FLAC3D Theory and Background • Theoretical Background

FLAC3D Theory and Background

This section contains background information and descriptions of the theoretical basis for the basic components of FLAC3D. It is composed of five major sections, described as follows.

The theoretical formulation for FLAC3D is described in the first section, Theoretical Background. This includes an overview of the explicit finite difference method and the numerical implementation in FLAC3D.

The next section, Interfaces, describes the FLAC3D interface logic. It includes several example applications. Interfaces represent planes on which sliding and separation can occur.

A Factor of Safety calculation, based upon the “strength reduction method,” is described in the third section. Several example applications of this calculation for stability analyses are also presented in this section.

The fourth section provides a description of Constitutive Models in FLAC3D. The basic models in the program range from linearly elastic models to highly nonlinear plastic models. All are introduced here.

The last section describes the implementation of Fluid-Mechanical Interaction in FLAC3D models, with illustrative examples.

• Theoretical Background
  • Formulation of a 3D Explicit Finite Difference Model
  • Grid Discretization
  • Numerical Implementation
  • References
• Interfaces
  • General Comments
  • Formulation
  • Creation of Interface Geometry
  • Choice of Material Properties
  • Modeling Guidelines
  • References
• Factor of Safety
  • Introduction
  • Factor of Safety
  • Computational Methods for Factor of Safety Calculation of Slopes
  • Strength Reduction Procedure in FLAC3D
  • Example Factor of Safety Calculations using the Strength Reduction Method
  • References
• Constitutive Models
  • Constitutive Models in FLAC3D
  • Incremental Formulation
  • Null Model Group
  • Elastic Model Group
  • Plastic Model Group
  • Model Tests and Examples
  • References
• Fluid-Mechanical Interaction
  • FLAC3D Fluid-Thermal-Mechanical-Formulation — Mathematical Description
  • Numerical Formulation
  • Calculation Modes for Fluid-Mechanical Interaction
  • Properties and Units for Fluid-Flow Analysis
  • Fluid-Flow Boundary Conditions, Initial Conditions, Sources and Sinks
  • Solving Flow-Only and Coupled-Flow Problems
  • Verification Examples
  • Verification of Concepts, and Modeling Techniques for Specific Applications
  • Input Instructions for Fluid-Flow Analysis
  • References