GROUP MEMEBERS:

1.AMANUEL LEMMA ..... ETS 0111/11

2. Natnael Deriba………..ETS 0830/11
3. Nigus Gezu……………ETS 0859/11
4. Abel samuel……………ETS 0033/10
5. Mikiyas Daniel………….ETS 0750/11
6. Natnael A/Kadir…………ETS 0730/10
7. Eyob Abegaz…………....ETS 0394/11
INTRODUCTION
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a numerical method used to solve
complex problems in geotechnical engineering.
• FEM need for solving Complex Elasticity and Structural Analysis
problems and created on 1941.
• mesh, elements,nodes & boundary conditions are the basic
componentes of FEM.
• elements:- simple sub domains of the main collection domine
• mesh:- collection of those sub domains or element.
• nodes:- point which elements are connected to each other
• Discretization:- process of generating nodes, elements, mesh and
boundary conditions.
Application of FEM
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a powerful engineering
analysis tool that engineers can use to simulate, predict,
and optimize their designs. (FEM) breaks down the
complex geometries of an object into simpler elements
such as beams, plates, or shells.
• Another application of FEM is stress & displacement
simulation, solve complex problems in geotechnical
engineering for example such as analysis of soil
behavior, stability analyses,design optimization,
slope stabilization among others.
Application based on mining engineering
• Application based on mining engineering scope:
To analyze : discontinuous rock mass behaviour, and
ground water table changes in underground mines, ground
movement due to excavation ,seismic events,etc...
Softwares

ANSYS
ADSimPlus
MSC Marc
LS-DYNA
They use for specifying boundary conditions ,
meshing , inputting material properties along with
several other pre&post processing
Factors
• Factors that affect the result of FEM are:
 mesh size/discretization level employed;
 number & type of boundary condition specified;
 constitutive model selected
 inadequate modeling techniques or assumptions
 soil type, slope angle, water content among others...
ADVANTAGES OF FEM
• its application is wide. it included on different fields like
Biomedical, Thermal and Fluid flows, Automotive
industries, design of aircrafts, biomechanical etc...
• it can handle many any type of loading conditions such as
heat flux, pressure, thermal load, gravity simulation etc,
• increased accuracy, enhanced design, a faster and less
expensive design process, higher quality products,
increased revenue and reduced chance of field failure.
Disadvantages of FEM
• successful application of FEM depends on the
formulations, appropriate parameters and proper
interpretation of the results.
Geotechnical analysis & FEM with mining engineering aspects

• Mining engineering aspects include

 modelling rock mass fragmentation
 calculating tunnel support pressures,
 studies of rock mass and intact rock response to
mechanical and thermal loads,
 slope stability analyses for open-pit mines or underground
tunnels,
 performance evaluation of ground supports in
excavations,
Geotechnical analysis
• There are a number of geotechnical analyses that can be
done using the Finite Element Method (FEM) with a focus
on mining engineering.
• such as :-
assess ground subsidence,
evaluate rock mass strength properties such as elasticity
and rigidity
modeling surface topography and regional geology over
any given area.
FE analysis & design process
• Any outputs provided to other designers must be clearly
explained to avoid misunder-standings and delays or
errors in the ongoing design process.
• It is common for FE models to be revisited long after they
were completed due to delays, changes in design or
issues encountered during construction.
• The geometry of the FE model needs to be as simple as
possible but without compromising too much on accuracy.
cont`d
• Geotechnical modelling generally requires the introduction
of plasticity, non-linear elasticity, frictional contact, large
displacements or creep, or a combination of them. Each
of these introduces non-linearities to an FE analysis
which require more complex solution methods.
• Ensuring that equilibrium is satisfified before moving on to
the next iteration or load step to prevent the any
upcoming problems.
cont`d
• Therefore, it is important to exercise caution and
engineering judgement when interpreting outputs from
non-linear FE analyses.
• maximum equilibrium error should be less than 1%
preferably
• Enough detail is required in order to obtain reasonably
accurate key outputs, but not excessive detail such that
the task becomes unnecessarily time-consuming and
expensive.
Conclusion
• Using a finite element program to analyze many
geotechnical problems in a few hours from start to finish
is now possible for experienced users.
• The use of finite element analysis in day-to- day
geotechnical practice will increase considerably over the
next few years.
• A strong understanding of effective stress principles and
of soil behavior is essential to anyone doing finite element
analysis of geo-technical problems for design.
THANK YOU!