Distinct-Element Modeling of Jointed and Blocky Materials in 3D
Choose 3DEC for cutting-edge 3D geotechnical analysis. Tailored for complex soil, rock, and structural simulations, including dynamic modeling and ground support. Unearth solutions today!
3DEC
What’s new in the latest release of 3DEC?
New Machine Learning Based Tools
The V9.2 machine learning toolset, powered by ITASCA’s groundbreaking research, revolutionizes geotechnical analysis! Developed using vast datasets and advanced algorithms, these tools rapidly identify patterns in complex conditions for highly accurate predictions. The first tool, the new Hoek-Brown rock slope model, instantly calculates the factor of safety, delivering precise results with customizable inputs in seconds!
New Constitutive Model: Curved Mohr-Coulomb
The traditional Mohr-Coulomb model oversimplifies failure, risking safety overestimation in low-stress zones like shallow slips. ITASCA’s new Curved Mohr-Coulomb model changes everything! It’s efficient, flexible, and features a nonlinear failure envelope with just three parameters or custom curves. Plus, it supports linear, bilinear, Hoek-Brown, and Griffith laws—ideal for automatic factor of safety calculations!
What is 3DEC?
3DEC is a cutting-edge numerical modeling software specifically designed for geotechnical analysis of discontinuous materials such as rock, masonry, and soil. Utilizing a hybrid simulation approach that combines distinct element modeling (DEM) and continuum mechanics, 3DEC enables the simulation of blocky, jointed materials that can deform, slide, rotate, or separate. 3DEC excels in capturing complex phenomena such as fragmentation, fracturing, and coupled mechanical-hydro-thermal processes. Whether simulating seismic activity, groundwater flow, or material behavior under stress, 3DEC offers unparalleled flexibility and precision, making it ideal for applications in mining, civil engineering, and research. The ability to couple zoned 3DEC models with FLAC3D, along with advanced options like dynamics, thermal modeling, and user-defined constitutive models, further enhances its versatility.
Why Choose 3DEC?
3DEC offers robust simulation capabilities and proven reliability for effectively tackling complex geotechnical challenges with precision and efficiency.
Powerful Computing Capabilities
Robust simulation capabilities coupled with advanced data integration tools offer unparalleled flexibility and customization for a wide range of geotechnical applications.
Ease of Use
Sophisticated features, including command auto-completion and efficient model construction tools, simplify the workflow, along with new Machine Learning based tools.
Advanced Analysis Options
Run two instances simultaneously and achieve simulations up to 5x faster than equivalent 3D models.
Fast and Responsive Simulations
Optimized solutions and multi-threading provide quick, accurate results, even for complex simulations.
Flexibility and Customization
Run two instances simultaneously and achieve simulations up to 5x faster than equivalent 3D models.
Comprehensive Support for Various Industries
Adaptable to diverse project needs and a wide range of applications, including civil engineering, mining, material processing, and energy engineering.
Dynamics
3DEC’s advanced dynamic analysis capabilities make it a premier choice for simulating seismic events and other dynamic loads on geotechnical structures.
Powerful Scripting
Empower your simulations with FISH and Python scripting, unlocking endless possibilities for model customization, advanced visualization, and innovative physics integration.
3DEC Industry Solutions
Explore 3DEC in action as it tackles diverse geotechnical challenges from different industries with precision. Discover how our solutions empower engineers to achieve efficient, reliable outcomes in real-world applications.
Cumulative total displacement contours after a new cutback has been excavated in an open point mine with exposed faults shown as white lines.
Mine pillar model showing joint traces to evaluate a ground support design. Rock blocks in the roof undergoing a total displacement of at least 4 cm are colored yellow.
Model an underground tunnel showing fragmentation (left); bolt displacements, axial forces, and block displacements (center); and maximum principal stress (right).
Modeling degradation of dual-purpose canisters storing nuclear waste using 3DEC.
Seismic event model to study fault reactivation of fractures near a generic deep nuclear repository with various region scales shown.
Thermal iso-contours along a nuclear waste emplacement drift.
Complex hydraulic fracturing showing pore pressures, fractures opening (apertures), fractures shearing, and simulated microseismicity.
Rock wedges around the cavern for a case shown in 3DEC.
Simulation results of hydraulic fracture and natural fracture pore pressure and rock failures from a shale stimulation.
Hydro dam powerhouse chamber excavated in jointed and faulted rock showing block displacements.
Simulation of a proposed geothermal site showing shear displacements along pre-existing fractures and synthetic (predicted) micro seismicity.
Simulation of pore pressures within the rock joints surrounding a hydroelectric power dam.
Simulation of one of the Chenab railway bridge abutments showing the model jointing and displacement contours. Rock foliation was considered using the ubiquitous material model.
Simulation of a light rail station showing exaggerated displacements in the roof.
Collapse mechanism for an ancient stone masonry tower subjected to seismic forces.
Bonded tetrahedral block model showing the extent of damage around an underground tunnel with Sigma 1 stresses plotted on blocks.
Spherical rock specimen of bonded voronoi blocks showing interior block details.
Virtual UCS lab test using a sample composed of bonded Voronoi blocks showing displacements (left, exaggerated 50x) and stress strain plot (right).
3DEC Add-on Options
Expand your 3DEC software capabilities with our range of add-on options, designed to tackle diverse engineering challenges effectively. Explore our selection of options to customize your 3DEC experience to meet your needs.
Dynamics
Enhance simulations with dynamic analysis for earthquake engineering, soil liquefication, and more. Includes robust boundary conditions and fast model run times.
- Customizable boundary conditions (acceleration, velocity, stress waves)
- Soil-structure interaction and thermal coupling
- Dynamics Wizard for preprocessing
- Maxwell damping for fast simulations
- Multiple dynamic and liquefaction models
$69 / month or $828/ year
Thermal
Simulate heat transfer with conduction and advection models. Ideal for geothermal and nuclear waste applications with variable boundary conditions.
- One-way coupling to mechanical stress and pore-pressure calculations
- Four thermal material models
- Efficient solvers for rapid model run times
- Hydration-Drucker-Prager model for dynamic material adjustments
$69 / month or $828/ year
IMASS
(ITASCA Model for Advanced Strain Softening)
IMASS is an advanced strain-softening model for mining applications, simulating rock mass behavior from intact to bulked conditions with precision and realism.
- Models the nonlinear, anisotropic behavior of rock masses
- Captures the degradation of rock mass strength and stiffness.
- Based on Hoek-Brown failure criterion
- Includes two-mode softening of yield surfaces
$800 / month or $9600/ year
UDM
Develop custom material models tailored to specific project needs using C++. Enhance simulation flexibility with downloadable templates.
- Modify existing or create new constitutive models
- Distribution via DLL files
- Access to ITASCA’s UDM Library
- Ideal for specialized material behaviors like liquefaction analysis
Free with any license
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