Boundaries Overview

The first step in creating a Phase2 model (after setting the Project Settings) is to create the boundaries defining the model.

• Boundaries are added using the Add options in the Boundaries menu or the toolbar (e.g. Add Excavation , Add External , Add Material , Add Stage etc).

• Boundaries can be imported from a DXF file using the Import DXF option.

• Boundaries can easily be edited using the extensive editing capabilities of Phase2.

The different boundary types defined in Phase2 are:

Excavation

Closed polylines representing excavations. In the case of staged excavations, an Excavation boundary usually represents the final stage (or maximum extent) of an excavation, intermediate boundaries within the excavation being represented by Stage or Material boundaries (see below).

External

Closed polyline, defining the extents of the finite element mesh, and encompassing all other boundaries.

• An External boundary is required for every Phase2 model.

• Only one External boundary can be defined for a model.

Material

Open (or closed) polylines, used to define boundaries between different material types.

Stage

Open (or closed) polylines, used to define boundaries between different stages of excavation.

Joint

Open polyline, representing a joint or other discontinuity in the rock mass. Unlike Material or Stage boundaries, a Joint boundary has associated properties (stiffness and strength).

Structural Interface

Open polyline, representing a support element such as piles or geotextiles, which have a sliding interface (joint) on BOTH sides of the support element. Structural Interfaces have associated properties (joint and support properties).

Piezometric Line

A polyline representing a water table or Piezometric surface, used to calculate pore pressures for an effective stress analysis. Only applicable if the Groundwater Method = Piezometric Lines.