ITASCA Software Insights Newsletter
Updates, insights, and ideas from the world of advanced geotechnical engineering software.
August 2026 Issue: Release of MPoint and v9.8, Upcoming Webinars, Training, and New Blogs and Case Studies
Welcome to the September edition of ITASCA Software Insights. This month, we’re excited to announce the official release of MPoint2D and MPoint3D, ITASCA’s Material Point Method software for modeling extreme deformation problems. You’ll also find highlights from Version 9.8, upcoming webinars, new blog articles and case studies, training opportunities, conference appearances, and resources for educators, students, and researchers.
This Issue At a Glance
- MPoint Release: September brings the official release of v9.8 and MPoint, the first commercial Material Point Method (MPM) software developed specifically for geotechnical engineers to undertake large deformation analysis.
- Version 9.8 Release: Explore major updates across the ITASCA software suite, including new MPoint capabilities, enhanced Python tools, modal analysis improvements, remeshing enhancements, and more.
- MINEDW and XSite Updates: Discover the new Sketch tool and IMAT/FLAC3D coupling capabilities in MINEDW, plus a redesigned interface and performance improvements in XSite.
- Save 15% with Perpetual Plus: For a limited time, get additional value with ITASCA’s new Perpetual Plus bundle.
- Supporting the Academic Community: Learn how the ITASCA Academic Program brings numerical modeling to educators, students, and researchers.
- Upcoming Webinars: Register for webinars showcasing updates across products in v9.8, and an introduction to MPoint.
- Webinar Replay Available: Missed our session on advanced open pit stability analysis? Watch the recording to learn how field monitoring data can be integrated in IMAT and FLAC3D for slope stability assessment.
- New Blog Articles: Read about the Material Point Method behind MPoint and IMAT’s multilingual interface.
- Training Opportunities: Expand your expertise with live training on Python in ITASCA Software, or take advantage of free on-demand training videos.
- Meet Us at Industry Events: Connect with ITASCA at Eurock 2026, AFTES, Slope Stability 2026, and Tailings and Mine Waste to discuss the latest advances in numerical modeling.
- Featured Case Studies: Read about how MPoint models extreme deformation, as well as barrier pillar design at LKAB’s Kiirunavaara Mine.
- Join the Community: Join in the ITASCA Software Beta Program, provide feedback through our user survey, and connect with engineers and researchers worldwide through the ITASCA Software Forum.
ITASCA Software Releases
New Release: Version 9.8
Version 9.8 introduces the official release of MPoint, ITASCA’s Material Point Method (MPM) software, adding capabilities such as fluid pore pressure generation, wall coupling, Rayleigh damping, Python support, and expanded 2D and 3D examples. Updates across the ITASCA Software suite include enhanced Python tools, a new Dynamic Damping Rapid Tool, Sketch workflow improvements, modal analysis in FLAC2D/FLAC3D, FLAC3D cut-plane export tools, remeshing enhancements, new examples, and the release of XSite v9.8.
Version 9.8 is available to users with an active v9 subscription or maintenance license for FLAC3D, FLAC2D, 3DEC, PFC3D, PFC2D, MassFlow, and XSite.
New Product Release: MPoint
ITASCA is thrilled to announce the official release of MPoint2D and MPoint3D, the first commercially available geotechnical software tool using the Material Point Method specifically designed for geotechnical engineers. Purpose-built to simulate large deformation in geotechnical engineering applications, MPoint is ideal for analyzing tailings dams, slopes, embankments, and foundations under extreme deformation. Couple with FLAC2D/FLAC3D for even more powerful modeling capability.
MINEDW
The latest release of MINEDW features a new Sketch tool for automatic meshing, and pore pressure results can be coupled with IMAT and FLAC3D.
XSite
Version 9.8 of XSite offers a new interface and performance improvements for advanced hydraulic fracturing simulation.
Software Savings
Save 15% with Perpetual Plus
Some organizations prefer the certainty of owning their software outright. If that sounds like you, we have exciting news.
We’re launching Perpetual Plus, a new bundle that combines a Perpetual License and Maintenance into one convenient package. For a limited time, customers who purchase Perpetual Plus will receive 15% off the entire bundle, making it one of the most attractive perpetual licensing offers we’ve introduced.
What’s Included?
- Permanent software ownership
- Access to updates and enhancements through the Maintenance Plan
- Technical support from our team
- Two licenses (one perpetual + one maintenance)
- 15% savings on the complete package
Whether you’re expanding your existing toolset or purchasing for the first time, Perpetual Plus provides outstanding long-term value while helping you maximize your software investment.
Take advantage of this special offer while it’s available. Contact your ITASCA Software Reseller or email us at sales@itascasoftware.com.
Academic Program
From classroom instruction and student projects to advanced research initiatives, the ITASCA Academic Program supports the academic community with software, resources, and opportunities that bridge the gap between engineering theory and real-world applications. Educators can bring industry-recognized modeling tools into their courses, students can build practical skills that prepare them for their careers, and researchers can advance understanding of complex engineering challenges with cutting-edge numerical modeling technology.
➡️ Learn more about the ITASCA Academic Program
➡️ Learn more about ITASCA’s Flexible Numerical Modeling Curriculum for educators
ITASCA Software Webinars
Upcoming Webinar: What’s New in ITASCA Software v9.8
September 29, 2026, 10:00 – 11:00 AM CDT and 8:00 – 9:00 PM CDT
Join the webinar to see all the latest updates across ITASCA Software products in version 9.8, including the official release of MPoint, ITASCA’s Material Point Method (MPM). We’ll provide an overview of MPoint along with a demonstration of all the latest updates across ITASCA Software products, including enhanced Python tools, a new Dynamic Damping Rapid Tool, Sketch workflow improvements, modal analysis in FLAC2D/FLAC3D, FLAC3D cut-plane export tools, remeshing enhancements, and the latest in XSite v9.8.
Upcoming Webinar: Modeling Large Deformation with MPoint
October 7, 2026, 7:00 – 8:00 AM CDT, 10:00 – 11:00 AM CDT, and 7:00 – 8:00 PM CDT
Be among the first to see the official release of MPoint v9.8, ITASCA’s new Material Point Method software designed for large deformation geotechnical analysis. Learn how MPoint allows for continuous simulation of extreme deformation processes, including landslides, tailings dam or earth dam failures, liquefaction, and material flow that can challenge conventional numerical approaches.
Webinar Replay: Missed it Live? Watch it On Demand
Master Advanced Open Pit Stability Workflows
In this recorded webinar, an ITASCA consultant demonstrates techniques to evaluate slope performance with IMAT and FLAC3D. Learn how to model geological structures in FLAC3D, combine prism, radar, and water pressure data in IMAT, and calibrate wedge movement through qualitative and quantitative approaches. Ends in live Q&A.
ITASCA Software Blog
🔹Redefining Geotechnical Failure Analysis: Introducing MPoint2D and MPoint3D
What happens after a geotechnical failure begins can be just as important as predicting when it occurs. In this blog, ITASCA introduces MPoint2D and MPoint3D and the Material Point Method (MPM). Learn more about MPM software and how it pushes simulation of large deformation, failure progression, and runout behavior beyond the limits of traditional mesh-based approaches.
➡️ Read the article to learn more about the benefits of MPoint and how it works.
🔹IMAT Now Available in Nine Languages
ITASCA’s Mining Analysis Toolbox (IMAT) now includes a multilingual user interface that supports nine languages. Designed for global teams, localization helps improve accessibility, simplifies the onboarding process, and makes mine-scale geomechanical modeling more intuitive by letting users work in their preferred language.
➡️ Read the article to learn how to access language settings in IMAT.
ITASCA Software Training
Increase your skillset with ITASCA Software by taking advantage of our live or on-demand training course offerings.
Python in ITASCA Software
This live online course provides an introduction to using the Python programming language in ITASCA Software to reach more advanced modeling capabilities. You’ll learn the basics of Python, how it connects to ITASCA Software, and how to apply Python in hands-on modeling examples in FLAC2D, FLAC3D, and 3DEC.
Date: November 17 – 18, 2026 (two half-days)
Time: 2:30 – 6:00pm CET (Paris) / 7:30 – 11:00am CT (Chicago)
Cost: €800 / $950
Free On-Demand Training Courses
Our free online training library gives you access to a growing collection of software training videos, available on demand 24/7. Develop new skills, discover best practices, and learn at a pace that works for you.
➡️ Explore free training resources
Custom Training
Looking for more personalized training? We’ll work with you to design a training program that supports your specific goals.
➡️ Learn about custom training
Conferences & Events
Connect with ITASCA in person at these upcoming events.
🔹Eurock | Skopje, North Macedonia | September 15–19
ITASCA staff are on site at Eurock 2026. Christian Cancino, Senior Geomechanics Engineer at ITASCA, will be presenting work using MPoint, “A Hybrid FLAC3D-MPM Approach for Post-Failure Slope Behavior”, at 11:30 on Sept. 17 in conference hall 3. Visit us at booth 414!
🔹AFTES | Lille, France | October 12–14
ITASCA will be at the 18th International Congress of the French Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, ready to discuss the latest challenges in excavation, tunnel design, and ground behavior of underground infrastructure projects and how numerical modeling plays a role in analysis of complex geotechnical scenarios.
🔹Slope Stability 2026 | Lima, Peru | October 26–29
We’re gearing up for this year’s symposium on Slope Stability with the theme of “Slope for Safety Performance,” with many papers and presentations from ITASCA consultants and staff from ITASCA Software available to discuss the cutting-edge numerical modeling tools like MPoint and IMAT, as well as industry standard tools like FLAC2D and FLAC3D.
🔹Tailings and Mine Waste | Westminster, Colorado | November 8–11
ITASCA Software is looking forward meeting you at Tailings and Mine Waste to discuss how modeling extreme deformation with MPoint can help address the most pressing challenges in Tailings Storage Facilities to increase safety and reduce risk.
Case Studies
🔹Modeling Geomechanical Behavior under Very Large Deformation with the Material Point Method
Want to learn more about how MPoint can model large deformation scenarios without requiring meshing? This case study demonstrates how the Material Point Method (MPM) enables continuous simulation of landslides, slope failures, tailings dam failures, and other extreme-deformation scenarios. The study validates MPoint against benchmark continuum solutions and shows how coupled FLAC3D-MPoint workflows can accurately capture failure progression while improving computational efficiency.
🔹Evaluation of Mining Sequences and Barrier Pillar Design at Kiirunavaara Mine
At Sweden’s Kiirunavaara Mine, ITASCA analyzed alternative mining sequences and barrier pillar performance to help guide future mine development. Discover how mine-scale FLAC3D and MassFlow simulations informed the preferred approach for reducing adverse rock mass behavior and managing critical infrastructure risks.
User Feedback Opportunities
ITASCA Software Beta Program
Want to test out upcoming features and innovations? Get early access to ITASCA’s most cutting-edge tools by joining our Software Beta Program, where you can play a role in refining the tools you use for geotechnical analysis by providing user feedback.
Help Shape ITASCA Software Version 10
As we look ahead to Version 10, we’d like your input. Tell us what features, enhancements, or workflow improvements would have the greatest impact on your projects and business. Your feedback helps our development team prioritize future innovations and ensure upcoming releases address real-world engineering challenges.
Join the ITASCA Software Forum
Join the ITASCA Software User Community
Have a modeling question or looking for practical tips? The ITASCA Software Forum is a place to connect with engineers, researchers, and software users from around the world. Exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from users working with FLAC2D, FLAC3D, 3DEC, PFC, and other ITASCA solutions.
➡️ Visit the Forum and join the discussion.
Keep the Insights Coming
If you want to stay updated on the latest news from ITASCA Software, subscribe to the newsletter on LinkedIn. Newsletters are published monthly and highlight new webinars, training sessions, case studies, and product updates.