Bentley PLAXIS 3D | Geotechnical Analysis Software

Seequent is the subsurface software company within Bentley Systems. Together, we’re helping build a more resilient future by connecting the built world above ground with the hidden world below it. It’s easy to purchase a Virtuoso Subscription, through Virtuosity, Bentley’s eStore, and still get the expert technical support from Seequent’s subsurface experts.

Model and analyze geo-engineering projects with finite element analysis in 3D

PLAXIS is a user-friendly, finite element package with trusted computation that is used by geotechnical engineers globally. PLAXIS 3D offers CAD-like drawing capabilities to help with the analysis of subsurface environments for geoengineering projects. From excavations, embankments, foundations, tunneling, and mining, to reservoir geomechanics, users can determine the deformation and stability of geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics to assess the geotechnical risk.

Because every firm has different needs, there are multiple variations of PLAXIS 3D:

• PLAXIS 3D: PLAXIS 3D includes the most essential functionality to perform everyday deformation and safety analysis for soil and rock. This comprehensive software for the design and analysis of soil, rocks, and associated structures makes it easy to model in 3D.
• PLAXIS 3D Advanced: PLAXIS 3D Advanced includes everything that is included in PLAXIS 3D, plus enhances your geotechnical design capabilities with more advanced features and material models. You can consider creep or flow-deformation coupling through consolidation analysis. Additionally, you can solve your problems faster than PLAXIS 3D, by leveraging the multicore solver.
• PLAXIS 3D Ultimate: Extend the capabilities of PLAXIS 3D Advanced, to analyze the effects of vibrations in the soil, like earthquakes and moving traffic loads. You can also simulate complex hydrological conditions through time-dependent variations of water levels or flow functions on model boundaries, as well as soil boundaries.
• Geotechnical Analysis 3D WorkSuite: The Geotechnical Analysis 3D WorkSuite includes PLAXIS 3D Ultimate and GeoStudio 3D Advanced, making it the most comprehensive 3D option.

Processor

Required: Dual Core CPU
Recommended: Quad Core CPU

Operating System

Windows 10, Windows 11

Memory

Recommended: minimum 8 GB
Large projects may require more

Disk Space

Minimum 2 GB free space on the partition where the WindowsTEMP directory resides, and 2 GB free space on the partition where projects are saved. Large projects may require significantly more space on both partitions.

For best performance, ensure that the TEMP directory and the project directory reside on the same partition.

Display

Graphics Card
Required: GPU with 256 MB OpenGL 3.3
Bentley strongly recommends avoiding simple onboard graphics chips in favor of a discrete GPU from the nVidia GeForce or Quadro range with at least 128-bit bus and 1 GB of RAM, or equivalent solution from ATI/AMD.

Video
Required: 1024 x 768 pixels 32-bit color palette, Recommended: 1920 x 1080 pixels 32-bit color palette