Independent comparison between Plaxis and DeepXcav

for a 20m metro station excavation

DeepXcav software program (Version 2011)

Document Version 1.0

Issued: 20-February-2012

Deep Excavation LLCwww.deepexcavation.com

20m deep excavation with cross-lot struts, independent comparison between Plaxis and DeepXcav.Plaxis DeepXcav

Maximum wall momentsPlaxis: Mmax= 551 kNm/mDeepXcav: Mmax= 545 kNm/m

Difference in support reactions 10% to 20%

20m deep excavation with pretensioned ground anchors, independent comparison between Plaxis and DeepXcav.Plaxis DeepXcav

Maximum wall momentsPlaxis: Mmax= 669 kNm/mDeepXcav: Mmax= 666 kNm/m

Difference in support reactions 10% to 20%

Comparison of water pressure contoursPlaxis DeepXcav

Comparison of features between Plaxis 2D and DeepXcav:DeepXcav is a software program dedicated to the design of deep excavations, soil nailing, and slope stability conditions. On the other hand, Plaxis is a general finite element analysis tool that has potentially broader applications. Both tools can be very valuable in evaluating the behavior of deep excavations. However, DeepXcav as a design tool offers many advantages that cover the overwhelming cases of deep excavations. The following table compares the basic features of the two programs for deep excavations, slope stability, and soil nailing.

No. Feature Plaxis 2D DeepXcav1 Stage dependent analysis Yes Yes2 Elastoplastic soil models Yes Yes3 Linear-elasticity soil models Yes Yes4 General finite element mesh for soil mass Yes No5 Non-linear winkler spring approach No Yes6 Subgrade reaction modulus approach No Yes7 Number of walls No limit Up to two walls8 Changes in soil properties at any stage Yes Yes9 Groundwater flow analysis Yes Yes10 Undrained clay conditions Yes Yes11 Consolidation Yes No12 Soil property estimation tools from SPT and CPT No Yes13 Expansion and contraction effects on struts and slabs Yes Yes14 Limit equilibrium analysis methods No Yes15 Customizable reports in word and pdf Yes Yes16 Slope stability analysis Only through strength reduction approach Yes17 Soil nails and soil nail design Only as anchor elements Yes, with Clouterre recommendations18 Automatic calculation of wall stiffness No Yes19 Automatic calculation of tieback and strut stiffness No Yes

Eurocode 2, 3, 7, and 8 design methods Only EC2 can be applied but complex Automatic21 AISC, and ACI design codes No Yes22 AASHTO LRFD combinations No Yes23 Automatic structural wall optimization No Yes24 Automatic support optimization No Yes25 Warnings diagnostic No Yes

Price without technical support: Euro: 8900 = USD $11900 USD $3075Optional technical support: Euro: 950 = USD $1280 USD $400

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