Materials Models
Selecting the most suitable material model together with inputting the required material parameters is one the most important but also one of the most difficult tasks when modeling structures using the finite element method.
The material model attempts to describe the soil (or rock) behavior as close to reality as possible. They can be divided into two basic groups:
Selecting a proper material model is essential for the prediction of a real soil response.
Most tasks require nonlienar models (e.g., modeling of sheeting structures with linear models yields totally wrong results). In some cases, however, using linear models may prove useful and adequate and may considerably simplify the analysis.
Dialog window "Add new soils" - selection of a material model