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

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

Liquefaction

Settlement and consolidation

Surface subsidence

Recovery and dilution

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

Options available: Dynamics (Earthquakes, Blasting, Vibration), Thermal, Creep, User-Defined Constitutive Models (UDM), IMASS Damage Model

FLAC3D models use a combination of interactive tools and commands. FLAC3D 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 FLAC3D grid. Easily define groups in the model pane and assign constitutive models and material properties using the built-in database.

FLAC3D utilizes multi-threading and optimized solutions for fast, responsive, and accurate simulations. Maxwell damping for dynamic simulations and enhanced solvers for fluid flow and thermal simulations enable efficient solution times. Multi-threaded FISH and Python libraries provide extremely efficient model scripting when user customization is chosen. Users may also run two instances of FLAC3D on the same computer simultaneously, cutting down on overall time to solution for multiple models.

FLAC3D offers robust simulation capabilities, including large-strain simulation to visualize the full extent of model deformation, 26 built-in constitutive models for different ground behaviors, dynamics analysis to simulate earthquakes and liquefaction, and nonlinear deformable structures to design ground support. Advanced plotting tools, FISH scripting, and Python integration provide unparalleled model control and customization, while statistical tools and data import options expand modeling possibilities.

Enjoy flexibility in modeling and your workspace with FLAC3D’s highly adaptable tiled user interface that allows users to layout the program as preferred, work with hundreds of plots efficiently, as well as build, construct, and modify the modeling workflow as needed. Use FISH and/or Python scripting for model parameterization, custom visualizations, adding new physics, and/or model run control. Use one of the 26 built-in constitutive models for material behavior or develop a custom user-defined constitutive model (UDM). FLAC3D licenses allow for two instances to run on the same computer simultaneously. Licenses are also portable between computers using a USB key or web license. Web licenses can be managed centrally at an organization with seats assigned, added, or removed as needed.

In conjunction with interactive tools, FLAC3D 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 adds efficiency to creating and running models with commands.