Release notes PLAXIS 2D 2017
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Cross and parallel permeability in interfaces ........................................................................3
Multiply command for features and numeric properties (VIP)..............................................3
Non-linear geogrids: Elastoplastic (N-ε) or Viscoelastic (time-dependent) .........................4
Full 64-bit release with performance improvements.............................................................4
Python integration in Expert Menu (VIP) ...............................................................................4
New Embedded beam behavior type: Grout Body ................................................................4
Command line improvements ................................................................................................5
PLAXIS 2D to 3D Converter....................................................................................................5
Miscellaneous features ..........................................................................................................5
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1 Cross and parallel permeability in interfaces
In the interfaces tab of the material dataset under “Groundwater”, users can select
between permeable, impermeable and semi-permeable options to define the cross
permeability. A hydraulic resistance needs to be filled in which will be considered for
semi-permeable interfaces. For the parallel permeability users need to fill in a drainage
conductivity.
In staged construction mode, some settings with respect to interfaces have changed,
users now need to click the checkbox “Active in flow” in order to take into account the
defined cross and parallel permeability for calculations. Output facilities have been
extended with a new result type for interfaces. When double clicking on the interface(s)
users can inspect the flow normal to the interface as well as the flow parallel to the
interface, via Groundwater flow available under the Interface stresses.
2 Multiply command for features and numeric properties (VIP)
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 offers a
convenient way to explore alternate load conditions, thermal conditions, initial conditions
etc.
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3 Non-linear geogrids: Elastoplastic (N-ε) or Viscoelastic (time-dependent)
PLAXIS 2D 2017 introduces two new types of behavior for geogrids. Users can now
include elastoplastic, or viscoelastic behavior. For the elastoplastic behavior users can
define N-epsilon diagrams. For the viscoelastic behavior, creep can be taken into account
for geogrids.
4 Full 64-bit release with 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. For the user
defined soil models, this means that the 32-bit DLL’s can no longer be used and future
extension of these UDSM or new UDSM will be available in 64-bit only.
5 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. User 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 package a convenient library to use for advanced plotting
options with Python.
6 New Embedded beam behavior type: Grout Body
The embedded beam has a new behavior type called Grout Body. When connecting the
embedded beam to a node-to-node anchor in the embedded beam connection point, the
anchor will be automatically connected to the embedded beam connection point and not
to the corresponding point in the soil element. The connection type is intrinsically set to
Free (i.e free from the surrounding soil volume).
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7 Command line improvements
2D 2017 brings some improvements for the command line window. Users can now right
click in the command line window and choose the Pop-out option to detach the command
line window from the program. In addition some extra options to copy all successful
commands or responses are available.
8 PLAXIS 2D to 3D Converter
The PLAXIS 2D to 3D converter, compatible with PLAXIS 3D 2016 and 2D 2017, allows
users to convert their 2D geometry to 3D geometry. This is done through an extrusion,
with a user input of thickness into one of the three 3D planes. 2D soil clusters are
extruded as volumes, line as surfaces and points as lines. Material properties are
automatically assigned to the objects in the model. Structural elements like node-to-node
or fixed end anchors as well as (embedded) beams are created as once instance and
should be arrayed manually to give the user more flexibility in further configuring and
finishing the 3D model. Because the model will need to be finished by the user to make it
a fully appropriate 3D model, meshing and stage construction are not included in the
conversion. The converter will be released as a separate tool, after the official 2D 2017
release
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Miscellaneous features
Directly input the element dimension in the expert settings of the mesh menu
Time shown in Output plot title for calculations where a time component is defined
Soil layering based on Robertson interpretation for imported CPT borehole data(VIP)
The Hoek-brown model available in Design approaches (VIP)
Multiselect-on-click behavior for selecting overlapping objects of the same type
Grouped clusters based on material assignment in Output Model Explorer
Equivalent force arrow can be hidden from cross sections
Inverse analysis settings in SoilTest can be now be saved
PLAXIS 2D 2017 Viewer
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