PLAXIS

CONNECT Edition V21.00

Feature:
Convergence logging information for PLAXIS calculations

>ĂƐƚhƉĚĂƚĞĚ͗:ĂŶƵĂƌLJϭ9͕ϮϬϮϭ
Table of contents

1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1
2 Structure of the convergence log file ................................................................ 3
3 Evaluating the accuracy of the solution ............................................................ 6
3.1 Convergence criteria for deformation analysis ..................................................... 6
3.1.1 Global Error Checking ................................................................................... 6
3.1.1.1 Check on the force residuals ............................................................................. 6
3.1.1.2 Check on the moment residuals (if applicable) ................................................. 7
3.1.2 Local error indicators .................................................................................... 7
3.1.2.1 Inaccurate plastic points ................................................................................... 7
3.1.2.1.1 Inaccurate plastic points concept .............................................................. 7
3.1.2.1.2 Inaccurate plastic points for soil elements (both PLAXIS 2D and 3D) ... 9
3.1.2.1.3 Inaccurate plastic points for interfaces (both PLAXIS 2D and 3D) ....... 10
3.1.2.1.4 Inaccurate plastic points for beams (only PLAXIS 3D) ......................... 11
3.1.2.1.5 For plates (only PLAXIS 3D) ................................................................. 11
3.1.2.1.6 For anchors (only PLAXIS 3D) .............................................................. 11
3.1.2.1.7 For geogrids (only PLAXIS 3D) ............................................................ 12
3.1.2.2 Accuracy in the plastic zone (integrated local error) in PLAXIS 3D ................. 12
3.1.3 Additional convergence criteria for embedded beams .................................13
3.1.3.1 Convergence criteria for embedded beams in PLAXIS 2D ............................... 13
3.1.3.2 Convergence criteria for embedded beams in PLAXIS 3D .............................. 14
3.2 Convergence criteria for flow analysis ................................................................15
3.2.1 Global Error Checking ..................................................................................15
3.2.1.1 Flow error ........................................................................................................ 15
3.2.1.2 Change of heat storage for thermal flow calculation ..................................... 15
3.2.1.3 Unsaturated behaviour convergence check for groundatwer flow analysis .. 16
3.2.2 Local error indicators for groundwater flow calculation ...............................17
3.2.2.1 Inaccurate nodes for specific boundary conditions ........................................ 17
3.2.2.1.1 Inaccurate seepage nodes ........................................................................ 17
3.2.2.1.2 Inaccurate well (extraction) nodes .......................................................... 17
3.2.2.1.3 Inaccurate drain nodes ............................................................................ 17
3.2.2.1.4 Inaccurate ponding nodes ....................................................................... 18
3.2.2.2 Maximum allowable number of iterations for checking status change ......... 18

PLAXIS CE V21.00
 3.2.3 Particular case of steady-state calculation ...................................................18
3.2.3.1 Local GW flow error ........................................................................................ 19
3.2.3.2 Average pore pressure change ....................................................................... 19
3.2.3.3 Maximum pore pressure change .................................................................... 19
3.2.3.3.1 Concept of inaccurate pore pressure nodes ............................................ 19
3.2.3.3.2 Maximum pore pressure change criteria................................................. 20
3.2.3.4 Inaccurate nodes for specific boundary conditions ........................................ 20
Appendix: Understanding the Iterative Convergence Process in PLAXIS ................. 22
Quasi-Newton Raphson method .......................................................................................... 22
Field equations and convergence criteria ............................................................................ 24

PLAXIS CE V21.00
1 Introduction

The PLAXIS calculation progress window provides access to a log file to help the user
understand the convergence behavior of his analysis and debug the model if necessary. PLAXIS
calculation kernel stores information in the PLAXIS project directory within a file named
data.convd.rr# where # is the corresponding phase number (data.convf.rr# for flow problem).
The file provides a summary of all convergence criteria for each for each step, attempt, and
iteration of a given phase analysis. This diagnostic information is saved automatically for every
analysis being run. If an analysis takes longer than expected or terminates prematurely, you
can view the logging information in any editor to help determine the cause and to identify
ways to correct the model eventually.

Figure 1: Accessing logging information from Calculation progress window

The file can be opened either during the analysis of each phase set to be calculated through
the View log button from the Calculation progress window (see Figure 1) or from the Phase
after calculation has been run (see Figure 2).

PLAXIS CE V21.00 1
 Figure 2: Accessing logging information from the Phase Explorer

PLAXIS CE V21.00 2
2 Structure of the convergence log file

An example of convergence log file is given in Figure 3.

The file always contains the following set of data:

• Information regarding the calculated Phase
o Name
o Number of active nodes
o Number of active soil elements
o Number of active structural elements (per type)
o Number of active dof
• Calculation type and convergence criteria
• Step size control parameters
• List of steps
o List of attempts
▪ List of iterations
• Current step size
• Total number of iterations
• Relevant convergence indicator values
• Check against relevant convergence criteria
▪ Step size reevaluation check
o Step summary
▪ Total time or relevant total multiplier value
▪ Step convergence status
▪ Locations of relevant maxima
• Phase summary

data.convd.rr

DATE 2020-10-27 TIME 13:36:06.225

Reference project: ...

... Lines skipped ...

========================================================
========================================================
PHASE 1: "Diaphragm wall construction"

17124 active of 17124 nodes

2049 active of 2049 soil elements
141 active of 141 interface elements
65 active of 65 plate elements
22279 active of 22279 dofs

PLAXIS CE V21.00 3
========================================================
========================================================

CALCULATION TYPE Plastic

CONVERGENCE CRITERIA
Global force error tolerance 1.000E-02
Global moment error tolerance 1.000E-03
Inaccurate soil plastic point tolerance 1.000E-01
Integrated interface local error tolerance 1.000E-01
Inaccurate interface plastic point tolerance 1.000E-01

STEP SIZE CONTROL PARAMETERS

Maximum iterations per step 60
Desired minimum iterations per step 6
Desired maximum iterations per step 15
Maximum consecutive negative steps 5
Arc-length control On

========================================================
STEP 1
========================================================

STEP 1 - ATTEMPT 1 - ITERATION 1

Current step size 5.000E-01
Total number of iterations in current step 1
Global force error 8.814E-04
Integrated soil local error 7.134E-04
Global moment error 1.258E-11
Soil plastic points
Total 18065
Inaccurate 541
Check convergence
Minimum of 2 iterations per attempt not reached
Converged attempt: NO

STEP 1 - ATTEMPT 1 - ITERATION 2

Current step size 4.265E-01
Total number of iterations in current step 2
Global force error 4.733E-04
Integrated soil local error 1.643E-04
Global moment error 8.774E-12
Soil plastic points
Total 18109
Inaccurate 29
Check convergence
Converged attempt: YES

STEP 1 - SUMMARY
Reached sum-MStage 4.265E-01
Step convergence achieved YES
Relative stiffness 8.649E-01
Maximum out-of-balance force -3.617E+00
At node 6782, dof 2
Location ( 8.525E+00,-3.000E+01, 0.000E+00)
Maximum incremental displacement -5.878E-04
At node 16037, dof 2

PLAXIS CE V21.00 4
 Location ( 8.600E+00,-5.597E-01, 0.000E+00)

... Lines skipped ...

========================================================
========================================================
PHASE SUMMARY
========================================================
========================================================
Prescribed ultimate state reached

Figure 3: Convergence log file for plastic analysis

PLAXIS CE V21.00 5
3 Evaluating the accuracy of the solution

Appendix A presents a brief familiarization of the iterative convergence process in PLAXIS

which highlights that a non-linear calculation can only be sufficiently accurate if the error in
the residuals (or out-of-balance force) is less than the tolerated error. Moreover, depending
on the type of problem modelled additional criteria are also considered by PLAXIS for
enforcing both globally and locally closed-to-zero out-of-balances. This chapter presents an
overview of all convergence criteria for either deformation or flow analyses.

3.1 Convergence criteria for deformation analysis

These criteria are applicable for the following type of analysis

• Plastic analysis
• Consolidation analysis
• Dynamic analysis
• Safety analysis
• Fully coupled analysis (deformation part)
This part describes the quantities being reported by the PLAXIS calculation kernel in the
convergence log file with respect to reported convergence indicator values during the iterative
process and looping of steps and iterations in an attempt to satisfy relevant convergence
criteria for deformation analysis.

3.1.1 Global Error Checking

3.1.1.1 Check on the force residuals

A global error indicator for nodal forces is systematically calculated with the consideration of
the total number of degrees of freedom

‖𝑟‖2 ‖𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑡 − 𝑓𝑒𝑥𝑡 ‖2

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑡
= 𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑡
𝐶𝑆𝑃‖𝑓𝑒𝑥𝑡 ‖2 + ‖𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑡 ‖2 𝐶𝑆𝑃‖𝑓𝑒𝑥𝑡 ‖2 + ‖𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑡 ‖2

Where ‖. ‖2 is the quadratic norm.

And CSP (Current Stiffness Parameter) is defined as:

𝑒
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 ∫𝑉𝑎𝑐𝑡 ∆𝜀𝐷 ∆𝜀 𝑑𝑉
𝐶𝑆𝑃 = =
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 ∫ ∆𝜀 ∆𝜎 𝑑𝑉 𝑉𝑎𝑐𝑡

The convergence criteria for force then reads:

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

PLAXIS CE V21.00 6
where

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

with 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 by default set to 0.01.

3.1.1.2 Check on the moment residuals (if applicable)

A global error indicator for moment in structural elements is calculated with respect to
Moment for structural elements having rotational dof:

‖𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑡 − 𝑚𝑒𝑥𝑡 ‖∞
𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 =
𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑓

where ‖. ‖∞ is the infinite norm and mext results on the moment contribution of each external
force component. The reference moment mref is computed as follow:

𝑇
𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑓 = ∑ ∫|𝐵𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝜎|𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 . 𝑑𝑉
𝑒𝑙

The convergence criteria for moment reads:

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

This criterium only applies to structural elements with rotational degrees of freedom.

3.1.2 Local error indicators

As mentioned earlier PLAXIS also enforces several local convergence checks, local error
indicators are the first of them

3.1.2.1 Inaccurate plastic points

3.1.2.1.1 Inaccurate plastic points concept

A point is defined as plastically inaccurate if:

PlasticLocalError > ToleratedPlasticLocalError

PLAXIS CE V21.00 7
where PlasticLocalError is calculated differently depending on the type of elements as
explained later. This concept is considered for:

• soil elements,
• interface elements (including node-to-node interface of embedded beam except in
PLAXIS 3D where inaccurate plastic points are counted separately for soil interface and
EB interfaces).

Convergence is satisfied if

Numbers of inaccurate soil plastic points <

ToleratedInaccurateSoilPlasticPointPercentage*numbers of soil plastic points + 3

and

Numbers of inaccurate interface plastic points <

ToleratedInaccurateInterfacePlasticPointPercentage*numbers of interface plastic
points + 3

where

ToleratedInaccurateSoilPlasticPointPercentage and
ToleratedInaccurateInterfacePlasticPointPercentage are by default set to 0.1.

The check should be satisfied for each independent counting. Note that only inaccurate plastic
points for soil and interface are being reported in the calculation progress window but in
PLAXIS 2D inaccurate non-linear elastic points are also separately monitored for soil elements
only (relevant for constitutive models with stress-dependent elastic stiffness). In PLAXIS 2D,
convergence criteria then also consider:

Numbers of inaccurate non-linear elastic points <

ToleratedInaccurateSoilElasticPointPercentage*numbers of total linear elastic
points + 3

Where numbers of total linear elastic points include all elastic points (active and non-active).

Finally in PLAXIS 3D additional independent inaccurate plastic points counting are also
accounted for the following structural elements:
• Beams
• Plates
• Anchors
• Geotextiles

PLAXIS CE V21.00 8
3.1.2.1.2 Inaccurate plastic points for soil elements (both PLAXIS 2D and 3D)

For soil elements, PLAXIS calculates the following for each stress point:

‖𝜎𝑒𝑞,𝑗 − 𝜎𝑐,𝑗 ‖
𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 =
max (𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥,𝑗 , 𝑐, 1 𝑘𝑃𝑎)

where: (see Figure 4)

𝜎𝑐,𝑗 = 𝜎0 + 𝐷𝑒 (∆𝜀𝑗 − ∆𝜀𝑝,𝑗 ) = 𝜎0 + 𝐷𝑒 (∆𝜀𝑒,𝑗 )

𝜎𝑒𝑞,𝑗 = 𝜎𝑐,𝑗−1 + 𝐷𝑒 𝛿𝜀𝑗

The equilibrium stress is calculated based on the linearized soil behavior at FE model level
whereas the constitutive stress is the ones computed by consideration of the real soil
constitutive behavior at stress point.

Soil plastic stress points j are inaccurate if

𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

Iterations
f(σeq,1) f(σeq,2)
f(σeq,3)
Current f(σc,3)
step f(σc,2)
f(σc,1)

f(σ0)

Δu
δε1 δε2 δε3

Δε1

Δε2

Δε3

Figure 4: Equilibrium and constitutive stress concept

PLAXIS CE V21.00 9
In PLAXIS 3D convergence check on number of inaccurate soil plastic points are skipped if

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 < 0.01 ∗ 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

3.1.2.1.3 Particular case of inaccurate elastic points for soil elements in PLAXIS 2D

For PLAXIS 2D only, inaccurate non-linear elastic points are also monitored and defined as:

‖𝜎𝑒𝑞,𝑗 − 𝜎𝑐,𝑗 ‖
𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 =
max (𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥,𝑗 , 𝑐, 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑓 ⁄200)

Soil non-linear elastic stress points j are inaccurate if

𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

3.1.2.1.4 Inaccurate plastic points for interfaces (both PLAXIS 2D and 3D)

For interface elements, PLAXIS also calculates the following quantity for each stress point:

‖𝜏𝑒𝑞,𝑗 − 𝜏𝑐,𝑗 ‖
𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 =
max (𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥,𝑗 , 𝑐, 1 𝑘𝑃𝑎)

Interface plastic points j are inaccurate if:

𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

One shall note that

• In PLAXIS 2D Inaccurate plastic points for interfaces also included embedded beam row
coupling springs in its counting
• In PLAXIS 3D convergence check on number of inaccurate interface plastic points are
skipped if:

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 < 0.1 ∗ 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

PLAXIS CE V21.00 10
3.1.2.1.5 Inaccurate plastic points for beams (only PLAXIS 3D)

For beam elements, PLAXIS 3D calculates the following for each stress point:

𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙
‖𝜎𝑒𝑞,𝑗 − 𝜎𝑐,𝑗 ‖
𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 = 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙
‖𝜎𝑒𝑞,𝑗 ‖

Beam plastic points j are inaccurate if:

𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

3.1.2.1.6 For plates (only PLAXIS 3D)

For plate elements, PLAXIS 3D calculates the following for each stress point:

𝑖𝑛−𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑛−𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒
‖𝐹𝑒𝑞,𝑗 − 𝐹𝑐,𝑗 ‖
𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 = 𝑖𝑛−𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒
‖𝐹𝑒𝑞,𝑗 ‖

Plate plastic points j are inaccurate if:

𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

3.1.2.1.7 For anchors (only PLAXIS 3D)

For anchor elements, PLAXIS 3D calculates the following for each stress point:

‖𝐹𝑒𝑞,𝑗 − 𝐹𝑐,𝑗 ‖
𝐴𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 =
‖𝐹𝑒𝑞,𝑗 ‖

Anchor plastic points j are inaccurate if:

𝐴𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐴𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐴𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

PLAXIS CE V21.00 11
3.1.2.1.8 For geogrids (only PLAXIS 3D)

For plate elements, PLAXIS 3D calculates the local error quantities for each stress point. Local
error calculation depends here whether the material is defined as isotropic

𝑖𝑛−𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑛−𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒
‖𝐹𝑒𝑞,𝑗 − 𝐹𝑐,𝑗 ‖
𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 = 𝑖𝑛−𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒
‖𝐹𝑒𝑞,𝑗 ‖

Or anisotropic

1 1
‖𝜎𝑒𝑞,𝑗 − 𝜎𝑐,𝑗 ‖
𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟1,𝑗 = 1
‖𝜎𝑒𝑞,𝑗 ‖
2 2
‖𝜎𝑒𝑞,𝑗 − 𝜎𝑐,𝑗 ‖
𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟2,𝑗 = 2
‖𝜎𝑒𝑞,𝑗 ‖

Geogrid plastic points j are inaccurate if:

𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

In PLAXIS 3D convergence check on number of inaccurate geogrid plastic points are ignored if

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 < 0.01 ∗ 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

3.1.2.2 Accuracy in the plastic zone (integrated local error) in PLAXIS 3D

The plastic global error also called the integrated local error is defined as:

∑𝑗=1,𝑁 ∫𝑉 (𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 ) 𝑑𝑉
𝑝,𝑗
𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 =
∑𝑗=1,𝑁 ∫𝑉 𝑑𝑉
𝑝

where 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑗 has been defined in paragraph 3.1.2.1.1.

Convergence is satisfied if

𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

PLAXIS CE V21.00 12
The plastic error is calculated in PLAXIS 3D only for

• Soil elements for plastic points only with

𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑆𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

• Interfaces

𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

• Anchors

𝐴𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐴𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

• Geogrids

𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑒𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑑𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

unless (3D geogrids only)

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 < 0.01 ∗ 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

3.1.3 Additional convergence criteria for embedded beams

Additional convergence criteria are being considered to check accuracy in couplings springs
(or special interfaces) for embedded beams. Accuracy checks with that respect are different
in PLAXIS 2D and PLAXIS 3D.

3.1.3.1 Convergence criteria for embedded beams in PLAXIS 2D

Inaccurate plastic points in coupling springs are counted together with inaccurate interfaces
plastic points (no distinction between standard interfaces and special interfaces).

Additionally, a foot force error is computed as:

𝑝 𝑝
∑𝑝=1,𝑁𝑒𝑏|𝐹𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡,𝑒𝑞 − 𝐹𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡,𝑐 |
𝐹𝑜𝑜𝑡𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑝 𝑝
𝑚𝑎𝑥 (∑𝑝=1,𝑁𝑒𝑏 |𝐹𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡,𝑐 | , 0.01 ∗ ∑𝑝=1,𝑁𝑒𝑏 |𝐹𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡,𝑚𝑎𝑥 | , 1.0)

Convergence is satisfied if

𝐹𝑜𝑜𝑡𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐹𝑜𝑜𝑡𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐹𝑜𝑜𝑡𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 5 ∗ 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

PLAXIS CE V21.00 13
The concept of constitutive and equivalent forces for Ffoot is also considered in the same
fashion as for stresses in soil (Figure 4). The equilibrium foot force is calculated based on the
linearized pile tip behavior whereas the constitutive force is the one computed by
consideration of real constitutive behavior of coupling springs at embedded beam tip.

3.1.3.2 Convergence criteria for embedded beams in PLAXIS 3D

In PLAXIS 3D, an embedded beam error is computed for each individual embedded beam
element p as

𝐸𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑝
𝑝 𝑝 𝑝 𝑝
|𝐹𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡,𝑒𝑞 + ∫𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑇𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑛,𝑒𝑞 𝑑𝑙 − 𝐹𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡,𝑐 − ∫𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑇𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑛,𝑐 𝑑𝑙|
=
𝑚𝑎𝑥(𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 , 1.0)

where
𝑝 𝑝 𝑝 𝑝
𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = max (|𝐹𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡,𝑒𝑞 + ∫ 𝑇𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑛,𝑒𝑞 𝑑𝑙| , |𝐹𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡,𝑐 + ∫ 𝑇𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑛,𝑐 𝑑𝑙|)
𝑝=1,𝑁𝑒𝑏 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ

The concept of constitutive and equivalent forces for Ffoot and Tskin is also considered in the
same fashion as for stress in soil (Figure 4). The equilibrium forces are calculated based on the
linearized pile tip/skin behavior whereas the constitutive forces are the ones computed by
consideration of real constitutive behavior of coupling springs along embedded beam length
and at embedded beam tip.

This way inaccurate 3D embedded beams could be identified when

𝐸𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑝 > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where by default

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 if 𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

= 5 × 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 if 𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 0.01 ∗ 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

{ 2 × 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 otherwise

The convergence criteria is relatively strict in PLAXIS 3D as no inaccurate embedded beam are
allowed which reads:

max (𝐸𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑝 )
𝑝=1,𝑁𝑒𝑏
< 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑚𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

PLAXIS CE V21.00 14
3.2 Convergence criteria for flow analysis

These criteria are applicable for the following type of analysis

• Steady state flow (groundwater and/or thermal)

• Transient flow (groundwater and/or thermal)
• Fully coupled analysis (groundwater flow part)
This part describes the quantities being reported by the PLAXIS calculation kernel in the
convergence log file with respect to reported convergence indicator values during the iterative
process and looping of steps and iterations in an attempt to satisfy relevant convergence
criteria for flow analysis.

3.2.1 Global Error Checking

3.2.1.1 Flow error

A global error indicator for nodal flux is systematically calculated with the consideration of the
total number of degrees of freedom

∑‖𝑞𝑖𝑛𝑡 − 𝑞𝑒𝑥𝑡 ‖𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 =
𝑜𝑢𝑡 ‖ 𝑖𝑛
𝑚𝑎𝑥 (∑‖𝑞𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠 , ∑‖𝑞𝑒𝑥𝑡 ‖𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠 )

Note that fluxes are computed differently in groundwater flow than in heat flow (Darcy flux
GWFlowError vs heat flux ThFlowErr).

Convergence is satisfied if:

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

Where 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 is by default set to 0.01. This condition is enforced for each
(pseudo) time step.

3.2.1.2 Change of heat storage for thermal flow calculation

For heat flow PLAXIS is also considering additional checks

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒

where
‖𝑄𝑛𝑒𝑤 − 𝑄𝑜𝑙𝑑 ‖
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 =
‖𝑄𝑜𝑙𝑑 ‖

and for which the calculation of the heat storage Q takes into consideration the sensible heat
of each constituent (soil, water, ice) along with possible latent heat due to phase change.

PLAXIS CE V21.00 15
In PLAXIS 2D we have:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = 10. 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

3.2.1.3 Unsaturated behaviour convergence check for groundatwer flow analysis

In case of unsaturated behavior in groundwater flow analysis, additional checks are being
performed as the hydraulic conductivity and storativity matrices are computed at the
beginning of each time step assuming particular values for the degree-of-saturation and
relative permeability. A time step is judged valid if:

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒

and
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐾𝑟𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐾𝑟𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒

where

‖𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑤 − 𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 ‖
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 =
‖𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 ‖
and
‖𝐾𝑟𝑒𝑙,𝑛𝑒𝑤 − 𝐾𝑟𝑒𝑙,𝑜𝑙𝑑 ‖
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐾𝑟𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 =
‖𝐾𝑟𝑒𝑙,𝑜𝑙𝑑 ‖

In PLAXIS, we have

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐾𝑟𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒= 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒= 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

Some additional checks are also being considered to prevent excessive changes of the relative
permeability and/or degree of saturation in the unsaturated zone which reads:

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 < 𝐸𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒

and

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐾𝑟𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 < 𝐸𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒𝐾𝑟𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒

with

𝐸𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒𝐾𝑟𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒= 𝐸𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒= 10 ∗ 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

If excessive changes of degree-of-saturation or relative permeability are being detected, then

a new step attempt will be taken with a smaller time step size (downscaling factor is 1.5)

Finally, after any increase of the step size (upscaling due to number of iterations lower than
minimum desired), a sanity check is being performed (namely the step size upscaling validity).
If the resulting change of right after leads to:

PLAXIS CE V21.00 16
 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 > 𝐸𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
and
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝐾𝑟𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 > 𝐸𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒𝐾𝑟𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒

Then the upscaling is ignored, and the step size is scaled back to its previous value.

3.2.2 Local error indicators for groundwater flow calculation

As for deformation analysis, flow analysis in PLAXIS also enforces additional local convergence
check. Those are related to monitoring inaccurate nodes for specific boundary conditions for
groundwater flow calculation

3.2.2.1 Inaccurate nodes for specific boundary conditions

3.2.2.1.1 Inaccurate seepage nodes

Seepage nodes can be open or closed. If water wants to flow out, the pore pressure should be
zero. If the water tries to flow in, the node should be closed. In PLAXIS, a seepage node which
change status between two consecutive time steps is set as inaccurate.

The following convergence criteria is then enforced:

Numbers of inaccurate seepage nodes < max

(int(ToleratedInaccurateSeepageNodesPercentage*numbers of seepage nodes), 1)

where:

ToleratedInaccurateSeepageNodesPercentage = 0.001

3.2.2.1.2 Inaccurate well (extraction) nodes

If the water head in the well nodes goes below minimum specified head and if the active pore
pressure in the same node is positive, then the pore pressure in the well node is set to Pmax. A
well node which change status between two consecutive time steps is set as inaccurate.

The corresponding convergence criteria on inaccurate well nodes reads:

Numbers of inaccurate well nodes < 1

3.2.2.1.3 Inaccurate drain nodes

If inflow is being detected in a drain node then it is switched to closed node. A drain node
which change status between two consecutive time steps is set as inaccurate.

PLAXIS CE V21.00 17
The corresponding convergence criteria on inaccurate drain nodes reads:

Numbers of inaccurate drain nodes < 1

3.2.2.1.4 Inaccurate ponding nodes

If the head to get prescribed inflow is exceeded the nodes BC is changed to prescribed head A
well node which change status between two consecutive time steps is set as inaccurate.

The corresponding convergence criteria on inaccurate drain nodes reads:

Numbers of inaccurate ponding nodes <

(int(ToleratedInaccuratePondingNodesPercentage*numbers of seepage nodes), 1)

where:

ToleratedInaccuratePondingNodesPercentage = 0.01

3.2.2.2 Maximum allowable number of iterations for checking status change

The check on node status for each of the boundary condition types will done over a Maximum
allowable number of iterations. Beyond the boundary conditions status check will be ignored.
The maximum allowable number of iterations for checking status change are:
• For seepage nodes: 10
• For drain nodes: 10
• For well nodes: 10
• For ponding nodes: 2

3.2.3 Particular case of steady-state calculation

A steady state calculation is also solved using an implicit time stepping scheme (pseudo time
step). |For each pseudo-time step, the global error indicator for nodal flux must satisfied the
global flow error convergence criteria as given in paragraph 3.2.1.1:

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

One shall note that in PLAXIS the 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 is internally set to 0.01 for steady
state flow analysis and cannot be explicitly set by user.

For steady state heat flow analysis, convergence criteria regarding change of heat storage for
thermal flow calculation has described in paragraph 3.2.1.2 is also enforced

For steady state groundwater flow calculation, the same convergence criteria as considered
in transient analysis with respect to unsaturated behavior are also being enforced (see

PLAXIS CE V21.00 18
paragraph 3.2.1.3).Moreover, additional specific flow checks are being considered and which
are only considered for steady state groundwater flow analysis.

3.2.3.1 Local GW flow error

An additional condition on flow error at local level should be satisfied during steady-state flow
analysis:

𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where

2
( max |𝑞𝑒𝑥 −𝑞𝑖𝑛 |)
𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠
𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 2
𝑜𝑢𝑡 ‖ 𝑖𝑛
𝑚𝑎𝑥 (∑‖𝑞𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠 , ∑‖𝑞𝑒𝑥𝑡 ‖𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠 )

In PLAXIS one has:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟= 10. 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

3.2.3.2 Average pore pressure change

The following steady state regime condition should be satisfied as well:

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒

where
∑𝑖=1,𝑁𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠(𝑝𝑛𝑒𝑤,𝑖 2 − 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖 2 )
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 =
∑𝑖=1,𝑁𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠(𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖 2 )
and
𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = 0.005

with new and old subscripts referring to two consecutive pseudo-time steps

3.2.3.3 Maximum pore pressure change

3.2.3.3.1 Concept of inaccurate pore pressure nodes

The number of inaccurate pore pressure nodes are counted during a steady state groundwater
flow analysis and a flow node i is inaccurate if

𝑆𝑆𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑁𝐷(𝑖) > 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑆𝑆𝐺𝑊𝐹𝑁𝑜𝑑𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

where

PLAXIS CE V21.00 19
 𝑝𝑛𝑒𝑤,𝑖 2 − 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖 2
𝑆𝑆𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑁𝐷(𝑖) =
𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖 2

By default, in PLAXIS we have:

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑆𝑆𝐺𝑊𝐹𝑁𝑜𝑑𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 100. 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒

3.2.3.3.2 Maximum pore pressure change criteria

A check on the maximum pore pressure change (the most inaccurate pore pressure node) will
be enforced”

𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

Where
𝑝𝑛𝑒𝑤,𝑖 2 − 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖 2
𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = max ( )
𝑖=1,𝑁𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖 2

By default

𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 =10* 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒

However, if the number of steps is larger than 10 and either

• The number of inaccurate pore pressure nodes nSSErrNod satisfies:

nSSErrNod < ToleratedInaccurateNodesPercentageSSFlow *

total number of flow nodes (active and inactive)

ToleratedInaccurateNodesPercentageSSFlow = 0.01 (default)

• Or the global flow error 𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 satisfies:

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 0.01. 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

Then the criteria on maximum pore pressure change will be disregarded

3.2.3.4 Inaccurate nodes for specific boundary conditions

Inaccurate nodes are also considered during steady state groundwater flow calculation using
the exact same definition as given in paragraph 3.2.2.1. This only specificity of steady state
calculation with respect to transient is in the definition of the maximum allowable number of
iterations for checking status change.

PLAXIS CE V21.00 20
For steady-state calculation, the maximum allowable numbers of iterations for checking status
change are reduced and equal to:
• For seepage nodes: 2
• For drain nodes: 2
• For well nodes: 2
• For ponding nodes: 2

PLAXIS CE V21.00 21
Appendix: Understanding the Iterative Convergence Process in
PLAXIS

When using finite element analysis, the term “convergence” is often used. Mesh convergence
is often the most important issue that needs to be addressed. By mesh convergence one
means how small the elements need to be to ensure that the results of the finite element
analysis are not affected by changing the size of the mesh. Usually this is handled by the user
by performing mesh sensitivity analysis until the FEA solution is no longer affected by any
further mesh refinement.

Additionally, in nonlinear problems, convergence in the iteration procedure also needs to be

considered. This is what the convergence logging information provided by PLAXIS is all about.
It provides a set of information that allow the user to monitor the progress of the analysis run.

Quasi-Newton Raphson method

In nonlinear problems the governing balance equations must be solved iteratively by means
of the Newton-Raphson method. The iterative process as schematized in Figure 5 considers
the update of the incremental displacement as

𝛿𝑢𝑖 = 𝐾𝑖−1 (𝑓𝑒𝑥𝑡 − 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑡,𝑖 )

The process is repeated iteratively until the out-of-balance force (𝑓𝑒𝑥𝑡 − 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑡,𝑖 ) becomes small
compared the applied force itself 𝑓𝑒𝑥𝑡 . A disadvantage of this method is that the stiffness
matrix K has to be set up at every iteration and the time-consuming decomposition of the
matrix (to compute its inverse) has to be performed every iteration as well.

This is for this reason that PLAXIS is rather using a Quasi-newton method because the
computation cost of finding a new stiffness matrix inverse at every iteration. The Quasi-
Newton method essentially uses the information of previous solution vectors and out-of-
balance force vectors during the increment to achieve a better approximation (see Figure 6) .
Unlike Regular Newton-Raphson, the Quasi-Newton method does not set up a completely new
stiffness matrix every iteration and is computationally significantly more efficient

PLAXIS CE V21.00 22
 Figure 5: Iteration process

Figure 6: Quasi-Newton iteration

PLAXIS CE V21.00 23
Field equations and convergence criteria

Depending on the physical nature of the problem PLAXIS is solving different model global
errors (out-of-balance) are computed as shown below

Physical problem Field variable Conjugate flux

Soil stress analysis Displacement u Force F
Structural stress analysis Rotation Ф Moment M
Groundwater flow analysis Pore water pressure p GW Flow qGW
Heat transfer analysis Temperature T Heat flow qT

The global error should always be less than the tolerated error:

𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 < 𝑇𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟

The tolerated error can be provided by the user and usually a default value of 0.01 (1%) is
considered. In PLAXIS, the tolerated error is the same for each criterion checked upon.
Coupled problems requires the satisfaction of the convergence criteria of each field
independently except for consolidation analysis for which only soil stress and eventually
structural stress if structural elements have been activated in such consolidation phase.

Due to the high non-linearity nature of the physical problem being model, the obtention on
accurate non-linear solution requires the consideration of additional local criteria
convergence the nature and value of which depends on the type of problems being considered
as described in the main part of the documentation.

PLAXIS CE V21.00 24