Meshing Tips, Seismic Tutorials, and a 40-year Celebration for FLAC (February 2026 Issue)

February 2026 marks a major milestone: 40 years of FLAC. Since 1986, FLAC has set the standard for geomechanical simulation, evolving from an era of 64 kB memory limits to the multi-threaded powerhouse it is today.

We’re looking back at that legacy while providing a roadmap for the future of modeling. From our anniversary webinar and new seismic tutorials to an exclusive upgrade offer for FLAC 8 users, we have the resources you need to build faster, more reliable models.

This Issue At a Glance

• Celebrate 40 Years of FLAC: Join our anniversary webinar on February 19 to see the evolution from “Classic” to the multi-threaded FLAC2D v9.
• Final Call for FLAC 8 Support: Official support ends May 8, 2026. Upgrade by April 30 to lock in a 35% discount.
• New Technical Resources: Master advanced seismic and seepage analysis with our latest 2D and 3D embankment dam tutorials.
• ITASCA on the Road: Meet the team at MINEXCHANGE and Geo-Congress in Salt Lake City this spring.
• From the Blog: Discover how machine learning is optimizing blast simulations and how automated meshing is cutting model-build times.

ITASCA Software Webinars

40 Years of FLAC: From Classic to FLAC2D v9

Join us on February 19 at 10 AM CT to celebrate four decades of innovation. We’ll show how the modern FLAC2D framework handles complex soil and rock mechanics significantly faster without losing the numerical reliability you’ve trusted for years. Register and submit your questions.

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Showcase Your Best: The 40th Anniversary Model Contest

In honor of FLAC’s 40th anniversary, we want to see your best FLAC work. Enter our contest to showcase your most impressive simulation models and compete for bragging rights within the global geomechanics community. We will officially recognize the first, second, and third-place winners with featured showcase posts on our ITASCA Software LinkedIn page. It’s a great opportunity to get your projects in front of industry peers and celebrate four decades of modeling excellence. Enter your models today!

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Join the Experts: Live Interactive Q&A

Have a tough modeling problem or a complex post-processing task? Join ITASCA Software Manager Jim Hazzard and Technology Lead Zhao Cheng, PhD, PE on Thursday, February 12 for a live session where you take the lead.

This live webinar is dedicated entirely to your questions—from specific feature deep-dives to troubleshooting your unique project challenges. To get the most out of the session, submit your questions when you register; our experts will review your scenarios in advance to provide tailored solutions and live demonstrations. Register & Submit Your Questions

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Webinar Replay: What’s New in ITASCA Software v9.6

Catch the highlights of our latest release, including automatic remeshing in FLAC2D and a first look at MPoint (Beta), our new material point method software designed for simulating extreme material flow. Watch the Replay

Upgrade Opportunity

FLAC 8 Support Ends May 8, 2026

Technical support for FLAC 8 is entering its final months. Because the legacy software hasn’t received bug fixes or security patches since 2023, upgrading to FLAC2D v9 is the only way to secure your workflow and eliminate bottlenecks like manual i, j space meshing.

Exclusive Offer: Save 35% on your first year when you upgrade by April 30, 2026. Use code FLACNOW for a discount on FLAC2D, maintenance, and academic subscriptions. Upgrade online or contact our sales team to get this offer. Note: Please contact sales directly for all academic orders.

ITASCA Software YouTube Channel

Check out our YouTube channel to access a comprehensive library of the latest software tutorials, courses, webinar recordings, and simulation demos designed to help you master advanced geomechanical and hydrogeological modeling.

New Tutorials!

Advanced Seismic Analysis: Master the full modeling sequence for zoned embankment dams, from geostatic stress to post-liquefaction deformation.

• FLAC2D 9.4 Tutorial: Advanced 2D Seismic Analysis Sequence of a Zoned Embankment Dam
• FLAC3D 9.4 Tutorial: Advanced Seismic Analysis Sequence of a Zoned Embankment Dam

Stress & Seepage Modeling: Learn to handle complex geometries and calculate effective stresses for real-world scenarios

• FLAC3D 9.4 Tutorial: Embankment Dam with Rock Abutments
• FLAC2D 9.4 Tutorial: Total & Effective Stress Analysis

Subscribe to the ITASCA Software YouTube channel to watch and access our full library of tutorials, courses, and simulation demos.

Conferences & Events

Want to talk strategy in person? You can find the ITASCA Software team at these upcoming events in early 2026.

• MINEXCHANGE 2026 (SME Annual Conference & Expo): Join us February 22–25, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’ll be at the annual gathering of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (booth #712 – Exhibit Halls A-E & 1) to discuss how our latest modeling and simulation tools can make your mining projects smarter and safer. Learn more.
• Geo-Congress 2026: We’re headed back to Salt Lake City from March 9–12, 2026. Stop by our booth (booth #111) to see how our numerical modeling tools are tackling critical challenges in earthquake engineering, tailings management, and landslide analysis. Learn more.

ITASCA Software Beta Program

Gain early access to our latest innovations by joining the ITASCA Software Beta Program. This is a unique opportunity for both long-time users and new teams to test-drive upcoming features and help refine the tools you use for geotechnical analysis.

As a beta participant, you’ll be able to:

• Test New Features Early: Get hands-on with cutting-edge tools before they are released to the general market.
• Shape the Software: Provide direct feedback that influences the direction of future updates.
• Get Recognized: Receive official acknowledgement for your contributions to our development cycle.
• Access Exclusive Benefits: Enjoy priority technical support and special discounts for your organization.

➡️ Request to Join the Beta Program!

ITASCA Software Academic Program

Are you looking to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application? Our academic programs do just that by offering researchers and students tailored access to ITASCA software. Whether you’re advancing technical skills or managing grant-funded research, these licenses provide full functionality and complimentary training to support your goals. We’re proud to foster the next generation of engineers and invite you to see how our academic partnerships can power your next project.

How to get involved:

• Research Licenses: Gain full access to all software modules and flexible licensing terms for institutional research.
• Teaching Licenses: Perfect for classroom instruction, providing one instructor seat and multiple student seats along with ready-to-use curriculum packages.
• Student Licenses: Affordable, single-seat options that give individual learners full functionality and continuous software updates.

➡️Explore ITASCA Academics

ITASCA Software Blog

Our blog is your go-to for practical tips from real-world projects, product updates, and expert modeling advice. Whether you are building reliable numerical models or using ITASCA tools in production, bookmark the blog to stay current on new methods and examples.

Featured Articles:

• Blast Movement Simulation Using Modeling and Machine Learning: Learn how ITASCA is using a hybrid approach by combining FLAC3D, PFC3D, and machine learning to speed up blast simulations and more accurately predict muckpile formation.
• Achieve Fast, Automated Meshing for Large-Scale Mine Models: IMAT’s new automated octree meshing eliminates the need for manual geometry cleanup, allowing you to build complex, mine-scale models in a fraction of the time.

➡️ Visit the ITASCA Blog