FLAC3D Modeling • Introduction

Guide to the FLAC3D Help File

this page needs a major rethink

This FLAC3D Version 6.0 Help contains the complete documentation for the program. It replaces the printed FLAC3D Manual. It contains a number of advantages to the printed manual set that are worth noting.

• The Help file is accessible instantly and directly from the program (use the Help ‣ Help menu command).
• It is integrated with the commands and FISH functions via the Inline Help utility; access to reference documentation is nearly instantaneous and fully targeted.
• It contains a built-in Search tab that allows for documentation-set-spanning searches for material.
• Each page may be scanned for content using the Find dialog (use Ctrl + F to access).
• Material in the documentation can be easily copied and pasted if needed.
• It provides a single source for all program documentation.
• It contains a feedback mechanism to allow users to provide comments on the material presented (see the link for “Was this topic helpful?” at the bottom of every page).

The organization of this Help file along with brief summaries of the contents of each section follows.

FLAC3D Modeling

This section is a user’s guide. It is designed to introduce the software and the major design ideas behind it, but briefly. Much of the information presented in the Introduction portion of this section is given a more exhaustive presentation in later sections as well. It gives a first look at commands, the user interface, and project management. It also offers discussions on modeling methodology and the recommended problem-solving procedure in FLAC3D. The Tutorials section that follows is the best place to begin getting hands-on experience with the program. The Problem Solving with FLAC3D section examines each of the major steps in the FLAC3D modeling process with detailed consideration.

FLAC3D

This section is the complete reference for all commands (except those that are part of program options) and FISH functions. The material here corresponds to the material formerly presented in the print volumes Command Reference and Structural Elements, and the FLAC3D-specific functions from FISH in FLAC3D.

FLAC3D Theory and Background

The theoretical formulation for FLAC3D is described in detail in this section. This includes both the description of the mathematical model that describes the mechanics of a system and the numerical implementation. Reference information on the interface logic and factor of safety calculations is included here. The material here closely corresponds to the content formerly presented in the print manual volumes Theory and Background, Fluid-Mechanical Interaction, and Constitutive Models.

FISH Scripting

A complete introduction and general reference information to FISH is provided here (note FLAC3D-specific FISH functions will be referenced in the FLAC3D section). All statements, variables, and functions built into FISH are referenced. A guide on how to compile and input custom FISH intrinsics is included. This section corresponds to the descriptive material formerly presented in the FISH Reference volume.

Examples Index

An extensive set of examples is provided here. The projects for all of them are included with the program and are accessible from the Help ‣ Examples… command. The material here closely corresponds to and expands on what was formerly presented in the print manual volumes Example Applications and Verification Problems.

Options

All material pertaining to the options (Thermal Analysis, Creep, Dynamic Analysis) or modular additions (Coupling with PFC) for FLAC3D are documented here.

User Support

We believe that the support Itasca provides to code users is a major reason for the popularity of our software. We encourage you to contact us when you have a modeling question. We will provide a timely response via telephone, email or fax. General assistance in the installation of FLAC3D on your computer, plus answers to questions concerning capabilities of the various features of the code, are provided free of charge. Technical assistance for specific user-defined problems can be purchased on an as-needed basis.

The first place to look for support is through the Technical Support Dialog built into the user interface, available in the program menu at “Help/Support…”

If that does not work for some reason, or if you wish to communicate via phone or email, please contact us.

Itasca Consulting Group | Mill Place

111 Third Avenue South, Suite 450

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 USA

Phone: (+1) 612-371-4711

Fax: (+1) 612-371-4717

Email: software@itascacg.com

Web: www.itascacg.com

We also have a worldwide network of code agents who provide local technical support. Details may be obtained from Itasca. Note that, in general, we prefer to provide support via email, and we will also generally forward your question to the software agent responsible for your region.