Small-strain mechanics (gridpoints remain fixed)

Large-strain mechanics (gridpoints move with displacement)

Effective stress (pore pressure)

Automatic factor of safety

Back-analyze failure and calibrate forward-prediction

Multiple, simultaneous failure mechanisms

Zone relaxation for gradual excavation and construction sequencing

Groundwater flow

Material flow

Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM)

Bonded Block Modeling (BBM) for fragmentation and fracturing

Service limit state (SLS) and ultimate limit states (ULS) based on displacements

User-Defined Contact Models (UDC)

Surface subsidence

Recovery and dilution

Coupled ground-structure interaction (beams, cables, piles, shells, geotextiles, liners)

Options available: Dynamics (earthquakes, blasting, vibration), Thermal, User-Defined Constitutive Models (UDM), IMASS Damage Model

3DEC models use a combination of interactive tools and commands. 3DEC simplifies modeling with interactive features such as CAD file compatibility, built-in mesh generation, intuitive boundary skinning, and automatic stress initialization. For advanced meshing, use Griddle and Rhino 3D CAD to build and precisely mesh complex models as a 3DEC grid. Easily define groups in the model pane and assign constitutive models and material properties using the built-in database.

3DEC utilizes multi-threading and optimized solutions for fast, responsive, and accurate simulations. Multi-threaded FISH and Python libraries provide extremely efficient model scripting when user customization is chosen. Users may also run two instances of 3DEC on the same computer simultaneously, cutting down on overall time to solution for multiple models.

3DEC offers robust hybrid (DEM + continuum) simulation capabilities to model blocks of discontinuous material (jointed rock or masonry bricks). Blocks may be rigid or deformable (zoned) and may slide, rotate, move apart, or come together. Uniquely model groundwater flow within joints and through the ground between them. Couple mechanical, hydro, and thermal solutions. Dynamic analysis to simulate earthquakes and structural elements for ground support are available. Statistical joint set and DFN generation tools are built in. Advanced plotting tools, FISH scripting, and Python integration provide unparalleled model control and customization, while statistical tools and data import options expand modeling possibilities.

In conjunction with interactive tools, 3DEC uses commands to provide a compact representation of the model (as a data file) for repeatability, to ensure path dependency (excavation sequence and any other sequence of events, such as boundary conditions or material properties), and for flexibility. Intuitively structured commands, built-in contextual help, and command auto-completion help users learn and work with commands. Most user interface interactions are automatically translated into commands, so you can see how they are composed and reuse them. The built-in text editor makes creating and running models with commands efficient.

Seriously faster. Solve steady-state models up to 10x faster and run dynamic models 3x faster. Model saving, restoration, and plotting are now 3-5x faster.

Improved joint logic is based on contacts rather than blocks, and cutting no longer unjoins previous joints.

New look and feel with streamlined UI, improved information box, inline help at your fingertips, and better plotting.

Even more highspeed dynamics (10-200x faster) using the new Maxwell dynamic damping logic.

3DEC 9 zoned models can be coupled to FLAC3D 9 models.

Nonlinear structural elements for advanced ground support analysis for beams and shells.

Three new constitutive models: Concrete, Columnar-Basalt, and Von-Mises.

Python has been updated to 3.10.5, allowing you to more easily add your own packages. FISH scripting includes multithreaded FISH splitting and operators for even faster modeling.

Also added: Updated documentation and examples, log-normal distribution for DFN fracture generation, and Timoshenko beams to account for transverse shear deformation.

Improved BBM (Bonded Block Model)