Computational Plasticity for Geotechnical Applications

Soils and rocks typically exhibit strongly nonlinear, inelastic load-deformation behavior. Capturing their mechanical response in numerical simulations requires elaborate constitutive models and robust numerical algorithms. Computational plasticity strives to strike a balance between complexity of the constitutive model and feasibility of numerical implementation. In this paper, we describe the applications of computational plasticity to four classes of problems in geotechnical engineering: (a) multiscale problems including bridging of different scales; (b) nonlinear contact mechanics; (c) multiphysics and multifield problems; and (d) seismic response of geotechnical structures.