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The Role of Advanced Constitutive Models in Geotechnical Engineering
Author(s) -
Schweiger Helmut F.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geomechanik und tunnelbau
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.317
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 1865-7389
pISSN - 1865-7362
DOI - 10.1002/geot.200800033
Subject(s) - constitutive equation , nonlinear system , boundary value problem , computer science , hardening (computing) , engineering , geotechnical engineering , structural engineering , mathematics , finite element method , physics , materials science , layer (electronics) , mathematical analysis , quantum mechanics , composite material
Numerical calculations have a long tradition in tunnelling but in recent years numerical methods have become a standard tool for analysing a wide variety of geotechnical problems. This has become feasible because advanced constitutive models are available in commercial software packages and sufficient computer power for performing 3D nonlinear analysis is readily available. In this paper a short history of the development of constitutive models for soils will be given, starting from (non)linear elasticity to strain hardening formulations. Emphasis is put on consequences the use of different models has on the results of boundary value problems rather than on the mathematical description. The significant advances made within the last decade will be obvious. It is pointed out that this overview is directed towards practical applications and does not include models which are predominantly used in research. The merits of using advanced models in practice are discussed.