Practical Large-Deformation Finite-Element Method for 3D Geotechnical Problems Involving Free Surface Deformations

Abstract

The remeshing and interpolation technique with small-strain (RITSS) finite-element method has been widely adopted to address a broad range of two-dimensional (2D) large deformation geotechnical problems. However, its three-dimensional (3D) applications remain extremely limited due to the requirement of user-defined coding and the challenges in accurate tracking of free surfaces. This paper introduces a recently developed 3D RITSS method to tackle geotechnical problems that involve free surface deformations with only minimal programming effort required. Both the automated mesh regeneration and the Lagrangian finite-element increments are realized using available commercial packages. The entire simulation can be controlled and executed with a single piece of Python script. The reliability of the proposed method was verified by three validation examples. A further application example modeling the reinstallation of a circular footing near an existing footprint is also presented to demonstrate the advantage of the proposed method in coping with dramatic seabed surface deformations and hence illustrates its potential application to 3D geotechnical problems.