Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

INTRODUCTION
This exercise illustrates the basic idea of a finite element deformation analysis. In order to keep
the problem as simple as possible, only linear elastic behaviour is considered. Besides the
procedure to generate the finite element mesh, attention is paid to the input of boundary
conditions, material properties, the actual calculation and inspection of some output results.
Aims:
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Geometry input - Initial stresses and parameters - Calculation of vertical load

Calculation of horizontal load

A=100 kN
Concrete

B=100 kN

3,25
3,00

Clay E=5000 kN/m

0
0

Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

SCHEME OF OPERATIONS:
A) - GEOMETRY INPUT
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General settings

Input of geometry lines

Input of boundary conditions

Input of material properties

Mesh generation

B) ~ INITIAL CONDITION
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Generation of pore pressures - Initial geometry configuration - Generation of initial

stresses

C) - CALCULATIONS
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Construct footing (staged construction) - Apply vertical force - Apply horizontal force

D) - INSPECT OUTPUT

Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

GEOMETRY INPUT - Start program

Start PLAXIS by double-clicking the icon of the Input program.

A Create/open project dialog box will appear in which you can select an existing project
or create a new one.

Choose a New project and click on the < OK> button. Now the General settings window
appears, consisting of the two tab sheets Project and Dimensions (see Figs. on the next
page).

GEOMETRY INPUT - General settings

The first step in every analysis is to set the basic parameters of the finite element model. This is
done in the General settings window. These settings include the description of the problem, the
type of analysis, the basic type of elements, the basic units and the size of the drawing area. In
order to enter the proper settings for the footing project, follow these steps:
C
C

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In the Project tab sheet, enter " Exercise 1 " in the Title box and type "Elastic analyses of
drained footing" or any other text in the Comments box.
In the General box the type of the analysis (Model) and the basic element type
(Elements) are specified. As this exercise concerns a strip footing, choose Plane strain
from the Model combo box. Accept the default setting for 6-noded from the Elements
combo box.
The Acceleration box indicates a fixed gravity angle of -90', which is in the vertical
direction (downward). In addition to the normal gravity, independent acceleration
components may be entered for pseudo-dynamic analyses. Leave these values zero and
click on the < Next > button below the tab sheets or click on the Dimensions tab sheet.
In the Dimensions tabsheet, keep the default units in the Units box (Unit of Length m;
Unit of Force = kN; Unit of Time = day).
In the Geometry dimensions box the size of the considered geometry must be entered.
The values entered here determine the size of the drawing area in the Input window.
PLAXIS will automatically add a small margin so that the geometry will fit well within
the drawing area. Enter 0.0, 8.0, 0.0 and 3.25 in the Left, Right, Bottom and Top edit
boxes respectively.
The Grid box contains values to set the grid spacing. The grid provides a matrix of
dots on the screen that can be used as reference points. It may also be used for snapping
to regular points during the creation of the geometry. The distance of the dots is
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Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

determined by the Spacing value. The spacing of snapping points can further be divided
into smaller intervals by the Number of intervals value. Enter 1.0 for the spacing and 4
for the intervals.
Click on the < OK > button to confirm the settings. Now the drawing area appears in
which the geometry model can be drawn.

Project tab sheet of the General settings window

Dimensions tab sheet of the General settings window

Hint:
In the case of a mistake or for any other reason that the general settings should be
changed, you can access the General settings window by selecting the General settings
option from the File menu.

Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

GEOMETRY INPUT - Input of geometry
Once the general settings have been completed, the drawing area appears with an indication of
the origin and direction of the system of axes.
The cursor is automatically switched in the Geometry line mode. If not, the user can change the
mode to Geometry line by clicking the \ button
In order to construct the contour of the proposed geometry as shown in the next graph, follow
these steps (Use the next graph for orientation, it represents the completed geometry)
Create sub-soil:
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Position the cursor (now appearing as a pen) at the origin (point 0) of the axes. Click the
left mouse button once to start the geometry contour.
Move along the x-axis to (8.0; 0.0). Click the left mouse button to generate the second
point (number 1). At the same time the first geometry line is created from point 0 to point
1.
Move upward to point 2 and click again.
Move to the left to point 3 and click again.
Finally, move back to the origin (0.0; 0.0) and click the left mouse button again. Since the
latter point already exists, no new point is created, but only an additional geometry line is
created from point 3 to point 0. PLAXIS will also automatically detect a cluster (area
that is fully enclosed by geometry lines) and will give it a light colour.
Click the right mouse button to stop drawing.

This action created the sub-soil cluster. The next step is to introduce the footing:

(0,3)

(3,3.25)

(5,3.25)

(3,3)

(8,3)

(5,3)

(8,0)

(0,0)

Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

Create footing:
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Position the cursor at point 4,(3.0, 3.0) and click the left mouse button once.
Move along the y-axis to point 5, (3.0; 3.25). Click the left mouse button to generate a
vertical line.
Move along the x-axis to point 6, (5.0; 3.25). Click the left mouse button to generate a
horizontal line.
Generate a second cluster by closing the area on coordinate (5.0; 3.0).
Click the right mouse button to stop drawing.

This action created the footing.

Hints:
S

S
S

Mispositioned points and lines can be modified or deleted by first choosing the Selection
button from the toolbar. To move a point of line, select the point or the line and drag it to
the desired position. To delete a point or a line, select the point or the line and press the
< Delete > button on the keyboard.
Illegal drawing operations can be restored by pressing the Undo button from the toolbar
M-W' or by selecting the Undo option from the Edit menu or by pressing < Ctrl> < Z >
on the keyboard.
Lines can be drawn perfectly horizontal or vertical by pressing the < Shift> key on the
keyboard while moving the cursor.

The proposed geometry does not include beams, hinges, geotextiles, interfaces, anchors or
tunnels. Hence, you can skip the remaining buttons of the first button block in the toolbar.
Hint:
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The full geometry model has to be completed before a finite element mesh can be
generated. This means that boundary conditions and model parameters must be entered
and applied to the geometry model first.

Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

GEOMETRY INPUT - Input of boundary conditions
Boundary conditions can be found in the second block of the toolbar and in the Loads menu.
For deformation problems two types of boundary conditions exist: Prescribed displacements
and prescribed forces (loads). In principle, all boundaries must have one boundary condition in
each direction. That is to say, when no explicit boundary condition is given to a certain
boundary (a free boundary), the so-called 'natural condition' applies, which is a prescribed
force equal to zero and a free displacement.
In order to avoid the situation where the displacements of the geometry are 'undetermined',
some points of the geometry must have prescribed displacements. The simplest form of a
prescribed displacement is a fixation (zero displacement), but non-zero prescribed
displacements may also be given.
To create the boundary conditions for this exercise, follow these steps:
Prescribed displacements:
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Click on the Standard fixations button on the toolbar or choose the Standard fixations
option from the Loads menu to set the standard boundary conditions. As a result PLAXIS
will automatically generate a full fixation at the base of the geometry and roller
conditions at the vertical sides (ux=O; uy=free). A fixation in a certain direction is
presented as two parallel lines perpendicular to the fixed direction. Hence, the rollers
appear as two vertical parallel lines and the full fixation appears as crosshatched lines.

Vertical load:
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Click on the Point forces load system A button on the toolbar or choose the Point forces
load system A option from the Loads menu to enter a point force. Click on the coordinate
4.0, 3.25 to enter a point force. As a result PLAXIS will automatically generate a vertical
point force on the indicated point with a unity force (f = 1).

Horizontal load:
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Click on the Point forces load system B button on the toolbar or choose the Point forces
load system B option from the Loads menu to enter a point force. Click on the coordinate
4.0, 3.25 to enter a point force. As a result PLAXIS will automatically generate a vertical
point force on the indicated point. As a horizontal force is needed, the direction of load B
needs to be changed.
Choose the Selection button from the toolbar.
Double click on the geometry point (8) with coordinate 4.0, 3.25 which will display a box
as indicated in the next graph. Select Load (System B) and enter 1.0 as x-value and 0.0 as
y-value. These values are the input load of point force B.

Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

Hint: The standard fixations option is suitable for most

geotechnical applications. It is a fast and convenient way to
put standard boundary conditions.
GEOMETRY INPUT - Input of material properties
In order to simulate the behaviour of the soil, a proper soil model and corresponding
parameters must be appointed the geometry. In PLAXIS, soil properties are collected in
material data sets and the various data sets are stored in a material database. From the database,
a data set can be appointed to one or more clusters. For structures (like walls, plates, anchors,
geotextiles, etc.) the system is similar, but obviously different types of structures have different
parameters and thus different types of data sets. PLAXIS distinguishes between material data
sets for Soil & Interfaces, Beams, Anchors and Geotextiles.
The creation of material data sets is generally done after the input of boundary conditions.
Before the mesh is generated, all material data sets should have been defined and all clusters
and structures must have their appropriate data set
Parameter

Name

Clay

Concrete

Unit

Material model

Model

Linear elastic

Linear elastic

Type

Drained

Non-porous

Dry soil weight

dry

16

24

KN/m3

Wet soil weight

wet

18

--

KN/m3

Permeability in horizontal direction

kx

--

m/day

Permeability in vertical direction

ky

--

m/day

Youngs modulus (constant)

Eref

5000

1.35E6

KN/m2

0.35

0.35

Type of material behaviour

Poissons ratio

The input of material data sets can be selected by means of the Material Sets button on the
toolbar or from the options available in the Materials menu.
To create a material set for the clay layer, follow these steps:
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Select the Material Sets button on the toolbar .

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Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

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Click on the <New> button at the lower side of the Material Sets window. A new dialog
box will appear with three tab sheets: General, Parameters and Inter aces (see graphs
below).
In the Material Set box of the General tab sheet, write "Clay" in the Identification box.
Select Linear elastic from the Material model combo box and Drained from the Material
type combo box (default parameters).
Enter the proper values in the Weight box and the Permeability box according to the
material properties listed in the previous table

General tab sheet of the soil and interface data set window
Click on the < Next > button or click on the Parameters tab sheet to proceed with the
input of model parameters. The parameters appearing on the Parameters tab sheet depend
on the selected material model (in this case the Linear elastic model).
Enter the model parameters of table 3.1 in the corresponding edit boxes of the Parameters
tab sheet.
Since the geometry model does not include interfaces, the third tab sheet can be skipped.
Click on the < OK > button to confirm the input of the current material data set. Now the
created data set will appear in the tree view of the Material Sets window.
Drag the data set "Clay" from the Material Sets window (select it and keep the left mouse
button down while moving) to the soil cluster in the drawing area and drop it there
(release the left mouse button). Notice that the cursor changes shape to indicate whether
or not it is possible to drop the data set. When a data set is properly assigned to a cluster,
the cluster gets the corresponding colour.

Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

Parameters tab sheet of the soil and interface data set window
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For the concrete of the footing repeat the above procedure, but enter the properties for
concrete as shown in previous table, listing the properties for clay and concrete.
Click on the < OK > or < Cancel > button in the Material Sets window to close the
database.

Hint:
PLAXIS distinguishes between a project database and a global database of material sets.
Data sets may be exchanged from one project to another using the global database. The
data sets of all lessons in this Tutorial Manual are stored in the global database during the
installation of the program. In order to copy such an existing data set, click on the <
Global > > > > button of the Material Sets window. Drag the appropriate data set (in this
case "Clay") from the tree view of the global database to the project database and drop it
there. Now the global data set is available for the current project. Similarly, data sets
created in the project database may be dragged and dropped in the global database.
Hints:
Existing data sets may be changed by opening the material sets window, selecting the
data set to be changed from the tree view and clicking on the < Edit > button.
As an alternative, the material sets window can be opened by double clicking a cluster
and clicking on the < Change > button behind the Material set box in the properties
window. A data set can now be appointed to the corresponding cluster by selecting it
from the project database tree view and clicking on the < Apply > button.
The program performs a consistency check on the material parameters and will give a
warning message in the case of a detected inconsistency in the data.

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Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

GEOMETRY INPUT Mesh generation
When the geometry model is complete, the finite element model (mesh) can be generated.
PLAXIS allows for a fully automatic mesh generation procedure, in which the geometry is
automatically divided into elements of the basic element type and compatible structural
elements, if applicable. The mesh generation takes full account of the position of points and
lines in the geometry model, so that the exact position of layers, loads and structures is
reflected by the finite element mesh. The generation process is based on a robust triangulation
principle that searches for optimized triangles, which results in an unstructured mesh. This may
look disorderly, but the numerical performance of such a mesh is usually better than for regular
(structured) meshes. In addition to the mesh generation itself, a transformation of input data
(properties, boundary conditions, material sets, etc.) from the geometry model (points, lines
and clusters) to the finite element mesh (elements, nodes and stress points) is made.
In order to generate the mesh, follow these steps:
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Click on the Generate mesh button in the toolbar or select the Generate option from the
Mesh menu. After the generation of the mesh a new window is opened (Output window)
in which the generated mesh is presented.
Click on the < Update > button to return to the geometry input mode.

If necessary, the mesh can be optimized by performing global or local refinements. Mesh
refinements are considered in some of the other exercises. Here it is suggested to accept the
current finite element mesh.

Generated mesh

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Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

Hints:
By default, the Global coarseness of the mesh is set to Coarse, which is adequate as a first
approach in most cases. The Global coarseness setting can be changed in the Mesh
menu. In addition, there are options available to refine the mesh globally or locally.
>
At this stage of input it is still possible to modify parts of the geometry or to add
geometry objects. In that case, obviously, the finite element mesh has to be regenerated.
INITIAL CONDITION
Once the mesh has been generated, the finite element model is complete, but before starting the
calculations the initial conditions must be generated. In general, the initial conditions comprise
the initial groundwater conditions, the initial geometry configuration and the initial effective
stress state. The clay layer in the current footing project is fully saturated with water, so
groundwater conditions must be specified. On the other hand, the situation requires the
generation of initial effective stresses. As we want to include the footing construction in the
simulation process, the footing should not be present in the initial situation (prior to
construction). In Plaxis it is possible to switch off clusters in order to calculate correct initial
effective stresses. The initial stresses in this example case are generated using the Ko
procedure.
The initial conditions are entered in separate modes of the Input program. In order to generate
the initial conditions properly, follow these steps:
INITIAL CONDITION - Generation of pore pressures
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Click on the < Initial conditions > button ~OW on the toolbar or select the Initial
conditions option from the Initial menu.
First a small window appears showing the default value of the unit weight of water,
which is 10 (kN/m 3). Click <OK> to accept the default value, after which the
groundwater conditions mode appears. Note that the toolbar and the background of the
geometry has changed compared to the geometry input mode. The cursor is set
automatically in the drawing mode.
Position the cursor (appearing as a pen) at coordinate (0.0, 3.0) and click the left mouse
button to start the phreatic line.
Move along the x-axis to position (8.0; 3.0). Click the left mouse button to enter the
second point of the phreatic line.
Click the right mouse button to stop drawing.
Click on the Generate water pressures button (with blue crosses), which will result in a
pore pressure distribution as shown on the next page.

The pore pressures are generated from the specified phreatic line and the water weight.
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Click on the Update button, to return to the input program.

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Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

INITIAL CONDITION Initial geometry configuration

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After the generation of Pore pressures, proceed to the geometry configuration mode by
clicking on the 'switch' (< =Initial pore pressures - Initial stresses and geometry
configuration= > ) in the toolbar. The program is now in the Geometry configuration
mode.
Click on the cluster which represents the strip footing, in order to switch off the footing.

INITIAL CONDITION Generation of initial stresses

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Click on the Generate initial stresses button (red crosses) in the toolbar or select the
Initial stresses option from the Generate menu. The Ko-procedure dialog box appears.
Keep the total multiplier for soil weight, EMweight, equal to 1.0. This means that the full
weight of the soil is applied for the generation of initial stresses. Enter Ko= 0.7 for the
cluster which represents the clay in the geometry and click on the < OK > button.

Hint:
The Ko-procedure may only be used for horizontally layered geometries with a horizontal
ground surface and, if applicable, a horizontal phreatic line. See also lecture On the use of
Plaxis, (Initial stresses) L9 for more information on the Ko-procedure.
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After the generation of the initial stresses the Output window is opened in which the
effective stresses are presented as principal stresses. The length of the lines indicates the
relative magnitude of the principal stresses and the orientation of the lines indicates the
principal directions. Click on the button UPDATE configuration to return to the geometry
mode of the Input program.
With the generation of the initial stresses, the finite element model is complete and a
calculation can be defined. On clicking the button CALCULATE the user is asked to
save the data on the hard disk. Click on the < Yes > button. The Windows 95 file
manager now appears. Enter an appropriate file name and click on the < Save > button.

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Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

CALCULATIONS
After the finite element model is created, the calculation phases need to be defined. This
analysis consists of three phases. In the first phase the footing is constructed, during the second
phase the vertical load is applied and in the third and final phase the horizontal load is applied.
IMPORTANT:
In the calculation program several calculation types can be selected. However, during the first
exercises the default calculation type: Plastic calculation, Load advancement Ultimate level is
used.
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By default Plaxis displays the General tab sheet of the first calculation phase, as below:

First calculation phase (construction of footing)

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select the second tab sheet called parameters. On this sheet select Staged Constructions
from the Loading input combo box. After the selection Staged construction, click the
Define button. This will start a window presenting the problem in Geometry
configuration mode.
Click on the cluster which represents the strip footing, in order to switch on the footing.
Click on the Update button to conclude the definition of the first calculation phase.
Updating will automatically present the calculation window.
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Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

Second calculation phase (vertical load):
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Click on the Next button. This will present the tab sheets for the second calculation
stage.
Select the second tab sheet called Parameters. On this sheet accept the selection Total
multipliers in the Loading input combo box. Click on the Define button. This presents the
third tab sheet on which load multipliers can be entered. Enter a value of 100 for EMloadA.

Third calculation phase (horizontal load):

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Click on the Next button This will present the tab sheets for the third calculation stage.
Select the second tab sheet called Parameters. On this sheet accept the selection Load
multipliers in the Loading input combo box. Click on the Define button. This presents the
third tab sheet on which load multipliers can be entered. Enter a value of 100 for EMloadB.

Hint:
In Plaxis total load multipliers may be used to activate an input load. The magnitude of
the activated load is the input load multiplied by the total load multiplier. Hence in this
exercise:
MloadA x input load of point load A = Active load A
100
x
1 kN/m
= 100 kN/m
START CALCULATIONS:
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After definition of the last calculation phase, the calculation process is started by clicking
the Calculation button This will result in a message as presented below.

As no load-displacement curves will be generated for this exercise, press No to continue.

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Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

INSPECT OUTPUT
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After each successful execution of a calculation phase Plaxis will indicate the phase with
a check mark. This indicates a successful calculation phase. If during execution an error
would occur, Plaxis marks the stage with a red cross X.

Press the Output button which will start the output program, showing the deformed mesh
for the final situation as presented below.

This finalize the first exercise.

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Exercise 1: Elastic analysis of drained footing

Suggestion for extra exercises
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Undrained behaviour of the clay.

When saturated soils are loaded rapidly, the soil body will behave in an undrained
manner, i.e. excess pore pressures are being generated. In this exercise the special Plaxis
feature for the treatment of undrained soils is demonstrated. In general, in Plaxis, one
enters effective soil properties and this is retained in an undrained analysis, by using the
switch 'undrained' behaviour. Please note that this is a special Plaxis option as most other
FE-codes require the input of undrained parameters e.g. Eu and <u,
For this exercise change the material propertie for clay to undrained in the General tab
sheet of the soil and interface dat set window (module INPUT)

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