1. The role of numerical modeling in geotechnical design

1.1 A growing role

Numerical modelling of geotechnical structures, in particular using finite element or finite difference methods, has become increasingly popular over the last fifteen years as computing power and computer memory capacities have grown steadily.

Three-dimensional calculations involving several hundred thousand nodes have become commonplace. These calculations provide access to the field of displacements, deformations and stresses both in the ground and in various structural elements. Coupled or uncoupled calculations incorporating the effects of temperature or pore pressures can also be performed.

Finally, numerical calculations can provide information on the level of safety, particularly with procedures for reducing shear...