PLAXIS Online Training 19 - 21 February NUMGE 2018
Practical use of consolidation analysis Standard Course on Porto, Portugal
and the Soft Soil Creep model in PLAXIS Computational Geotechnics
Ostfildern, Germany 2 - 5 July
6 - 8 December ICOLD 2018
STUVA Conference 2017 5 March Vienna, Austria
Stuttgart, Germany IFCEE 2018
Orlando, FL, USA
7 December
Workshop on Material Models
and Parameters in PLAXIS
Delft, The Netherlands

TECHNICAL WRITER (GEO-ENGINEERING)

VACANCIES SENIOR SCIENTIFIC SOFTWARE ENGINEER
RESEARCH ENGINEER ROCK MECHANICS AND CONSTITUTIVE MODELLING

Fore more information about our vacancies please take a look at our website www.plaxis.com/jobs

Plaxis bv P.O. Box 572 www.plaxis.com Plaxis AsiaPac Pte Ltd 16 Jalan Kilang Timor Plaxis Americas Office 2500 Wilcrest Drive
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