INTRODUCTION
Ce workshop est pour la première fois organisé en France. Il est destiné principalement aux ingénieurs en mécanique des sols et des roches ayant une expérience avec PLAXIS 2D et qui désirent parfaire leurs connaissances en matière de modélisation numérique par la méthode des éléments finis dans le domaine dynamique.

La session comporte des cours et des séances d’applications. Les cours fournissent les bases théoriques et pratiques de la modélisation, tandis que les exercices traitent des problèmes courants du géotechnicien. Ce workshop porte une attention particulière à l’utilisation des calculs par éléments finis dans le domaine de l’ingénierie sismique.

CONTENU
Le sujet principal est l’utilisation de la méthode des éléments finis en 2D pour l’analyse en contraintes et déformations d’ouvrages sous chargements dynamiques et sismiques. Nous aborderons par exemple les questions suivantes : quelles sont les particularités du calcul en dynamique ? Comment obtenir les paramètres mécaniques d’entrée et interpréter les résultats de calculs ? etc.

COURS
Les cours rappellent quelques bases théoriques nécessaires à la modélisation numérique pour la dynamique des sols et introduisent aux exemples d’application.

Il est à noter que le support de formation fourni sera rédigé quasiment entièrement en anglais, mais que les intervenants s’exprimeront exclusivement en français.

The Conference is mainly concerning the technical performance of geotechnical systems. However topics related to economical performance and environmental performance of geotechnical systems are welcome.  

The Conference is organised by the ISSMGE Technical Committee of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Associated Problems (TC 203) and co-organised by the European Technical Committee ERTC-12 on the Application of Eurocode 8 and by The Italian Geotechnical Association

Chairman: Professor Michele Maugeri

This two days introductory training is intended for graduate engineers or practicing engineers who do not have prior experiences in using PLAXIS 2D and who are applying their computational knowledge especially in the geotechnical and civil engineering applications.
 
The PLAXIS Trainings focus on developing knowledge on the use of PLAXIS Software. This is considered the main topic and any technical lecture is just to support and illustrate the use of the software. This training also prepares the participants to attend the two levels of PLAXIS Courses, standard and advanced.

The first part of the course covers the basic functionality of PLAXIS 2D where the possibilities to model different soils and structural elements, anchors, geotextiles and tunnel lining shall be discussed.
 
The second part shall cover the use of the finite element method (FEM) for stress and deformation analyses and stability assessment.

The following topics are dealt with:
• the schematization of complex soil conditions
• obtaining the basic input data for both simple and advanced soil models
• modeling realistic projects with various construction stages
• interpreting the computational results

The goals and the scope of the conference

The main aim for all countries around the Baltic Sea and of the 12th Baltic Sea Geotechnical Conference is to provide a forum for an intensive transfer of ideas and experiences with other engineering and research groups. Significant contributions from industry are encouraged and hence the ultimate aim is to bring together state-of-the-art research in Geotechnics in maritime engineering with current industrial experiences.

The conference is not limited only to the countries of the Baltic Sea area and participants from other regions are also warmly welcomed.

The Baltic Sea area is a booming region with a lot of related problems with regards to infrastructure development. Sustainable development has to reflect on a balance of interest between industrial and touristic use and protection of nature. Additionally, consequences of climate change and sustainability strategies regarding the population’s need of protection and of future development are to be considered. 

Besides the well established courses in Computational Geotechnics that are organized around the world, Plaxis also offers trainings that will cover a particular program, module or subject. The current training will focus on the use of PLAXIS 3D.
 
The main goal of this workshop is to teach the use and basic concepts of PLAXIS 3D and to train the participants in using the software themselves. Furthermore the workshop will, to an extent, be touching upon the new functionality and improved workflow of PLAXIS 3D compared to 3D Tunnel and 3D Foundation.
 
For solving practical problems the latest version of the PLAXIS 3D computer program will be used. It is recommended, though not required, that participants already have experience with at least the PLAXIS 2D software.
 
ON THE USE OF PLAXIS 3D
 
During this day the basic functionality of PLAXIS 3D is discussed as well as the possibilities to model soil layers and structural objects such as; retaining walls, anchors, piles, geotextiles and tunnels. Partisipants will also get the oppertunity to learn about the import of CAD objects and the modelling of water conditions.

Furthermore, the participants will get acquainted with the proper use of PLAXIS 3D by doing hands-on exercises. During these exercises individual assistance will be provided by experienced Plaxis tutors.

Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos y en peral los Países de Latinoamérica actualmente se enfrentan con nuevos retos de diseño y construcción de obras civiles que beneficien a sus sociedades. Todas las superestructuras están desplantadas en materiales geológicos como son rocas, tobas o sedimentos.

Para el diseño es necesario conocer el comportamiento de estos materiales ante cargas; así como para las etapas de construcción geotécnica y estructural las características geomecánicas definen la estabilidad, además de poder saber si cumple con los estados límites de falla y servicio. El empleo del modelo constitutivo de Mohr-Coulomb ha sido ampliamente difundido y usados por décadas; con el tipo de obras actuales bajo condiciones de flujo saturado o parcialmente saturado, dinámicas y estáticas; los resultados obtenidos muchas veces no muestran el comportamiento real del medio de apoyo.

A partir del crecimiento y evolución de los modelos constitutivos como son el Hardening Soil, Hardening Soil Small Strain, Soft Soil, Cam Clay, Barcelona Basic Model, Hoek-Brown y Soft Soil Creep entre otros; las etapas de diseño y construcción geotécnica han resultado ser más efectivas y de alta confianza.

La División de Estudios de Postgrado de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro y Plaxis BV presentan el “Curso Internacional de Geotecnia Computacional Avanzada” a celebrarse del 11 al 14 de Junio de 2012 en Santiago de Querétaro.

Los tópicos que se presentan en el Curso tienen por objeto presentar teóricamente los nuevos y avanzados modelos constitutivos que describen el comportamiento del los suelos y rocas; así como su aplicación a casos prácticos como son las excavaciones, cimentaciones, grupos de pilas, túneles, estabilidad de cortes y laderas. Para alcanzar los objetivos, diariamente se realizan ejercicios a manos libres en ordenadores con los programas de última generación en dos y tres dimensiones, como son: Plaxis 2D 2011 y Plaxis 3D 2011.

Los instructores del Curso son reconocidos a nivel mundial por su desarrollo y práctica de la Ingeniería Geotécnica, creación de Nuevos Modelos Constitutivos aplicados.

This two days introductory training is intended for graduate engineers or practicing engineers who do not have prior experiences in using PLAXIS 2D and who are applying their computational knowledge especially in the geotechnical and civil engineering applications.

The PLAXIS Trainings focus on developing knowledge on the use of PLAXIS Software. This is considered the main topic and any technical lecture is just to support and illustrate the use of the software. This training also prepares the participants to attend the two levels of PLAXIS Courses, standard and advanced.

The 2nd European Conference on Unsaturated Soils will be held in Napoli, Italy from 20th - 22nd June 2012. The conference is intended to bring together researchers and practitioners involved in unsaturated soils in Europe.

The Conference will last three days and will focus on the following main themes:
1. Experimental soil behaviour, including laboratory and site advances in the experimental techniques for the analysis of the hydro-thermo-chemo-mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils; 
2. Theoretical, constitutive, numerical and physical modelling.
3. Engineering applications and case histories, including soil-environment interaction, soil-structure interaction in service conditions, monitoring on site and case histories.

This standard course in the UK has a long tradition in advanced geotechnical engineering. Each year it is well attended by participants from consulting and contracting companies, public work bodies and universities. As usual, the forthcoming course consists of a balanced mixture of lectures and hands-on computer analyses.

As in previous years the lectures focus mainly on soil behaviour and advanced methods in geotechnical engineering and less on the use of the Plaxis programs. Subjects are illustrated by practical case studies of for instance embankments and deep excavations. This way, the course offers an introduction to the modelling of geotechnical problems that are encountered in day-to-day engineering practice.New this year is the introductory day, scheduled on the Monday before the course. This day is intended for those who have little experience in using Plaxis and want to know the software better before the actual course starts.

The computer exercises are performed with the PLAXIS 2D code. As a consequence of the easy program operation, teaching and tutoring will focus on geotechnical aspects, which allows for the short course format of three days.

We are pleased to announce the Russian Plaxis Users Meeting 2012. During the meetings, users as well as developers will give presentations on the use of the Plaxis software in engineering and research projects. In addition to the presentations some extra time is scheduled for open discussion and general questions on Plaxis.

Besides the more official part of the meeting, you will have the opportunity to exchange experiences with other users. Another important aspect of these meetings is the interaction between users and developers, which is vital for current and future developments.

ANZ 2012 is the regional conference of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering and is held approximately every 4 years.  The first Australia New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics was held in Melbourne Australia in 1971. Forty-one years later, this event returns to Melbourne, to a city and a world that is experiencing significant change and challenge.  As in 1971, our profession has the potential to shape and influence the future and build a more sustainable world.

For 2012, our conference theme is “Ground Engineering in a Changing World”.  The world wide community is facing great change; a changing financial system, a changing climate, a changing legislative environment and changing community perceptions and awareness. There are a host of risks and opportunities associated with this change.  This conference seeks to explore and better understand those changes and the risks and opportunities they present to our profession; be they challenges and risks associated with the changing coastline morphology, changing weather patterns, different modes of living, new materials and constructions methods, new methods for generating power or new ways to recycle or manage waste.

Two of the key changes that we have seen in our professional world are the growing numbers of women and young practitioners in our field. We especially encourage contributions from these groups. There will be a prize awarded to the paper judged as best to be submitted by a young (under 35 years of age) professional.

ANZ 2012 will include the presentation of technical papers, keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, technical tours, exhibits, and social and networking opportunities for both participants and their partners.

We look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne, Australia in 2012.

Courses in Computational Geotechnics have been organized at NTNU by Plaxis bv and NTNU every second year since 1998. This year the course is on an advanced to intermediate level and aims primarily at users with some experience in Computational Geotechnics. One of the aims of this course is to teach the application of advanced soil models. Attention is focused on the Hardening Soil model and the small-strain stiffness extension of this model. Further, use of the Soft Soil and Soft Soil Creep model will be covered. Another aim of the course is to teach numerical analysis of various geotechnical problems, such as excavations, embankments, slopes and foundations. On solving practical problems PLAXIS software will be applied.

During this one-day event, users as well as developers will give presentations on the use of the Plaxis software in geo-engineering and research projects. In addition to the presentations, time is scheduled for questions, discussions, and the generating of ideas on new developments.

Alongside the more official part of the meeting, participants will have the opportunity to informally exchange experiences with other users. An important aspect of these meetings is the interaction between users and developers, which is vital for current and future Plaxis developments.