DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANCEMENT OF A GEOTECHNICAL SOFTWARE BASED ON THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

This paper examines the application of the Finite Element Method (FEM) for the numerical modeling of soil foundations, which has become the most widely used method in geotechnical engineering practice. The work emphasizes the importance of selecting the appropriate soil model in the context of weak soils, particularly in the central part of Saint Petersburg, where buildings sensitive to uneven deformations are frequently found. It investigates the effectiveness of existing nonlinear soil models, such as Modified CamClay, Soft Soil, and Hardening Soil, among others, as well as the necessity of adapting custom models for FEM applications. The study systematizes and expands upon previous research in this field, focusing on key aspects of finite element analysis, including the assembly of local stiffness matrices and the consideration of boundary conditions. Based on theoretical principles and developed algorithms, an “alpha” version of a computational program enabling efficient linear, transient, and nonlinear analyses using the Finite Element Method was introduced. The findings aim to enhance both education and practical applications in geotechnical design, contributing to the advancement of this area of scientific and engineering research.