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PLAXIS 3D Shallow Foundation Course: From Theory to Practice
Rating: 4.3 out of 5(72 ratings)
434 students

PLAXIS 3D Shallow Foundation Course: From Theory to Practice

Shallow Foundation Analysis Using PLAXIS 3D: A Practical Guide
Created byNichirvan Taher
Last updated 6/2026
English

What you'll learn

  • Design & Analyze Foundations – Model and evaluate square, circular, strip, and combined footings under various loads using PLAXIS 3D for geotechnical analysis.
  • Calculate Bearing Capacity – Assess ultimate and allowable bearing capacity on sand, clay, layered soil, and rock, considering water table and foundation depth.
  • Simulate Complex Problems – Analyze underground cavities, trenches, dewatering, and buried structures to understand their effects on foundation performance.
  • Enhance Modeling Accuracy – Optimize mesh size, use symmetrical quarter models, and compare Mohr-Coulomb vs. Hardening Soil models for better foundation analysi

Course content

2 sections • 39 lectures • 11h 59m total length

  • Introduction to Plaxis 3D16:19

    In this foundational lesson, Plaxis 3D, a powerful finite element software widely used in geotechnical engineering, will be introduced. An understanding of the software’s interface, workflow, and the types of geotechnical problems it can solve will be gained. Additionally, various constitutive models will be covered, with their applications and impact on analysis results explained. Whether you are a beginner or refreshing your skills, the groundwork for more advanced topics will be set, equipping you with the knowledge needed to effectively address real-world geotechnical challenges.

  • Introduction to Shallow Foundation7:39
  • Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Square Footing Using Plaxis 3D38:38

    Estimate the ultimate bearing capacity of a 1 m by 1 m square footing on cohesive soil using Plaxis 3D Connect Edition, comparing medium and fine mesh results.

  • Optimizing Mesh Size for Shallow Foundation in Plaxis 3D20:17

    Assess mesh size effects on shallow foundation results in Plaxis 3D. Compare coarse to fine meshes with near-footing refinement and extract ultimate and allowable bearing capacity from load settlement curves.

  • Exploring Shear Failure in Footings Laboratory Experiments vs Plaxis 3D11:55

    Examine shear failure of footing by comparing laboratory experiments with Plaxis 3D simulations, highlighting how refined mesh near the footing reproduces upward soil bulges and general shear failure.

  • Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Full- Scale Square Footing Using Plaxis 3D32:39
  • Effect of Water Table on Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Foundation12:01
  • Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundation on Loose Sand Using Plaxis 3D21:05

    Assess the bearing capacity of a shallow foundation on loose sand using Plaxis 3D, modeling a 0.5 by 0.5 m footing under a 120 kilonewton per square meter load.

  • Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundation on Medium Dense Sand Using Plaxis 3D15:58
  • Estimation Factor of Safety (FS) of Foundation Using Plaxis 3D19:23
  • Understanding Soil-Structure Interaction & Interface Modeling in Plaxis 3D23:27

    Explore soil-structure interaction in Plaxis 3D, modeling interfaces between soil and foundations or piles to capture contact, adhesion, and sliding under various loads.

  • Effect of Foundation Depth (Df) on Ultimate Bearing Capacity Using Plaxis 3D15:30

    Explore how increasing foundation depth (Df) affects ultimate bearing capacity using Plaxis 3D, comparing on-surface footing to one-meter deep excavation, and noting higher capacity and lower settlement with depth.

  • Optimizing Analysis Time Symmetrical Quarter Model in Plaxis 3D18:02
  • Estimation of Allowable Bearing Capacity of Foundation Based on Settlement13:49
  • Estimation of Allowable Bearing Capacity of Circular Footing Using Plaxis 3D9:56

    Simulate a reinforced concrete circular footing in PLAXIS 3D with defined soil and foundation parameters to estimate bearing capacity from the load–displacement curve, yielding about 308 kilonewtons per square meter.

  • Allowable Bearing Capacity of Circular Footing Using Plaxis 2D Axisymmetric15:08
  • Simulation of Circular Footing Using Volume Element Modeling with PLAXIS 3D13:58

    Model a circular footing with volume elements in PLAXIS 3D shallow foundation and compare to a plate model, noting volume elements do not display shear, axial force, or moment diagrams.

  • Modeling a Square Footing with Column Neck Using Volume Elements in PLAXIS 3D21:57

    Model a 2x2 meter square footing with a column neck using volume elements. Apply a 2500 kN point load to the column and assess the foundation behavior and settlement.

  • Modelling Combined Footing by Plate Element Using PLAXIS 3D17:58

    Model a combined footing by plate element in PLAXIS 3D, revealing soil–foundation interface behavior, loads (2000 and 3000 kN), and resultant moments, shear forces, and axial forces for rebar design.

  • Modelling Combined Footing by Volume Element Using PLAXIS 3D19:18
  • Simulation of Isolated footing under eccentric Load Using PLAXIS 3D15:36
  • Simulation of Isolated footing under Vertical Load and moment Using PLAXIS 3D7:45
  • Simulation of Isolated footing under Inclined Load Using PLAXIS 3D8:13
  • Simulation of Isolated Footing Under Combined Loadings Using PLAXIS 3D9:48
  • Numerical Simulation of Dewatering with Excavation Using PLAXIS 3D33:30

    Explore numerical dewatering with excavation using PLAXIS 3D for a shallow foundation case, comparing borehole water level and dewatered conditions to assess load settlement.

  • Elasto Plastic Analysis of Drained Footing Using PLAXIS 3D11:52

    Shows elastoplastic analysis of a drained clay footing in PLAXIS 3D, including a 1 m by 1 m foundation, mesh refinement, and load–settlement results with zero excess pore water pressure.

  • Elasto Plastic Analysis of Undrained Footing Using PLAXIS 3D10:41

    Explore the elastoplastic analysis of undrained footing with PLAXIS 3D, examining pore water pressure effects on effective stress and comparing ultimate bearing capacity and settlement to drained cases.

  • Foundation Analysis using different Soil constitutive models MH vs. HS19:42

    Compare Mohr-Coulomb and hardening soil models in foundation analysis under axial load, highlighting elasticity differences and settlement for a 1.5 m by 1.5 m footing with 450 kN/m^2 load.

  • Precision in Soil Analysis Comparing Mohr-Coulomb and Hardening Soil Models8:49

    Compare Mohr-Coulomb and hardening soil models, noting constant elasticity versus stress-dependent stiffness. The hardening model, with three moduli, is more accurate but requires more parameters and tests.

  • Simulation of Strip Footing Under Vertical Load Using PLAXIS 3D16:10
  • Simulation and Modelling of Sloped Footing Using PLAXIS 3D24:22
  • Bearing Capacity of Foundation on Two Layered Soil Using PLAXIS 3D21:51
  • Bearing Capacity of layered Soil Strong Soil underlain by Weak Soil In PLAXIS 3D18:41
  • Bearing Capacity of layered Soil Weak Soil underlain by Strong Soil In PLAXIS 3D15:35
  • Continuous Foundation on Weak Clay with a granular trench Using PLAXIS 3D33:33

    Examine a continuous strip foundation on weak clay with a granular trench using PLAXIS 3D, comparing settlements with and without the trench and noting reduction.

  • Bearing Capacity of Footing on Rock Using Hoek-Brown Constitutive model28:08
  • Investigating the Effect of Cavity on bearing capacity of Footing In PLAXIS 3D25:21

    examine how a circular cavity beneath a two-by-two-meter shallow foundation affects bearing capacity in PLAXIS 3D, modeling stiff clay and prescribed displacement.

  • Impact of Underground Concrete Pipe on Footing Behavior Using PLAXIS 3D14:06

    Explore how an underground concrete pipe affects the bearing capacity of an isolated footing with PLAXIS 3D, using a 1 m diameter, 0.05 m thick plate, comparing with cavity scenario.

Requirements

  • A basic understanding of soil mechanics and foundation engineering is helpful but not mandatory. Access to PLAXIS 3D is recommended for hands-on practice, though theoretical concepts can still be learned without it. Civil or geotechnical engineering students and professionals will benefit most, but motivated beginners can also follow along. A computer with Windows OS capable of running PLAXIS 3D smoothly is ideal for practical modeling and analysis exercises.

Description

By the end of this section, students will have the ability to design and analyze shallow foundations using PLAXIS 3D under various loading conditions, including vertical, eccentric, inclined, and combined loads. They will learn to calculate the ultimate bearing capacity of square, circular, strip, and combined footings on different soil types such as sand, clay, layered soil, and rock. Additionally, students will explore the influence of key factors like water table fluctuations, foundation depth, and soil-structure interaction on foundation performance.

This section also focuses on optimizing numerical simulations by using symmetrical quarter models, reducing mesh size, and improving analysis efficiency. Students will gain hands-on experience in simulating shallow foundation behavior under elastic, elasto-plastic, drained, and undrained conditions while comparing the accuracy of different soil constitutive models like Mohr-Coulomb and Hardening Soil. Advanced geotechnical challenges, including granular trenches, cavities, dewatering, and underground structures, will also be addressed.

By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications, this section equips students with essential numerical modeling techniques for real-world geotechnical problem-solving. They will develop expertise in evaluating settlement and factor of safety under varying soil conditions and loading scenarios, ensuring precise and reliable foundation design. This knowledge enhances decision-making skills and prepares students to tackle complex geotechnical challenges with confidence.

Who this course is for:

  • This course is ideal for geotechnical and civil engineers looking to enhance their foundation design skills using PLAXIS 3D, as well as engineering students and researchers interested in applying numerical modeling techniques for shallow foundation analysis. It is also valuable for construction and infrastructure professionals involved in foundation projects who want to understand soil-structure interaction. Additionally, beginners in PLAXIS 3D will benefit from step-by-step guidance to learn foundation analysis from scratch.

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