A Method for Dividing the Soil Layers of a Slope in Finite Element Simulations

摘要

In the finite element simulations in geotechnical engineering, the partition and the meshing of the soil layers have been one of the most difficult tasks. This paper proposed a method, in which a prescribed field variable in ABAQUS was used to describe the soil layers of a slope and divide the soil indirectly. Instead of distinctly meshing the different soil layers, the elements in different soil layers were assigned different materials with regard to the prescribed field variable. Compared with the conventional meshing method in the partition of the soil layers, the proposed field variable method can simplify the meshing task. It makes the FE mesh more regular hence the simulations converge more easily. Therefore, the field variable method will have more advantages in assigning the soil materials to the model. The proposed method can be used in the practical engineering simulations and enhance the application of the finite element analyses.