Solve Geotechnical Challenges Faster
Perform advanced 2D finite element analysis of soil and rock deformation and stability. Consider ground-structure interaction, groundwater flow, heat flow, or seismic activity.
PLAXIS 2D is the most trusted tool among geotechnical engineers globally for the analysis of excavations, embankments, ground improvement measures, foundations, tunnels, and other critical structures.
Streamline your finite element analysis with PLAXIS 2D.
*Prices vary per region. For more options, see licensing and subscriptions section.
- PLAXIS 2D
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What is PLAXIS 2D?
PLAXIS 2D is a powerful and user-friendly finite-element (FE) software for 2D analysis of deformation and stability in geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics. PLAXIS is used worldwide by top engineering companies and institutions in the civil and geotechnical engineering industry. PLAXIS 2D is ideal for a range of applications from excavations, embankments, and foundations to tunneling, mining, oil and gas, and reservoir geomechanics.
PLAXIS 2D includes all the essentials to perform deformation and safety analysis for soil and rock that do not require the consideration of creep, steady state groundwater or thermal flow, consolidation analysis, or any time-dependent effects.
User-friendly, Finite Element Software
PLAXIS capabilities work together to build a powerful and intuitive finite element package for geotechnical analysis of soil, rock, and associated structures. Renowned for sound computation, PLAXIS offers a large range of material models to accurately model the behavior of various soils and rock types, which together provide realistic assessment of stresses and displacements.
Fast and Efficient, Finite Element Model Creation
PLAXIS guides users across several modes to efficiently create models with a logical geotechnical workflow. PLAXIS 2D models geometry via predefined structural element types and loading types using CAD-like drawing capabilities that lead to fast and efficient finite-element model creation.
For tunnel solutions, a designer wizard builds off quick creation and can edit tunnel cross-sections, specify reinforcements, tunnel lining, and loading conditions. The Mesh mode features automatic and manual mesh refinements, automatic generation of irregular and regular meshes, and capabilities to inspect the mesh quality.
Drive efficiency with multidiscipline workflows
Create logical geotechnical digital workflows that take projects from subsurface imports through design and analysis to various outputs.
- PLAXIS 2D Advanced
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What is PLAXIS 2D Advanced?
PLAXIS 2D Advanced includes everything that is included in PLAXIS 2D, plus it further enhances your geotechnical design capabilities with more advanced features and material models. You can consider creep, flow-deformation coupling through consolidation analysis and steady state groundwater or heat flow. It also solves your problems faster than PLAXIS 2D with the multicore solver.
- PLAXIS 2D Ultimate
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What is PLAXIS 2D Ultimate?
PLAXIS 2D Ultimate extends the capabilities of PLAXIS 2D Advanced, so you can deal with the most challenging geotechnical projects.
- Analyze the effects of vibrations in the soil, such as earthquake and traffic loads
- Simulate complex hydrological time-dependent variations of water levels, or flow functions on model or soil boundaries
- Assess the effect of transient heat flow on the hydraulic and mechanical behavior of soil
- Geotechnical Analysis 2D WorkSuite
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What is Geotechnical Analysis 2D WorkSuite?
The Geotechnical Analysis 2D WorkSuite includes PLAXIS 2D Ultimate and GeoStudio 2D Ultimate, making it the most comprehensive 2D option.
With GeoStudio 2D Ultimate, you can perform limit equilibrium slope stability analysis in soil and rock, simulate groundwater flow in various conditions, and analyze static and dynamic stress and deformation. Use the finite element results in your limit equilibrium analysis for more advanced assessments.
Learn more about GeoStudio 2D Ultimate ❯
What is PLAXIS 2D?
PLAXIS 2D is a powerful and user-friendly finite-element (FE) software for 2D analysis of deformation and stability in geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics. PLAXIS is used worldwide by top engineering companies and institutions in the civil and geotechnical engineering industry. PLAXIS 2D is ideal for a range of applications from excavations, embankments, and foundations to tunneling, mining, oil and gas, and reservoir geomechanics.
PLAXIS 2D includes all the essentials to perform deformation and safety analysis for soil and rock that do not require the consideration of creep, steady state groundwater or thermal flow, consolidation analysis, or any time-dependent effects.
User-friendly, Finite Element Software
PLAXIS capabilities work together to build a powerful and intuitive finite element package for geotechnical analysis of soil, rock, and associated structures. Renowned for sound computation, PLAXIS offers a large range of material models to accurately model the behavior of various soils and rock types, which together provide realistic assessment of stresses and displacements.
Fast and Efficient, Finite Element Model Creation
PLAXIS guides users across several modes to efficiently create models with a logical geotechnical workflow. PLAXIS 2D models geometry via predefined structural element types and loading types using CAD-like drawing capabilities that lead to fast and efficient finite-element model creation.
For tunnel solutions, a designer wizard builds off quick creation and can edit tunnel cross-sections, specify reinforcements, tunnel lining, and loading conditions. The Mesh mode features automatic and manual mesh refinements, automatic generation of irregular and regular meshes, and capabilities to inspect the mesh quality.
Drive efficiency with multidiscipline workflows
Create logical geotechnical digital workflows that take projects from subsurface imports through design and analysis to various outputs.
What is PLAXIS 2D Advanced?
PLAXIS 2D Advanced includes everything that is included in PLAXIS 2D, plus it further enhances your geotechnical design capabilities with more advanced features and material models. You can consider creep, flow-deformation coupling through consolidation analysis and steady state groundwater or heat flow. It also solves your problems faster than PLAXIS 2D with the multicore solver.
What is PLAXIS 2D Ultimate?
PLAXIS 2D Ultimate extends the capabilities of PLAXIS 2D Advanced, so you can deal with the most challenging geotechnical projects.
- Analyze the effects of vibrations in the soil, such as earthquake and traffic loads
- Simulate complex hydrological time-dependent variations of water levels, or flow functions on model or soil boundaries
- Assess the effect of transient heat flow on the hydraulic and mechanical behavior of soil
What is Geotechnical Analysis 2D WorkSuite?
The Geotechnical Analysis 2D WorkSuite includes PLAXIS 2D Ultimate and GeoStudio 2D Ultimate, making it the most comprehensive 2D option.With GeoStudio 2D Ultimate, you can perform limit equilibrium slope stability analysis in soil and rock, simulate groundwater flow in various conditions, and analyze static and dynamic stress and deformation. Use the finite element results in your limit equilibrium analysis for more advanced assessments.
Learn more about GeoStudio 2D Ultimate ❯
PLAXIS 2D
Solve Geotechnical Problems
- Fast and Efficient FE Model Creation
- Realistic Assessment of Stresses and Displacements
- Powerful and Versatile Post Processing
user Quotes
The power to collaborate with design, construction, and the owner is where PLAXIS really shines. During meetings, I can quickly respond to stakeholder requests by adjusting geometry and sharing multiple scenarios. Being able to model “on the fly” helps us avoid wasting time going back and forth on emails and phone calls.
Featured User Stories
Golder Associates
Strengthens One of the World’s Largest Subsea TBM Tunnels
Modeling with Bentley’s geotechnical applications ensured quality, safety, and a service life of 120 years.
Arup Singapore
3D Soil Simulations to Design Tower Foundation
The project team saved resource hours and avoided having to use multiple software platforms.
SAIDEL Engineering
Residential Building above Subway Tunnels
PLAXIS provided the industry model, promoting future development over West Bucharest’s tunnels.
Resources
FAQs
PLAXIS 2D is a finite-element software application used to model and analyze geotechnical problems.
PLAXIS is a computer application that performs finite element analyses (FEA) within the realm of geotechnical engineering, including deformation, stability and water flow. The name PLAXIS comes from PLastic and AXISymmetry, indicating the geometric types handled in the original code of the software application.
While a lots of PLAXIS 2D tutorials can be found on Bentley Communities, here are some FREE PLAXIS 2D learning resources available in our eStore.
By applying interface elements PLAXIS users can simulate the interaction between a structure and soil. While without an interface no relative displacement (slipping/gapping) will be possible between structure and soil.
When interface applied, node pairs will be created at the interface of structure and soil. Each node pair consists of two nodes – one belongs to the structure and the other belongs to the soil. The interaction between these two nodes consists of two elastic-perfectly plastic springs. One elastic-perfectly plastic spring to model the gap displacement and one elastic-perfectly plastic spring to model slip displacement.
If you want to receive tailored training or attend a PLAXIS 2D course that is specific to your project requirement, Bentley offers extra training and mentoring services. You can choose from tailor-made training, on-demand learning, consulting services, mentoring and more. Learn more about Expert Services here.
The cost of PLAXIS 2D, PLAXIS 2D Advanced, PLAXIS 2D Ultimate and PLAXIS 2D WorkSuite varies per region. While there are various types of licensing available, a common choice is the 12-month practitioner license offered through Bentley’s eStore. When you purchase through the eStore, you get a Virtuoso Subscription which means you get both the software AND the training, expert services, and custom mentoring you need to get started quickly.
Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company | Seequent is the subsurface software company within Bentley Systems. Together, we’re helping build a more resilient future by connecting the built world above ground with the hidden world below it. It’s easy to purchase a Virtuoso Subscription, through Bentley’s eStore, and still get the expert technical support from Seequent’s subsurface experts.
Windows 10, Windows 11
Graphics Card
Required: GPU with 256 MB OpenGL 3.3
Bentley strongly recommends avoiding simple onboard graphics chips in favor of a discrete GPU from the nVidia GeForce or Quadro range with at least 128-bit bus and 1 GB of RAM, or equivalent solution from ATI/AMD.
Processor
Required: Dual Core CPU, Recommended: Quad Core CPU
Memory
Recommended for 2D: minimum 4 GB. Large projects may require more.
Hard Disk
Minimum 2 GB free space on the partition where the WindowsTEMP directory resides, and 2 GB free space on the partition where projects are saved. Large projects may require significantly more space on both partitions.
For best performance, ensure that the TEMP directory and the project directory reside on the same partition.
Video
Required: 1024 x 768 pixels, 32-bit color palette, Recommended: 1920 x 1080 pixels, 32-bit color palette
For the most up-to-date system requirements, visit Bentley Communities.
