Short Courses
Advanced slope stability analysis with SlopeX and FLAC3D
Workshop Outline
- Introduction
- SlopeX Background
- Pre-Processing Module I – Geometry Preparation
- Tutorial 1 – Geometry Preparation
- Pre-Processing Module II – Input Parameters
- Pre-Processing Module III – Model Setup and Octree Meshing Tips
- Processing – Standards Checks, Monitoring Model Run and Debugging
- Tutorial 2 – Open Pit Example
- Understanding Various Components of SlopeX/FLAC3D Model and Key Model Outputs
- Post-Processing Module I – Interpretation of Results for Open Pit Applications
- Post-Processing Module II – Post-processing of results in 3rd party software
- Course Wrap-up-Review, Upcoming Features, Q&A
Presenter
Abouzar Vakili
Abouzar is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer and numerical modelling specialist with over 15 years of experience in operations, geotechnical analysis, design and research. His expertise is primarily in applying advanced analytical techniques for geotechnical engineering and design. He has worked on studies involving large open pits and deep, high stress underground mines. He has authored more than 25 technical papers and articles and he is an AusIMM Chartered Professional and Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland.
Short Courses
Piles in Stability of Slopes
- Introduction to Slide2, Slide3, RSPile
- Increasing the factor of safety for slope stability with piles
- Effect of slope displacement on the pile forces
- Pile properties to be used in slope stability analysis
- Integration of RSPile into Slide2 and Slide3, Example
- Controlling failures modes to be accounted in design and during construction.
- Case study, Slope Stabilization with Deep Foundation Elements
Presenters
Sina Javankhoshdel
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused in Civil Engineering-Geotechnical Engineering from Queen’s University in Canada and a MSc degree in Civil Engineering-Structural Engineering from University of Tehran. Joined Rocscience in 2016 and added Spatial variability option to Slide2 software. The 3D Expert Modeller at Rocscience since 2018. one of the Rocscience’s instructors for workshops, webinars, short courses and customized courses, and a presenter at conferences. Product Manager of Slide3 software since January 2022, Slide3 is Rocscience’s 3D Limit Equilibrium software.
Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero
- D., P.E. Geotechnical Project Manager/Laboratory Manager AGES Inc.;
- Experience in Geotechnical Engineering, specializing in the design of deep/shallow foundations, earth retaining structures and landslide stabilization;
- Authored 100+ technical papers and presentations published in scientific journals, geotechnical magazines, and conference proceeding worldwide. Co-author (and implementation instructor) of the State of Delaware LRFD Bridge Design Manual;
- Former Chair of the Pittsburgh ASCE Geo-Institute, and former Director of the ASCE Pittsburgh Section.
- Member of the DFI Anchored Earth Retention Committee, and Conference Chair for DFI-45 2020 and DFI-47 National Harbor MD 2022;
- Distinguished Awards: 2021 ASCE Lifetime Achievement, 2020 ASCE Civil Engineer of the Year – Pittsburgh Section, 2016 ASCE Geo-Institute Distinguished Reviewer, 2006 ASCE Geo-Institute Best Paper on Numerical Modelling.
Short Courses
2D and 3D Modeling of Rock Fracturing Processes in Geomechanics
This hands-on short course covers:
- Numerical modeling of complex, non-linear, coupled rock engineering problems
- Simulation of rock fracture and fragmentation in 2D and 3D
- Coupled THM effects
- Rock support
- Fundamental principles of the state-of-the-art Irazu finite-discrete element software
- Hands-on Irazu tutorials Get a free full-featured demo version of Geomechanica’s flagship Irazu software!
Course Description
The finite-discrete element method (FDEM) is a numerical approach that combines continuum mechanics principles with discrete element algorithms to simulate multiple interacting deformable
and fracturing bodies.
With its ability to qualitatively and quantitatively reproduce failure processes in brittle materials, FDEM is gaining increasing acceptance in civil, mining, and petroleum engigneering applications, where fracture and fragmentation processes are key to fully understanding the rock mass behaviour.
Geomechanica’s Irazu software is a GPU-accelerated, thermo-hydromechanically coupled, FDEM-based modelling package capable of simulating the interaction between new fractures and pre-existing rock mass discontinuities in 2 and 3 dimensions.
This one-day course will combine theoretical lectures on the fundamental principles of FDEM with practical modeling sessions where participants will be guided through several simulation cases.
The course will start with a general introduction to the FDEM modelling philosophy and
its application to engineering geology, rock mechanics, and geophysics problems. After a quick review of the basic algorithms, such as finite element deformation, contact detection, and contact interaction, the fracture model will be discussed in more depth. More advanced features of Irazu, including: in-situ stress initialization, rock excavation, and Discrete Fracture Networks (DFNs), thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling, and rock support will also be introduced.
In the second part of the course, participants will gain valuable hands-on experience through a series of practical modelling exercises using Geomechanica’s Irazu software to model practical rock fracturing problems.
Course Objectives
By attending this short course, participants will learn the basic concepts and algorithms embedded into FDEM and how to work with it.
Attendees will leave the course with a basic understanding on fracture development around an underground excavation of the FDEM simulation approach, its strengths, limitations, and how it can be applied to model complex engineering problems, such as underground excavations in discontinuous rock masses and hydraulic fracturing in unconventional plays.
Participants will learn how to build FDEM models in Geomechanica’s Irazu software, including the assignment of correct input parameters, and post processing of the results.
Target Audience
This one-day course is specifically designed for geotechnical, geological, mining and petroleum engineers, as well as undergraduate and post-graduate students and researchers.
In particular, anyone who wishes to use or is considering using FDEM to tackle challenging rock mechanics problems would benefit from this course.
Provided Materials
The short course organizer will provide each participant with: (i) electronic copies of the course slides, (ii) electronic copies of the Irazu software manual and tutorials, and (iii) a free, full-featured demo version of the Irazu software.
Company Profile and Instructors
Geomechanica Inc. is an engineering company that develops simulation software and provides simulation-aided, technical consulting and laboratory testing services for rock engineering applications in the civil, mining, petroleum, and nuclear waste disposal industries.
Our mission is to solve challenging rock mechanics problems via the adoption of state-of-the-art, physically-sound computer simulation methods (Irazu).
Geomechanica strives to provide innovative solutions to 2D and 3D Modeling of Rock Fracturing Processes in complex design and analysis problems with its interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians.
Presenters
Bryan Tatone
Bryan is the laboratory testing lead and a co-founder of Geomechanica.
In addition to laboratory testing, his technical interests include numerical simulation of a variety of rock mechanics and rock engineering problems. He is the recipient of the 2017 Rocha Medal of the ISRM. He holds a PhD degree in Civil Engineering (rock
mechanics) from the University of Toronto, Canada.
Omid Mahabadi
Omid is president and CEO of Geomechanica. Omid’s areas of expertise range from numerical and experimental rock mechanics to the development anduse of hybrid continuum-discontinuum numerical methods to investigate failure processes in rocks.
Andrea Lisjak
Andrea is the numerical modelling lead and a co-founder of Geomechanica.
His area of expertise lies in the development and use of finite-discrete element numerical methods to investigate failure processes in rocks. He is the recipient of the
2015 Rocha Medal of the ISRM. He holds a PhD degree in Civil Engineering (rock
mechanics) from the University of Toronto, Canada.