ITASCA Software has released version 9.6, featuring fully automatic remeshing in FLAC2D to address challenges in large-strain modeling. This advancement ensures simulation stability, reduces complexity, and accelerates workflows for engineers analyzing large, progressive deformations in civil and mining projects. As ground or structures deform during large displacements, excavation, or collapse, the mesh is automatically rebuilt in regions exceeding user-defined strain thresholds, with data like stresses and displacements transferred to maintain continuity. Jim Hazzard, ITASCA Software Manager, explained that remeshing solves a longstanding issue where traditional fixed grids become distorted, leading to simulation failure or accuracy loss. The new logic enables reliable modeling of complex phenomena involving massive strain, such as subsidence, open pit failures, or tunnel collapses. For mining engineers, this supports robust risk assessments and long-term performance evaluations in geomechanical environments, while civil engineers benefit from analyzing excessive deformations affecting construction safety and serviceability, including slope failures or tunnel instabilities.
Beyond automatic remeshing, version 9.6 includes enhancements to extend modeling realism and efficiency. Advanced material and structural modeling features a structural concrete constitutive model for realistic soil-structure interaction in elements like piles and beams, without high computational overhead. The Munson-Dawson Creep model, available for salt rock, accurately predicts creep stages essential for evaluating stability in evaporite mines, energy storage caverns, and nuclear waste repositories. A circular shell generation tool automates creating shell elements connected to piles, streamlining foundation system modeling. Hybrid solvers and large-strain solutions introduce MPoint coupling in beta, allowing FLAC3D and FLAC2D to integrate with ITASCA's Material Point Method solver for extreme deformation simulations. This hybrid approach balances performance by transitioning zones to material points in high-strain regions.
Updated Factor of Safety analysis logic permits restricting Shear Strength Reduction to specific regions, focusing on critical failure modes while reducing solve times. Automated workflows and precision pre-processing tools include automated domain generation, which reduces model setup time from hours to minutes by generating far-field zones with seamless gradation. Enhanced sketch tools with "hard nodes" ensure mesh nodes are generated at precise coordinates, and the Joint-set Wizard now accepts 3D dip inputs for accurate conversion. Imported fluid flow architecture in 3DEC supports fluid flow analysis through deformable grids from Griddle, enabling high-fidelity meshes for seepage and pore-pressure analysis. Engineers can learn more about these features by visiting itascasoftware.com or requesting a technical demo. These improvements collectively enhance modeling accuracy and efficiency, supporting engineers in designing safer and more sustainable infrastructure.
