Bentley Systems

Numerical pile modelling does not stop at selecting between volume piles and embedded beam piles. Calibration plays an important role in aligning the numerical response with pile load test data or reference load-displacement curves. This Thursday, Dr. Richard Witasse will focus on pile modelling and calibration in PLAXIS 3D, moving from an overview of the two modelling approaches into practical calibration workflows. The session will explore: 💠 Back-analysis using field pile load test data or established reference approaches 💠 Calibration of skin friction and end-bearing mobilization 💠 Influence of soil constitutive behaviour on pile stiffness 💠 Approaches for incorporating pile installation effects 📅 Thursday, 29 October 2026 | 3:00 PM CET Modeling and Calibrating Piles in PLAXIS 3D: From Numerical Approaches to Load Test Calibration Register here 👉 https://bentley.info/ut8dd 📌 For those following the full webinar series: the session with Dr. Ronald Brinkgreve, “Constitutive Clay Modeling: Theory, Calibration, and Engineering Practice”, has moved to 19 November 2026 at 3:00 PM CET.

Understanding clay behaviour is essential for numerical analysis, as strength, stiffness, consolidation, and creep all influence settlement and long-term performance. Selecting an appropriate constitutive model, deriving parameters from site investigation and laboratory testing, and calibrating those parameters are important aspects of practical geotechnical analysis in clay soils. 📅 22 October 3:00 PM CEST Constitutive Clay Modelling: Theory, Calibration, and Engineering Practice Join Dr. Ronald Brinkgreve for a practical webinar on modelling clay behaviour in PLAXIS. The session will explore commonly used constitutive models, including Hardening Soil (HS) and Soft Soil Creep (SSC), and discuss how parameters can be derived from site investigation data and laboratory testing. The session will also demonstrate how PLAXIS SoilTest can be used to compare numerical simulations with laboratory results and support parameter calibration, helping engineers better understand model behaviour and common modelling challenges. Topics include: 💠 Characteristics and modelling challenges of clay soils 💠 Application of HS and SSC models in PLAXIS 💠 Parameter derivation from field and laboratory data 💠 Calibration with PLAXIS SoilTest 💠 Common modelling pitfalls and how to avoid them If you're involved in settlement-sensitive projects or numerical analysis of clay soils, this session will focus on practical aspects of clay modelling and parameter calibration in PLAXIS. Register here 👉 https://bentley.info/uttCF

Interested in advanced soil constitutive models, PLAXIS SoilTest feature, pile calibration using field test data and the new embedded beam formulation ? Four experts, three technical sessions and one objective: improving confidence in deep foundation modelling Join Dr. Ronald Brinkreve, Dr. Richard Witasse, Prof. franz tschuchnigg and Dr. Andreas-Nizar Granitzer for a series about key aspects of deep foundation modelling: constitutive models, Pile calibration, pile modelling and the latest developments in the embedded beam formulation 1️⃣ Session 1 – Dr. Ronald Brinkgreve Constitutive Modelling of Clays: Theory, Calibration, and Engineering Practice: - The characteristics and challenges of clay-type soils. - How clay soils can be modelled using advanced constitutive models in PLAXIS. - How to derive model parameters from site investigation data and laboratory testing - How to calibrate soil models and parameters using PLAXIS SoilTest. - How to identify common pitfalls and avoid modelling errors 2️⃣ Session 2 – Dr. Richard Witasse Modelling and Calibrating Piles in PLAXIS 3D: From Numerical Approaches to Load Test Calibration: - The theoretical foundations, practical advantages, and inherent limitations of both Volume Piles and Embedded Beam Piles in PLAXIS 3D. - How to back-analyse load-displacement responses using actual field pile load test data or standardized regulatory curves (Fleming curves, Eurocode, Reference T-z curves). - Techniques to independently identify and calibrate skin friction and end-bearing mobilization as a function of pile displacement. - How advanced soil constitutive models impact overall pile stiffness, particularly for serviceability state analysis. - Practical approaches for incorporating pile installation effects into numerical analyses. 3️⃣ Session 3 – Prof. Franz Tschuchnigg and Dr. Andreas-Nizar Granitzer Mastering Pile-Soil Interaction with the New Embedded Pile Formulation: - Principal pile modelling techniques in PLAXIS 3D. - Evolution of embedded beam formulation in PLAXIS 3D. - Features of new embedded beam formulation in PLAXIS 3D. - Real-world performance of new embedded beam formulation in PLAXIS 3D. For more info, please check the following link here: https://bentley.info/utgIy Follow me for more PLAXIS tips, events and updates

Your journey deserves an audience. Submit it for Bentley Tech Summit 2027 and put your expertise in front of the peers who'll build on it.

If you're one of the people behind the world's infrastructure, Bentley Tech Summit 2027 is the place for you

Someone out there is working to solve the problem you already solved. Share your story at Bentley Tech Summit 2027 and help them get there faster.