Geomechanics Module

For users of the Geomechanics Module, COMSOL Multiphysics® version 5.5 brings a mean-stress-based tension cut-off criterion and three new tutorial models. Browse these geomechanics features and more below.

Mean Stress Tension Cut-Off Criterion

In the Mohr–Coulomb and Drucker–Prager models for soil plasticity, a mean-stress-based tension cut-off criterion has been added. This method for suppressing tensile stresses is more stable from a numerical point of view.

A cropped screenshot of the COMSOL Multiphysics UI showing the Settings window for Soil Plasticity with an open section of the same name.
Selecting a mean stress cut-off criterion for a Drucker–Prager soil plasticity model.

New Tutorial Models

Version 5.5 brings three new tutorial models.

Triaxial Test with Hardening Soil Material Model

A 1D plot of axial stress versus axial strain with compression shown as a blue solid line, extension as a green solid line, and failure stress as a magenta dashed line.
Axial stress vs. axial strain for a hardening soil under axial compression.

Application Library Title:
triaxial_test_hardening_soil

Download from the Application Gallery

Isotropic Compression Test for Structured Clays

A 1D plot of void ratio versus pressure with cement levels represented as follows: 5% blue solid line, 10% green solid line, 15% red solid line, and ICL teal dashed line.
Void ratio as a function of pressure for different levels of cement content.

Application Library Title:
isotropic_compression_mscc

Download from the Application Gallery

Triaxial and Oedometer Test with Modified Cam–Clay Material Model

A 1D plot of volumetric plastic strain versus axial strain with a blue solid line for OCR value 1 and a green solid line for OCR value 5.
Volumetric strain vs. axial strain for two different values of the overconsolidation ratio.

Application Library Title:
triaxial_and_oedometer_test_mcc

Download from the Application Gallery