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GeoStudio

What's New


 

GeoStudio 2023.1

Requires maintenance through March 2023.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2023.1



Download GeoStudio 2023.1

 

 

 

Introducing SLOPE3D

 

Leapfrog Interoperability for Geometry Definition

 

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Set up the 3D geometry using Leapfrog geological models given the direct interoperability between Leapfrog and GeoStudio. Alternatively, import background meshes from a file, or build the domain using the 3D geometry creation tools available in GeoStudio.

 

Efficiently Define Slip Surfaces

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Analyse potential failure zones with global (Cuckoo) and local (Entry and Exit) slip surface search methods. The Cuckoo slip surface search method provides time-savings when setting up a 3D stability analysis. This automatic search algorithm is useful for identifying areas of concern in large, complex systems. The Entry and Exit slip surface definition provides the same intuitive workflow as 2D, with the ability to collapse the grids to lines or points.

Analyse Soil and Rock Slopes

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The comprehensive material model library can be used to capture the shear strength characteristics of rock and soil, including materials with faults, discontinuities, and bedding planes.

 

Evaluate the Influence of Weak Layers

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Investigate the influence of weak layers and anisotropic material properties on the 3D factor of safety by importing a background mesh to define weak planes in SLOPE3D.

 

Investigate Pore Water Pressure Effects

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Define pore water pressures using Ru, B-bar, or import a background mesh to represent the piezometric surface. When the 3D domain is created using the GeoStudio, pore water pressures from a 3D finite element seepage analysis (SEEP3D) can be used when computing the 3D stability.

 

Interrogate Slip Surface Results

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Use multiple methods for interpreting the 3D stability results, including plotting graphs (e.g. factor of safety over sliding direction) and contouring sliding mass data such as shear strength, shear mobilized, or effective normal stress. Alternatively, inspect the slip surface search zone and modes of failure using the Colour Map functionality.

 

Easily Compare 2D and 3D Stability Results

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Include 2D and 3D stability analyses in a single project file for quick results comparison. Alternatively, include multiple 3D geometries in one project to easily compare various scenarios.

 

Additional 3D Geometry Tools

 

Import OBJ Geological Model Volumes

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Quickly generate the analysis geometry using external packages, other than Leapfrog, by importing clean, meshed geological model outputs in the OBJ file format.

 

Enhanced Heat Transfer Analysis

 

Updated Material Model

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The simplified thermal material model implementation in TEMP/W and TEMP3D has been improved to better accommodate the change in properties during freezing/thawing conditions.

GeoStudio 2022.1

Requires maintenance through October 2022.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2022.1



Download GeoStudio 2022.1

 

 

Geotechnical workflows are smoother than ever with the newly released GeoStudio 2022.1! This release includes key features and functionality to improve the 3D modelling experience and enhance slope stability analysis through SLOPE/W.

Licensing is more flexible than ever. With this release, GeoStudio supports three licensing types, enables easy transitions between Licensing Systems, and is now available to Bentley enterprise accounts via E365.

 

Enhanced 3D Workflow

 

BUILD3D Embedded in GeoStudio Window

 

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The 3D geometry creation application is now present in the main GeoStudio window, simplifying the 3D workflow. This improvement brings 3D modelling in GeoStudio closer to the 2D experience.

 

Quick Material Assignment with Geological Model Volumes

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GeoStudio provides the ability to import Leapfrog Geological Model Volumes from Seequent Central into a 3D geometry. These Geological Model Volumes can be used to assign materials to existing 3D parametric geometry objects. This workflow makes it easy to map complex geologies to analysis geometry, removing the need to create complex parametric surfaces to capture stratigraphic boundaries.

Common Commands Added to BUILD3D

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The undo and redo commands are now available for creating and modifying 3D geometries.

 

Import 3D Piezometric Surfaces

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Piezometric surfaces can be imported using the Import Background Mesh command in BUILD3D. An imported piezometric surface can be used to define initial pore water pressure conditions in a SEEP3D analysis.

 

SLOPE/W Improvements

 

Cuckoo Search Technique Now Available

 

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The Cuckoo Search method can be used to search for circular slip surfaces in SLOPE/W. This search method is an unbiased attempt at locating the critical slip surface. It is beneficial for identifying the critical mode of failure in complex geology and/or large domains. This search method can also identify portions of the domain where additional analysis is required.

 

Improved Compound Strength Material Model

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Planar geological features are defined by dip and dip direction. The Compound Strength material model originally required the user to enter a start and end angle which bound the dip of the plane. The improved Compound Strength model now allows for the direct entry of the dip angle and two ranges around the dip, in which the strength is linearly interpolated between the joint and intact material. The other key change is that the intact material is selected from the existing materials list and only the discontinuities must be defined in the joint parameters table.

 

New License Selection Workflow

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GeoStudio now supports three licensing types: (1) legacy FlexNet licenses; (2) Seequent ID licenses; and (3) Bentley Connect licenses for E365 customers. A License System selection tool allows GeoStudio users to select the desired License System or to easily move from one License System to another.

 

Additional Online Resources

Free Online BUILD3D Course

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A new BUILD3D course is available in the Seequent Learning Portal for those looking to set up 3D geometries and analyses in GeoStudio. The course covers the methods for importing various geometry file types, creating and modifying 3D geometry items, defining the 3D mesh, and interpreting 3D results.

 

Slope Stability Verification Manual

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The Slope Stability Verification Manual comprises dozens of analyses testing various features of stability analysis and compares the simulated results with published studies and analytical solutions.

 

Additional GeoStudio Example Files

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The Compound Strength demonstration project and accompanying document have been updated to reflect changes to the Compound Strength material model. A new 3D FLOW example simulates chemical volatilization of trichloroethylene from a shallow contaminated groundwater table into cracks in the basement of an overlying 3D building.

 

 

 

GeoStudio 2021.4

Requires maintenance through December 2021.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2021.4



Download GeoStudio 2021.4

 

 

GeoStudio 2021.4 continues our journey to a digital twin with greater interoperability between Leapfrog geological modelling and GeoStudio geotechnical analysis.

 

 

Integrate 2D centric geotechnical analysis with sections from your 3D geological model with the new multiple section workflow. Capitalise on new data and interpretations made in Leapfrog with dynamic updating of cross-sections and geotechnical analyses in GeoStudio.

Immerse yourself in 3D with the new GeoStudio 3D FLOW. 3D FLOW couples all new CTRAN3D and AIR3D analyses with those from SEEP3D and TEMP3D for even more flexibility in environmental modelling.

Combine GeoStudio FLOW with the new 3D FLOW to take 2D analyses into 3D.

Expand the classes of problems that can be analyzed with SIGMA/W using the new Soft Soil Cap material model and improved SANICLAY model.

 

Multiple Section Workflow

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Integrate the 2D centric workflow of a typical geotechnical analysis with multiple geo referenced sections generated from a 3D geological model. BUILD3D delivers the power to import multiple 2D sections in a single click to create multiple numerical 2D analyses which can be dynamically updated and re-solved if the sections have been refreshed due to new data or interpretation.

Interoperability with Leapfrog via Seequent Central

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Expanding on the 3D mesh interoperability between GeoStudio and Leapfrog products via the online collaboration tool, Seequent Central, BUILD3D can now connect to Central and import multiple geotechnical 2D sections that have been generated from a Leapfrog geological model and published to Central.

GeoStudio 3D FLOW

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GeoStudio 3D FLOW combines the all new CTRAN3D and AIR3D with SEEP3D and TEMP3D. Immerse yourself in 3D simulation of real-world problems in environmental protection, groundwater flow and ground freezing. Simulate a large range of solute and gas transport problems with new CTRAN3D analysis using the familiar workflow and project definition of CTRAN/W. Simulate 3D advective gas and heat transfer by combining AIR3D with CTRAN3D.

SIGMA/W Material Models

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The introduction of the Soft Soil Cap material model into SIGMA/W expands the classes of problems that can be analyzed involving normally-consolidated soils.

Improvements to the SANICLAY model mean the failure state is no longer a function of anisotropy.

BUILD3D Improvements

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All new UI\IX improvements - visualise the quality of the fitted surface as a colour coded distance from input data elevations to surface geometry.

New transformation option - automatically adjust the base point to a surface’s minimum extents when of an importeding surface used as a background mesh.

New Task Manager option - review errors generated during meshing and easily identify geometry problems.

 

GeoStudio 2021.3

Requires maintenance through June 2021.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2021.3

Updated SLOPE/W Material Models


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The Hoek Brown shear-normal estimation routine in SLOPE/W has been replaced by a Hoek-Brown material model. The Hoek Brown input parameters (mb, s, and a) can be defined directly or estimated from the rock parameters and disturbance (mi, GSI, and D). A dynamically updated graph allows for visualization of the function as parameters are modified.

Compound Strength chart, histogram

The Compound Strength model is defined by specifying ranges of slice base angles and associating a strength material model with each range. The model is particularly useful for representing jointed rock mass where the strength model for the intact rock is dramatically different from that used to represent the discontinuities. For example, a Hoek Brown model could be used to represent the strength of the intact rock, while a conventional Mohr-Coulomb model could be used for the joints.

SLOPE/W Solver Improvements

The SLOPE/W solver now implements an under-relaxation technique to improve convergence for trial slip surfaces that are subject to concentrated point loads. One of the most common use cases that benefits from the new under-relaxation technique involves steeply dipping anchors that are part of a tie-back wall.

New SIGMA/W Material Models

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The simple anisotropic clay plasticity model (SANICLAY) simulates softening response under undrained compression following Ko consolidation. It allows for the simulation of both undrained and drained rate‐independent behavior of normally consolidated and over-consolidated clays to a satisfactory degree of accuracy. SANICLAY is beneficial for analyzing geotechnical structures constructed on soft clays such as levees, embankments, and dykes.

Hardening Soil Model text

The Hardening Soil material model can be used to analyze the behavior of granular, fine grained, and even soft soils. The model can be parameterized using standard laboratory and field tests or empirical formulas. It can be used to simulate strain hardening, dilatancy variations with straining, and nonlinear pre-failure stiffness variations. The Hardening Soil model has been proven particularly useful for problems involving excavations into over-consolidated soils.

Improved NorSand Model Definition

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The NorSand material model now includes the option to define the initial density using either the void ratio or the new initial state parameter. This improvement makes it possible to easily simulate increasing or constant density with depth. A customizable built-in function has been added, which allows the dependence of the shear modulus on the void ratio to be defined for the material model. The resulting mobilized strength as soils approach their critical state can also now be visualized via new result parameters in the Draw Contours and Draw Graph windows.

Add-ins Available in SIGMA/W

Add-in constitutive models have been reenabled in SIGMA/W. The add-in interface has been simplified and the functionality has been improved in two key respects: 1) state parameters can be saved and persisted through time and from one analysis to another; and, 2) plastic states can be set in the add-in and painted in the UI to track the evolution of yield and failure zones.

Land-Climate Interaction Actual Evaporation Definition Updated

The Land-Climate Interaction boundary condition now provides the option to allow for evaporation during rainfall events. This option can lead to reduced deep infiltration in arid and semi-arid climates.

New Vapour Density Definition in SEEP/W

Changes in vapour density now account for changes in saturated vapour pressure with respect to temperature.

Seequent ID Licensing Support

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Seequent ID support is now available which gives access to cloud-based licensing options, as well as additional GeoStudio resources available on MySeequent. New GeoStudio learning modules are available through Seequent Learning, giving access to GeoStudio courses that can be completed at your own pace.

Additional Interoperability with Leapfrog via Central

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Directly connect to a Leapfrog Geological Model through Central to import mesh-based topographic or lithology contact surfaces into BUILD3D to use as background geometry or for parametric surface fitting. Import all mesh-based surfaces from a Geological Model at once or add one surface at a time. Changes to the Geological Model surfaces can be reloaded into your BUILD3D project, which will automatically update your 3D geometry to incorporate the updated geology.

BUILD3D Improved Parametric Surface Fitting

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Import triangle- and quad-mesh-based surfaces from Central, DXF/DWG, or STL and use a powerful new parametric surface fitting feature that efficiently fits surfaces to large datasets. Multiple surface meshes can be imported simultaneously. The parametric surface fitting feature can also be used to create surfaces from imported point cloud data.

BUILD3D Improved Transformations for Importing/Exporting

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Imported meshes and NURBS-based geometry generally need to be rotated, scaled, or translated to conform to the BUILD3D model coordinate system and units. A simple, new transformation tool provides the ability to swap coordinate axes; for example, such that the positive y-axis points upwards. The tool also allows for the translation from a distant datum to a local origin. Transformation settings can be named and reused when importing additional data from the same source location. When exporting surface meshes and STEP file geometry from BUILD3D, the inverse of a named transformation can be applied so the exported BUILD3D model will be transformed to the original coordinate system.

 

GeoStudio 2021 R2

Requires maintenance through January 2021.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2021 R2

NorSand Material Model in SIGMA/W

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The NorSand material model can be used to analyze tailings storage facilities, reinforced earth, and many other classes of geotechnical problems. In keeping with other Critical State Soil Models, the NorSand material model links the stress-strain response of a soil to the void ratio. The NorSand model is able to properly capture the drained and undrained response of loose and dense soils, including liquefaction.

Field Stress Definition Method for In Situ SIGMA/W Analyses

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The stress-strain response of a rock mass is often governed by the In Situ stresses produced by a complex geological history. Characterization of these stresses is therefore important for many classes of problems, such as open pit excavations, underground excavations, and tunnelling. Field stresses can now be defined in SIGMA/W as part of an In Situ analysis.

BUIL3D Interoperability Expanded

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Improvements were made to importing and exporting in BUILD3D. Imported DXF and DWG files have improved editing capabilities, such that the imported geometry can be easily scaled, translated, or rotated. In addition, surface meshes can now be imported or exported in the DXF file format.

Improved Viewing and Exporting of 3D Results

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In hydrogeology studies and cold-region engineering problems, isosurface plots are often required to display groundwater drawdown or depth to freezing in both space and time. BUILD3D now provides the ability to export 3D results from nodal values, such as total head or temperature, or from an isosurface, a geometric object, or the ground surface. This information can be used to build high quality 3D isosurface plots using 3rd party products. In addition, BUILD3D now shows the graph locations in 3D, assisting with results interpretation.

SLOPE/W Reinforcement Libraries Expanded

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The manufacturer reinforcement options in SLOPE/W were expanded to include additional products from Huesker and Tensar. Reinforcement products for the Huesker Fortrac® MDT Geogrids (according to EBGEO 2010 and ISO/TR 20432) and the Tensar RE Geogrids (Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe) have been added to the previously available reinforcement libraries. These products were added in partnership with Huesker and Tensar to ensure accurate representation of their products.

Performance Improvements

Optimization to the SIGMA/W and SEEP/W solvers yields analysis times that are up to 3X faster for consolidation analyses.

 

GeoStudio 2021

Requires maintenance through August 2020.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2021

New SIGMA/W Formulation

A completely reformulated version of SIGMA/W is available in GeoStudio 2021. The SIGMA/W solver was upgraded to the GeoStudio Solver Engine that was already available in the GeoStudio flow products. This solver has faster performance, better convergence, and multi-physics integration. The new convergence schemes, combined with a new stress-update algorithm, allow for the analysis of material non-linearity that was previously not possible.

Additional In Situ Analysis Method Available in SIGMA/W

SIGMA/W now has two In Situ analysis methods: (1) Gravity Activation, which was previously available; and (2) the K0 Procedure. The K0 Procedure requires that all materials applied to the domain have a valid K0 value. All material models now include a K0 Procedure tab that allows for specification or calculation of the at-rest earth pressure coefficient. The relationship used to calculate the at-rest earth pressure coefficient depends on whether the soil model has a friction angle or over-consolidation ratio defined, enabling the simulation of a range of stress histories.

SIGMA/W Load-Deformation Formulation Includes Pore-Water Pressure Changes

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SIGMA/W now incorporates pore-water pressure changes in load-deformation analyses, given the definition of the initial and final pore-water pressure conditions. This functionality assists with analyses in which changes in pore water pressure cause complications during construction, but the hydraulic properties are not well known, for example, in deep excavation projects. In addition, SIGMA/W is now capable of analyzing submerged fill placement in load-deformation analyses, by detecting the presence of ponding at the ground surface and ensuring that the gravity activation procedure uses the correct soil unit weight.

SIGMA/W Consoliation Formulation Updated for Greater Rigour

 

Load-Deformation2 The new SIGMA/W consolidation analysis formulation can handle complex hydro-mechanical coupling in both saturated and unsaturated soils. The consolidation formulation considers the bulk modulus of the pore-fluid, making it possible to simulate fully undrained responses without numerical issues. Convergence settings are now uniquely defined for stress-strain and water flow analyses. Thus, consolidation analyses can evaluate complicated flow systems with the same rigour as SEEP/W.

 

Strength Reduction Stability Added to SIGMA/W

 

Load-Deformation2 SIGMA/W now offers Strength Reduction Stability, allowing for the assessment of the safety factor without having to pre-suppose the shape of the slip surface. Deformation patterns are naturally revealed and soil-structure interactions are rigorously and intuitively handled.

 

SIGMA/W Material Model Library Expanded Substantially

 

Load-Deformation2 The SIGMA/W material model library has been significantly enhanced and improved, making it possible to model new classes of problems such as excavations in jointed rock, construction of embankments on foundations that undergo strain hardening or softening, and the undrained behaviour of low conductivity soils. New material models include Hardening/Softening Mohr-Coulomb, Tresca, Hardening/Softening Tresca, Ubiquitous Joint, and Hoek-Brown material models. The previous Mohr-Coulomb model now includes a tension cut-off option and a non-linear elasticity option was added to all material models except Anisotropic Elastic.

 

Material Response Types Updated in SIGMA/W

Undrained and drained response types can be combined in a load-deformation analysis, making it possible, for example, to simulate a free draining material overlying a fully undrained material. In consolidation analyses, the response type is ignored as all materials are assumed to be consolidating. However, a material option was added to designate a material with 'no change in water pressures due to volumetric strain', allowing for the simulation of groundwater flow through all materials in the domain, while ensuring that some materials do not respond to loading/unloading. Finally, undrained behaviour is now simulated using effective stress stiffness properties instead of total stress stiffness properties.

Impervious Structures Added to SIGMA/W, SEEP/W, TEMP/W, CTRAN/W, and AIR/W

The ability to simulate an impervious structure has been added, making it easy to model structures that impede the flow of heat or mass. This new feature removes the need to use interface elements with low conductivity and/or null elements adjacent to geotechnical structures.

Huesker and TenCate Reinforcement Libraries Now Available

 

Load-Deformation2 The manufacturer reinforcement options in SLOPE/W were expanded to include Huesker and TenCate. Easily define reinforcement representing Huesker Fortrac® T Geogrids and TenCate MiraGrids. The corresponding Tensile Capacity and Overall Reduction Factor are automatically defined given the selection of the manufacturer reinforcement model. This functionality was developed in partnership with Huesker and TenCate to ensure accurate representation of their products.

 

Import Functionality Expanded in BUILD3D

Importing features in BUILD3D have been expanded to include the ability to import IGES files. AutoCAD models constructed with curves, surfaces, or solids can be imported directly into BUILD3D in the IGES format. In addition, STL meshes are now imported as background geometry in BUILD3D, allowing for the creation of profiles and swept lines on a construction plane while simultaneously snapping to the background mesh. This approach provides a very fast method to construct simplified, clean models of overly complex, overly sampled, or poorly meshed 3D domains, for example from LIDAR scans or Civil3D meshed surfaces.

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BUILD3D 2D Section Creation Upgraded

The new plan section tool allows for the creation of sections while in plan view, with infinite and finite length lines. Finite lines can be drawn to create a section through only a portion of the domain, while infinite lines automatically cut through your entire model domain. Lines can be constrained so they are perpendicular to existing features on the plan view, allowing for straight-forward creation of 2D cross-sections along defined features like a road cut or open pit face.

BUILD3D Definition and Results View Improvements

 

Load-Deformation2 Many improvements were made to the view features in BUILD3D including persisting camera views and clipping planes in Results View, and the addition of a rotation cube with animation as the cube is rotated. In Results View, BUILD3D now includes the ability to display potentiometric surfaces with elevation contours.

 

DXF/DWG Import Functionality Expanded

Enhancements to the importing geometry functionality were completed to allow for the conversion of closed loops from DXF and DWG files into regions in GeoStudio. This is common for DXF files exported from Maptek Vulcan geological modelling software.

Manufacturer Reinforcement View Improvements

Properties of manufacturer reinforcements are now displayed in View Object Information and in reports.

 

GeoStudio 2020

Requires maintenance through November 2019.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2020

New TEMP3D Analysis

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TEMP3D can be added to TEMP/W to unlock three-dimensional heat transfer analysis. TEMP3D provides the tools to set up models using the same workflow as TEMP/W analyses, and quickly create simple 3D geometries, as it comes with basic 3D model construction tools. The properties window provides easy material and boundary condition definition, the finite element mesh is generated with a single click, and users can easily interpret the three-dimensional results with contours, 3D vectors, iso-surfaces and graphs.

TEMP3D allows for the analysis of a large range of heat transfer problems, including the impact of infrastructure on permafrost, the design of active and passive mitigation methods, the design of artificial ground freezing systems, and the effects of climate change on geotechnical structures. Integration with BUILD3D allows for the creation of complex three-dimensional geometries.

Maccaferri S.p.A Reinforcement Library Now Available

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The Maccaferri S.p.A reinforcement library has been added to SLOPE/W. Choose from a variety of product lines including Paralink GeoGrid, ParaGrid, ParaDrain GeoGrid, ParaWeb GeoGrid, and Terramesh. Over fifty product models are available. Select from a range of operating conditions including temperature, design life and pH. Given these specifications, the Tensile Capacity and Overall Reduction Factor are automatically defined. This functionality was developed in partnership with Maccaferri S.p.A to ensure accurate representation of their products.

Tensar Corporation Reinforcement Library Now Available

The Tensar Corporation UX Geogrid library is also available in SLOPE/W. The Tensile Capacity and Overall Reduction Factor are automatically defined based on selections for design life and backfill soil classification. The pullout coefficient is automatically populated and the interface shear angle is calculated based on the internal friction angle of the soil structure. This functionality was developed in partnership with Tensar Corporation to ensure accurate representation of their products.

 

Context Menu Added to Project Explorer

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A context menu was added to the Project Explorer such that common commands can be easily accessed by right-clicking on an item in the list. These commands include Queue for Solve, Verify Analysis Branch, Add Geometry or Add Analysis, Delete, and Rename.

Export Functionality Expanded for Greater Integration

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When a 2D geometry has 3D spatial information because it was a cross-section from BUILD3D or because it was imported from a DXF or DWG file, GeoStudio keeps the real world transformation information when exporting to a TIFF file format. This allows for better integration with programs like Leapfrog and AutoCAD, as the file can be directly imported into these programs with the correct three-dimensional location. In addition, display units are now used in GeoStudio for file import and export.

BUILD3D Enhancements

The 3D viewport was upgraded so materials and boundary conditions update when modified in the main GeoStudio window, and to allow for faster switching between analyses. The BUILD3D tool dialogues, toolbars, and icons were also updated.

3D Mesh Definition Expanded

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Three-dimensional mesh constraints are now allowed on points for improved mesh refinement.

Reinforcement Tables

Reinforcement tables may be displayed in the main GeoStudio window.

 

GeoStudio 2019 R2

Requires maintenance through July 2019.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in SEEP3D

New SEEP3D Analysis

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SEEP3D can now be added to SEEP/W to unlock the power of three-dimensional groundwater flow analysis. SEEP3D provides the ability to simulate small-scale and large-scale three-dimensional groundwater flow problems, with the same workflow and project definition as typical SEEP/W analyses. Integration with BUILD3D allows for the creation of complex geometry, including highly variable stratigraphy and topography.

Integration with SLOPE/W is also available, making it possible to analyze the stability of multiple two-dimensional cross-sections generated from a single 3D groundwater flow model. The multiple geometry functionality of GeoStudio 2019 R2 accommodates both 2D and 3D analyses within the same project file, with the defined materials and boundary conditions available in both dimensions.

New BUILD3D Geometry Tool

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BUILD3D is a new, feature-based 3D geometry creation tool available in the GeoStudio product suite. BUILD3D can be used to create three-dimensional geometries that can be used with GeoStudio’s new SEEP3D analysis. BUILD3D allows for quick construction and meshing of three-dimensional geotechnical models, with complex topography, geology, and other engineering design conditions, using the intuitive suite of sketch tools. Two-dimensional geometries or CAD-generated STEP/STL files can be imported to define the three-dimensional geometry using BUILD3D.

Improvements to Multiple Geometries Support

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Improvements have been made to multiple geometry support, by providing a simplified process for adding new geometries to a single project file. Geometry types can now be added via the Define Project dialog by selecting the desired dimension for the new geometry prior to creating the analysis. Geometry dimensions can also be added to the project from the Start Page.

Geometry View

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A geometry can now be created and edited prior to adding an analysis to the Analysis Tree. Material assignment can be done directly in the Geometry View. Analyses subsequently created under the geometry will automatically adopt the materials defined in the associated geometry. Moreover, CAD files can be imported directly into the Geometry View.

Slip Surface Highlighting

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Line segments for the slip surface definition are now highlighted in SLOPE/W to better indicate which input is being modified.

 

GeoStudio 2019

Requires maintenance through December 2018.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2019

Improved reinforcement load definition

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The method for defining reinforcement loads in GeoStudio 2019 has been improved. Reinforcements (such as anchors, soil nails, piles, etc.) can now be defined separately from the reinforcement geometry. The Define Reinforcements dialog box has been added and has been organized to better reflect natural work flow.

Improvements to drawing and defining individual reinforcements

Reinforcement lines can be drawn and modified in separate Draw Reinforcement Lines and Define Reinforcement Lines commands. Reinforcement lines can now be snapped to the ground surface line, so that the lines move with the ground surface if the geometry is modified.

Reinforcement sets added

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A Reinforcement Sets dialog box has been added to GeoStudio 2019. The Draw Reinforcement Sets and Define Reinforcement Sets windows can be used to add, modify, or delete multiple reinforcement lines that share the same reinforcement properties. A single reinforcement type defined in Define Reinforcements can be applied to all lines within the reinforcement set using a single dropdown box. The spacing between reinforcement lines within a set can be based on a specified spacing between reinforcements or a specified number of reinforcements along the set range. Reinforcement sets can also snap to the ground surface line, so that all lines will remain on the ground surface if the geometry is modified.

Multiple geometries now supported

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GeoStudio 2019 can now support multiple geometries within a single file. The geometry for separate analyses branches can be modified to account for changes in geometry, such as varying slope face angles, material depth, cross-section location, etc. without the need to create multiple files. This allows the materials and boundary conditions used in each analysis branch to be shared across the file, so that modifications to material or boundary condition property will only need to be changed once for all geometries within the same GeoStudio file.

Import DWG/DXF improved

The Import feature has been improved. The Import dialog box now allows materials to be imported with the regions. An option to simplify a complex geometry that is being imported has also been added to reduce the number of points along region interfaces. The coordinates of the imported geometry can be translated to start at local horizontal and/or vertical coordinates of zero in the GeoStudio file. When exporting the regions from GeoStudio 2019, each region geometry and material are now exported as layers, as well with the layer color.

Sketch pictures improved

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The Sketch Pictures dialog box has been improved to include similar features as the other Sketch dialog boxes that were updated in GeoStudio 2018. GeoStudio 2019 now has the option to embed the pictures into the GeoStudio file. This allows the file to be moved or shared without the need to update the picture file location, as the picture will be saved within the GeoStudio file.

Sketch text improved

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Sketch Text in GeoStudio 2019 can now be used to add borders, background colors, and anchor alignment to text objects on the drawing. The Sketch Table commands have also been improved to include these features.

64-bit now available

Handle larger analyses on 64-bit operating systems. The entire GeoStudio application is now 64-bit. (A 32-bit installer is available for older 32-bit operating systems.).

 

 

GeoStudio 2018 R2

Requires maintenance through May 2018.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2018 R2

Use a full license with a free basic license in a single project file

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GeoStudio 2018 R2 allows a GeoStudio project to contain analyses with different license entitlements within the same file. GeoStudio 2018 already includes free basic editions of all GeoStudio products with the purchase of any product or bundle. Now, analyses created with a basic license can be included in the same file as full license analyses, unlocking the power of integration. For example, customers with a full SLOPE/W license can create a steady-state water transfer analysis using a free basic SEEP/W license. The pore-water pressure conditions from the seepage analysis can be used in the stability analysis, and both analyses may be present in the same project file.

 

User-defined reinforcement

diagram

The new user-defined reinforcements in SLOPE/W provide a flexible option for modeling a wide range of structures, including anchors or nails with plate capacity, end-anchored reinforcement, and pile reinforcement with spatially variable shear resistance. A function is used to define the relationship between the force (capacity) and distance from the slope face to the intersection with the slip surface.

 

Analysis tree cloning

graphical user interface, text, application

The analysis cloning functionality was expanded such that entire branches of the analysis tree may be cloned. Links between the analyses within a branch are preserved when the branch is cloned. Entire branches of analyses can also be deleted, if necessary.

 

Dimension sketch tools

plot New dimension tools have been added as a part of the sketch tools, including aligned, linear, and angular dimension tools. The dimensions can lock to geometric objects, such as points or lines, and automatically resize if changes are made to the domain.

 

Ortho-Snapping

Drawing modes, such as Draw Regions, Draw Lines, and so on, now provide the option to snap to an angle in 90 degree increments (e.g., horizontal or vertical) by holding the Shift key while drawing.

 

Additional SLOPE/W graphing options

chart, histogram A number of new graphs have been added to SLOPE/W for probabilistic analysis or slip surface optimization. The mean Factor of Safety (FOS), minimum FOS, standard deviation, and probability of failure can be plotted against run number to ensure adequate Monte Carlo sample size. Similarly, a plot of FOS versus optimization iteration number can be used to ensure convergence of the optimization algorithm.

 

Sketch table

plot A Sketch Table command was added to provide the straightforward creation of tables for displaying information regarding materials or boundary conditions applied to the domain.

 

Sketch tools dialog box

text New dialog boxes for sketch objects allow for the selection and modification of sketch objects. Sketch properties, such as line thickness, length, angle, color, and more can be modified in the new sketch objects dialog box while drawing or by selecting a previously-sketched object.

 

Improved memory performance

Improvements were made to the memory consumption required by GeoStudio 2018 when viewing contours and other results. The performance of project files with multiple chained analyses, in particular, has been improved to better utilize memory.

 

AutoCAD 2019

GeoStudio 2018 now supports importing DWG or DXF files created by AutoCAD 2018 or 2019.

 

Font size flexibility

graphical user interface, application Separate font sizes are now available for dimensions, axis numbers, and axis labels.

 

Flux section graphs

plot Subdomain graphing was improved to allow a cross-section to be drawn through the domain, similar to a flux section, over which flow may be plotted. Files containing flux sections created by previous versions of GeoStudio automatically have a subdomain graph for each flux section when upgraded to GeoStudio 2018.

 

VADOSE/W file upgrade

necklace Significant improvements were made to the upgrade process for converting VADOSE/W files to the new multi-physics format of GeoStudio 2018. For example, the original climate data table is converted to the new climate function format, where each parameter is defined as a function of time.

 

Expanded Add-In functionality

graphical user interface, application The Add-In functionality was expanded such that Add-Ins may call another function defined within the project file.

 

 

GeoStudio 2018

Requires maintenance through August 2017.
Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2018

Improved multi-physics capabilities

graphical user interface, text, application A new, rigorous multi-physics solver offers improved coupling of mass and heat transfer processes with the ability to simulate multiple physical processes in a single analysis. An analysis can simultaneously compute and/or couple water transfer, air transfer, solute transfer, gas transfer, and heat transfer processes. For example, instead of setting up two analyses for modeling forced convection (SEEP/W and TEMP/W), a SEEP/W analysis may be created with the heat transfer physics and ‘Forced convection with water transfer’ options selected. Similarly, for advection-diffusion solute transport, a SEEP/W analysis may be created with the solute transfer physics and ‘Advection-dispersion with water transfer’ options selected.

 

The new Physics tab in the Define Analyses window provides easy definition of the physical processes included in each analysis. The new solver includes enhanced density-dependent flow formulations for mass and heat movement. Coupled density-dependent water and heat, water and solute or air and heat transfer processes (to name a few) are available and may be easily specified in the Physics tab in the Define Analyses window. Water compressibility was also added to the new SEEP/W formulation.

 

This solver offers faster run times and extends the functionality of the mass and heat transfer products. This functionality improves the ability to simulate climate effects on the ground surface, groundwater flow in freezing and thawing soils, and the movement of solutes and gases in the subsurface.

New climate-interaction boundary conditions

graphical user interface, application New boundary conditions are available in SEEP/W and TEMP/W to simulate atmospheric coupling. In SEEP/W, the Land-Climate Interaction boundary condition simulates water transfers at the surface given climate and vegetation data; while in TEMP/W, the Surface Energy Balance boundary condition simulates energy exchange over the ground surface. The soil cover modeling examples demonstrate the use of these boundary conditions to simulate the hydraulic and thermal responses of the ground profile to atmospheric conditions.

SLOPE/W SHANSEP improved functionality

necklace The SHANSEP material model now includes the ability to specify a function for shear strength vs. vertical effective stress or to use the closed-form SHANSEP equation to calculate shear strength. In the Define Materials window, when the SHANSEP material model is selected, there are three options for defining shear strength: (1) constant; (2) function; and (3) calculated. When the function option is selected, the shear stress as a function of vertical effective stress is easily defined in the function definition dialogue by importing a data set, by copying and pasting data points into the dataset table, or by directly entering the data points. The calculation option uses a closed-form equation to determine the undrained shear strength. This equation requires a ratio of the undrained strength to vertical effective stress for the normally compressed state, an exponent controlling non-linearity, and a function for the over consolidation ratio with depth. This new functionality can be used to capture the undrained strength variability in geological deposits with complex stress history.

Additional partial factor analysis support

chart, histogram For Eurocode or other partial factor analyses, ‘Factor of Safety’ is now the ‘Over Design Factor’ and users may display the ‘Degree of Utilization’.

Amalgamation of VADOSE/W into the GeoStudio suite

The previous VADOSE/W product functionality is significantly enhanced and is available as a new GeoStudio Vadose bundle comprised of SEEP/W, TEMP/W and CTRAN/W. The new multi-physics analysis functionality eliminates the need for VADOSE/W as a stand-alone product.

New dataset import feature

graphical user interface, text A new dataset import dialog is available to assist in setting up data-intensive functions like those required by the Land-Climate Interaction and Surface Energy Balance boundary conditions. The dataset import window allows for easy selection of data files containing field measurements (e.g., from weather stations), including the ability to specify which columns to import, the data defined by each column, and the associated units. Each dataset is automatically converted into the appropriate model units during the import process.

Enhanced AIR/W formulation with new material model and boundary condition

graphical user interface, application AIR/W has been completely re-formulated and can now be run as a stand-alone product for single phase air transfer, given the new single phase material model. A new barometric pressure AIR/W boundary condition determines air pressure at the applied nodes, based on the temperature and pressure at a reference elevation.

Improved CTRAN/W capacity

CTRAN/W can be run as a stand-alone product with the new diffusion-only analysis type. In addition, gas transfer physics are now available in CTRAN/W, such that the movement of both dissolved solutes and free gases, and the associated reaction processes, may be analyzed. Consequently, CTRAN/W may be used to simulate gas movement through an unsaturated mine cover or gas and solute transport through fractured rock.

Improved thermosyphon and convective surface boundary conditions

The thermosyphon and convective surface boundary conditions in TEMP/W have a more rigorous and numerically stable implementation.

Automated head vs. volume boundary condition

luggage & bags An automated head versus volume boundary condition is available, where the total head within a catchment is established based on the cumulative volume of recharge or discharge into the catchment and the topography of the ground surface line. This automatic function works for both filling and draining scenarios.

True 1D modeling

The finite element flow products now include an analysis dimension option, allowing for both one-dimensional and two-dimensional simulations simulations in the same GeoStudio project. A one-dimensional analysis generally solves faster and is useful for a broad range of heat and mass transfer problems.

Improved particle tracking

skirt Particle tracking is now available in SEEP/W and AIR/W to evaluate the typical pathways for water and air movement in porous media. In addition to observing water and air flow pathways, this allows users to evaluate the movement of solutes or gases without conducting full a mass transport analysis.

Updated plan view definition

Spatial functions are now used to define aquifer thickness throughout a Plan view domain. Previously aquifer thickness was defined by two planes; thus, this new functionality allows for aquifers with great spatial variability in thickness.

Comprehensive unit functionality

graphical user interface, table GeoStudio now offers considerable flexibility for defining the viewable units. In addition to changing the base units for the entire project (e.g., length, time), the derived units for any parameter can be changed effortlessly by typing the units or using the right-click context. Existing data is automatically converted to the new viewable unit.

Enhanced graphing capabilities

plot Graphs are now computed during solve time, allowing for rapid graph rendering. The improved Draw Graph functionality provides the ability to plot results associated with subdomains. Subdomain plots can provide insight on flow through an internal node over time; consequently, flux sections are no longer required.

Faster 64-bit solvers with large mesh support and improved parallel processing

Each solver in GeoStudio 2018 has improved multi-threading and new 64-bit processing support. The solver will use multiple cores to solve many analyses simultaneously, taking advantage of the latest CPUs. The 64-bit support enables GeoStudio to now solve projects with many more analyses and denser meshes. The 64-bit solvers also solve individual analyses faster, including analyses with dense meshes or Add-In functions.

Updated Solve Manager

The Solve Manager has been modified such that when the solver is stopped mid-computation, it can be restarted without having to start solving from the beginning again.

Additional time definition options

graphical user interface, table Multiple options are now available for defining time increments in transient analyses; the time increment length or the number of time steps over the given period may be specified.

Integration of time-based boundary conditions

Time-based mass, volume, and energy boundary conditions such as water rate, heat flux, and mass flux are now integrated across a time-step, ensuring perfect mass and energy conservation at the boundary and improving overall accuracy of the solution.

GeoStudio Basic now bundled with all products

Purchasing a Full Feature license for any product will now provide access to a Basic license for all other GeoStudio products. This licensing change provides greater product integration. For example, the owner of a full SLOPE/W license will now be able to complete a steady-state water transfer analysis using SEEP/W to define the spatial variability in pore water pressures.

Virtual machine compatibility

GeoStudio may now be run in a virtual machine, extending the usability of the software.

German translation

In addition to English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Brazilian Portuguese, GeoStudio 2018 is also available in German.

New examples and a new engineering book

Additional examples are available representing a wider range of geotechnical and earth science problems. The updated engineering book for heat and mass transfer using SEEP/W, TEMP/W, AIR/W, and CTRAN/W reflects the new features and functionality of GeoStudio 2018.

Bug fixes and other improvements

See the GeoStudio 2018 Release Notes for a list of the bug fixes and other improvements made since the GeoStudio 2016 release.


GeoStudio 2016

Requires maintenance through August 2016. Read the full release notes.

New Features in GeoStudio 2016

New Page Layout view in all products

chart GeoStudio now offers a Page Layout view for improved presentation of models and results. After setting up an analysis, you can switch to the Page Layout view and specify the page size and orientation for printing. The model can be displayed in Page Layout view at any scale, and the scale can be added to the page as dynamic text. Pictures, text, and lines can be sketched in Page Layout, independent of the analysis currently in view. The Page Layout configuration can be saved as a template or an existing Page Layout configuration can be imported into the current file for consistent presentation of model results in multiple project files.

Enhanced Model view in all products

chart, line chart Model View is now an infinite space, so the page and problem extents no longer need to be defined. You can simply jump to any coordinate in model space by using the coordinate prompt in the status bar, and start drawing the model domain. Grid lines and colored reference lines through the origin are displayed to assist with visualization. The new ‘Pan’ functionality (hand icon in the status bar) allows you to easily move around the model space. The status bar displays the current scale when zooming in and out. The reference scale, which is the scale that font sizes are based on, can be modified in Set - Units and Scale.

Improved printing capabilities

GeoStudio now offers the ability to print multiple analyses at once. You may also print directly from the new Page Layout view. Print Preview lets you see what will be printed before sending the job to the printer.

Assign properties across a set of analyses

Material properties and boundary conditions can be assigned to multiple analyses at once using the new ‘Apply to multiple analyses’ dropdown in the Draw Materials and Draw Boundary Conditions windows. Any set of analyses may be selected. By right-clicking the analysis list, a menu appears allowing quick selection or deselection of multiple analyses. When the material property or boundary condition is drawn, it will be added to all of the selected analyses at once, eliminating the need to do similar assignments in individual analyses. This function is also able to assign beams and bars to multiple stress analyses. graphical user interface, text, application, email graphical user interface, text, application graphical user interface, text, application, email

Replace properties in multiple SLOPE/W analyses

graphical user interface, text Properties or objects from one SLOPE/W analysis can be easily replaced in multiple SLOPE/W analyses using the new ‘Replace in Analyses’ feature under the KeyIn menu. You can quickly apply modifications of one analysis to other SLOPE/W analyses in the project file.

Enhanced material property table

plot The material property table formatting has been improved to include colors, borders, and better column alignment.

Improved sketch functionality

graphical user interface, application The new ‘Modify Sketch Properties’ command allows you to modify the properties of text, lines, dimension, circles and arcs after they are defined. In the Modify Sketch window, you can specify the properties of an object and whether the object is only displayed in the current analysis.

Portuguese Edition

graphical user interface, application, Word GeoStudio is now available in Brazilian Portuguese in addition to English, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Free 30-Day Trial

All the features of GeoStudio 2016 can be used free for 30 days by requesting a trial license. Many other improvements have been made, including bug fixes. See the GeoStudio 2016 Release Notes for more information.


August 2015

Requires maintenance through August 2015. Read the full release notes.

 

New Features in GeoStudio 2012 - August 2015 Release

New Partial Factor support in SLOPE/W

plot GeoStudio now offers full support for Partial Factor Analysis in SLOPE/W. This improvement will allow the ultimate limit state to be analyzed in accordance with limit state design approaches, including Eurocode 7, Norwegian Standard 3480, and British Standard 8006. Factors can be applied to actions, material properties (i.e. soil strength parameters), and resistances used by the limit state analysis. The calculated factor of safety should be interpreted as an “over-design” factor.

New Region definition options

Draw floating or overlapping regions, split/join existing regions, and import regions from AutoCAD DWG and GeoStudio files

The Draw Region command now includes a Floating Polygon Region option that allows you to choose the shape of a mesh opening or floating region if a circle is not desired. The Draw Region command has also been improved to allow region-over-region drawing. This allows you to create overlapping regions on a previously drawn domain. The new region will automatically cut into the previous region with points added at the intersection locations.

graphical user interface, application Other features that have been added to improve the drawing capabilities in GeoStudio include the ability to split or merge regions. This improvement allows you to split regions within the model domain, for example, to increase the number of soil layers. The Merge Regions command can then be used to merge multiple regions into a single region. This can be useful when importing regions from AutoCAD DXF or DWG files or other GeoStudio GSZ files.

New SLOPE/W Slip Surface visualization options

In the Results View of the SLOPE/W product, some new features and improvements have been added to help visualize the slope stability solution. A new Draw Slip Surface Color Map window has been added to the Results View. The Safety Map has been improved so that it now features the Factor of Safety contours indicating the levels of Factor of Safety. You as a user can now also view all slip surfaces in the slip surface window with contour shading related to the resulting Factor of Safety value. A legend showing the range of these contours can also be added to the background window for visualization purposes. These contours can be added to the grid of the Grid and Radius model. The contours can be changed similar to the Draw Contours options, with the range entered manually or automatically.

packaged goods Filter options have been added to the Slip Surfaces window, allowing you to view only valid slip surfaces, only invalid slip surfaces, only a specified number of slip surfaces with the lowest Factor of Safety results, or simply those slip surfaces within a range of Factor of Safety values. All slip surfaces chosen in the Slip Surfaces window can have the contour coloring discussed above.

Another new feature in the SLOPE/W product is the Select Slip Surface command. This command allows you to choose a slip surface using your mouse. Slip surfaces can be chosen via the grid when conducting a Grid and Radius model or simply by clicking on a slip surface that is currently viewed on the drawing page in Results View. New tooltip information is also available while using the Select Slip Surface command, which includes the coordinate information, slip surface number and Factor of Safety result.

Sketch Dimensions on the Drawing

triangle Another new feature available in all GeoStudio products is the ability to add dimensional objects to the drawing page. By choosing Sketch Dimensions, the length of the drawn section will be added to the drawing as a visualization tool by simply clicking on the beginning and end point of interest and dragging the dimension object above or below the line. You can also choose the colour of the dimension drawing and text by changing the colour prior to drawing the dimensional object.

Use the Keyboard to Enter Coordinates While Drawing Objects

graphical user interface, text, application Coordinates can now be entered using your keyboard while any drawing command is active. This Keyboard Input option allows you to enter Point coordinates using the x-y coordinates, length and angle input, offset lengths in the x-y directions, or simply the Point numbers. A new tooltip has also been added that displays this information while drawing points using drawing commands, such as Draw Regions. CTRL-Z or CTRL-Y, or the Undo and Redo buttons, can also be used during drawing commands to undo or redo the creation of Points, Lines or Regions.

Apply Materials Across all Analyses

All GeoStudio products have a new user-interface in the Draw Materials window. The new “Apply to All Analyses” option enables you to apply a material to all analyses in the Analysis Tree. This means that a material can be applied to the same region in all analyses with a single click when this option is active.

New Material Legend

chart, line chart When the Draw Materials window is opened, you can now add a Material Legend to indicate the materials applied to the model domain for visualization purposes. This option can be used to indicate the material types used in the analysis without crowding the model domain.

Support for Windows 10

graphical user interface This release is officially supported on Windows 10.

Geostudio Preview Update

  • A new Gas Transfer formulation has been added to CTRAN/W in GeoStudio Preview when coupled with air or water transfer analyses to model processes such as consumption via oxidation, biodegradation, or hydrolysis.
  • GeoStudio Preview now includes Vapor Transfer analyses (isothermal and thermal) for SEEP/W and the Forced Convection with Vapor Transfer analysis for TEMP/W.
  • All remaining products have also been brought forward from GeoStudio 2012 into the GeoStudio Preview user-interface. (SLOPE/W, SIGMA/W, and QUAKE/W)

Many other improvements have been made, including bug fixes. See the August 2015 Release Notes for more information.


December 2014

Requires maintenance through December 2014.

Read the full release notes.

SLOPE/W features and improvements

plot

  • SLOPE/W now offers a new nonlinear search algorithm to reduce the number of non-converged slip surfaces. Improved slip surface filtering in the Solver also reduces the number of inadmissible slip surfaces.
  • SLOPE/W now includes the option of doing staged undrained strength seismic analysis using a procedure proposed by Duncan, Wright and Wong (1990).
  • The 3-stage rapid drawdown feature in SLOPE/W can now be used to model free drainage materials by setting the R Envelope parameters to equal the material's Cohesion and Phi values. In addition, the computed undrained strengths now more closely match published results. Examples are available that illustrate the comparison of SLOPE/W analyses to the results obtained by Duncan, Wright and Wong (1990).

 

Performance and other improvements

  • Performance improvements include faster, smoother rendering and improved GeoStudio performance when working with large data files.
  • Workflow improvements - It is easier to switch between analyses or time steps without losing your train of thought, as many dialogs (such as Draw Graph) will now stay active as you make changes outside of them.
  • Improvements have been made to importing DXF files, including the ability to import DXFs containing 3D planar cross-sections.

Geostudio now supports French

graphical user interface, application GeoStudio now includes a new French user interface, and improvements have been made to the Spanish interface. When installing GeoStudio, you can now select your preferred language or change it later using Edit Options.

Geostudio Preview Update

  • This Preview adds support for single phase AIR/W air transfer analyses, diffusion-only CTRAN/W analyses, and particle tracking in any analysis with water or air flow.
  • Additional multi-physics analysis options have also been included, such as modeling forced heat convection with flowing air and water or modeling density-driven groundwater flow due to spatial variations in concentration or temperature.

Many other functional and performance improvements have been made, including bug fixes. See the December 2014 Release Notes for more information.


May 2014

Requires maintenance through May 2014.

Read the full release notes.

Geostudio Improvements

  • Improvements have been made to the finite element Solver, making it faster on multi-core processors and improving GeoStudio responsiveness while solving.
  • GeoStudio now fully supports Unicode text throughout the product, including in file names.
  • Improvements to DXF importing and File Export. Nnow allows exporting as GIF, PNG, JPEG, and other image formats.

Support for Windows 8.1

housing This release is officially supported on Windows 8.1.

Geostudio Preview Update

This Preview adds a new saturated-unsaturated SEEP/W formulation and support for multi-physics analyses, such as heat advection with flowing water.

This release includes many changes that increase stability and improve performance in all GeoStudio products. See the May 2014 Release Notes for more information.


September 2013

Requires maintenance through September 2013.

Read the full release notes.

Use Parent Slip Surfaces in SLOPE/W

graphical user interface, text, application, email A SLOPE/W analysis can now obtain its slip surfaces from its parent's saved slip surfaces (the top ten most critical, for example). This feature can be helpful when doing sensitivity or probabilistic analyses in which the analyses can be done only on the saved critical slip surfaces rather than on every slip surface.

GeoStudio Improvements

  • Time-based boundary functions that can be "cycled" were sometimes difficult to use. Now they include a "period" parameter to control how long the cycled period is, and they no longer project "backward" in time.
  • It is now easier to share GeoStudio files with people running earlier versions of GeoStudio. The File Export as Previous Version command now supports saving files in earlier GeoStudio 2012 formats (from before November 2012).
  • Legends showing contour or safety map color ranges can now be added to the drawing.
  • Sorting - Lists of objects (e.g., Materials) are now sorted by the name. You can change sorting by clicking on a column header.
  • Images – Pictures can be imported and exported using common picture formats such as JPEG, GIF, PNG, etc.

Many other functional and performance improvements have been made, including bug fixes. See the September 2013 Release Notes for more information.


June 2013

Requires maintenance through June 2013.

Read the full release notes.

Geostudios now supports Spanish

graphical user interface, application GeoStudio now includes a Spanish user interface.

GeoStudio Improvements

  • Solve times have been improved for all types of analyses, particularly on newer computers with multi-core processors.
  • GeoStudio files (.gsz) are now more integrated with Windows Explorer, allowing you to search for words in the file, view thumbnails and previews, and get detailed information about file properties.
  • Graphs can now be generated over multiple time steps, to see how data changes over time.

Introducing Geostudio Preview

graphical user interface, application, Word The Preview release contains features that will ship in a future release of GeoStudio. This first Preview offers significant improvements to TEMP/W, including a new Land-Climate Interaction boundary condition, improved thermosyphon and convective surface boundary conditions, and support for 1D analyses. See the Tutorial Videos for GeoStudio Preview for an introduction to 1D analyses and other GeoStudio Preview features.

Many other functional and performance improvements have been made, including bug fixes. See the June 2013 Release Notes for more information.


November 2012

Requires maintenance through November 2012.

Read the full release notes.

SLOPE/W new features and improvements

graphical user interface, chart

  • SLOPE/W material models have been improved. The Hoek-Brown shear strength function estimation algorithm was improved to produce a better function at low confining stresses. The Shear-Normal strength function no longer requires a positive slope; equivalent C and Phi values are computed to represent the specific strength at any effective normal stress at the base of a slice. See the Hoek-Brown tutorial video to see how to use this function.
  • Probabilistic and sensitivity analysis can now be performed on most material models and pore-water pressure parameters, including B-bar and Ru. See the James Bay Case example for an example showing a Probability analysis on material properties.

 

Hyperbolic Material Model added to SIGMA/W

SIGMA/W now includes the hyperbolic material model (Duncan et al., 1980). This model considers the bulk modulus (B) as constant while the elastic modulus (E) varies according to a hyperbolic relationship, resulting in non-linear volumetric and stress response. See the Hyperbolic Triaxial example to illustrate the use of this material model.

Geostudios now supports Simplified Chinese

graphical user interface, application GeoStudio 2012 now includes a Simplified Chinese user interface.

Support for Windows 8

housing This release is officially supported on Windows 8.

GeoStudio Improvements

  • GeoStudio data files can now be larger than 2GB, allowing you to include more analyses and time steps in a single file.
  • GeoStudio item lists (such as in the Solve Manager, KeyIn Materials, and Slip Surfaces window) now support full keyboard controls and improved support of custom column widths.
  • License installation and management has been improved setup, both on the desktop and on license servers.

Many other functional and performance improvements have been made, including bug fixes. See the Release Notes for November 2012, October 2012, July 2012 and May 2012 for more information on each release.


March 2012: Initial GeoStudio 2012 Release

Requires maintenance through March 2012.
Read the full release notes.

Improved Solvers

graphical user interface, application Each Solver has been directly integrated into GeoStudio via a new Solver Manager window. This lets you monitor the progress of the Solvers without leaving the GeoStudio environment.

Each analysis is verified automatically before solving, and any errors are reported immediately. While solving, you can see the solution status of each analysis, check the analyses that you wish to solve, and stop the Solver. Errors encountered by the Solver are reported in the window.

Solver speed has been improved for all products, particularly when you solve multiple analyses simultaneously. The SLOPE/W Solver has been totally revamped to taking advantage of modern multi-core processors. This results in significant speed increases, particularly for probabilistic and Newmark analyses.

Improved Convergence

The finite element convergence schemes have been improved, allowing for faster solve times and more reliable convergence that is easier to understand. Improved under-relaxation schemes allow you to obtain solutions for highly non-linear problems. The review boundary process has also been improved, frequently reducing the number of review loops required.

You can monitor the convergence history directly in Results view after each time step has completed by plotting the number of unconverged nodes for each iteration or time step.

Improved Modeling Environment

graphical user interface, application, Word New docking windows in GeoStudio 2012 allow you to view information in multiple views so you can quickly access the data you need. You can customize the display of docking windows to suit your particular needs. A new status bar provides both view information and quick access to commands such as zooming, and a progress bar during lengthy operations such as solving.

Watch a video showing the new docking window support in GeoStudio:

Docking windows include an Analysis Explorer, Solve Manager, Result Times, Slip Surfaces, and Sensitivity Runs.

  • The Analysis Explorer displays a tree view of the analyses in the project, allowing you to quickly change the analysis you are viewing.
  • The Solve Manager allows you to solve one or more analyses and watch their progress even while continuing to work on another analysis.
  • The Result Times window displays a list of time steps that have computed results. When you select a time step, all currently displayed views and dialog boxes show the results computed for the selected time.
  • The Slip Surfaces window displays a list of SLOPE/W computed trial slip surfaces. When you select a slip surface, the Results view will show the complete slip surface results. If detailed results are unavailable, GeoStudio will compute them on-demand, allowing you to view detailed forces or graphs on any particular slip surface without having to designate it as a "critical" slip surface.
  • The Sensitivity Runs window displays a list of runs performed for a sensitivity analysis. Each sensitivity run is now a complete slope stability analysis, allowing you to view all computed slip surface results for each individual run.

Improved Viewing of Results

graphical user interface, text, application Results are now automatically displayed when you start solving a GeoStudio problem. Graphing results over time can be done as soon as each time step is computed, without waiting for the Solver to finish. These graphs can also now be generated as much as 20 times faster than in previous versions, and additional SLOPE/W graphs have been added.

SLOPE/W results can now include computed finite element data. For example, you can show the critical slip surface on top of pore-water pressure contours, stress contours, or the liquefaction zone. You can also show color gradients when plotting factor of safety contours over the grid of slip surface centers.

Improved Probabilistic and Sensitivity Analyses

a group of red and blue wires SLOPE/W Probabilistic analyses can now be done on every trial slip surface, resulting in an improved understanding of the overall risk of failure. Likewise, each sensitivity run can be analyzed in detail, allowing you to view all slip surface information for all sensitivity runs.

Both probabilistic and sensitivity parameters are applied separately for each analysis, allowing you to set up multiple scenarios within the same project. You can apply probability or sensitivity to any pore-water pressure option, not only piezometric lines.

Improved Licensing and Delivery

graphical user interface, text, application GeoStudio 2012 is now being delivered to you completely electronically, without any physical packaging. This eliminates your shipping costs, speeds up and simplifies the purchasing process, and is more eco-friendly! All GeoStudio resources, including engineering books, are digitized and available online. Full-color printed books can be ordered separately as required.

Stand-alone licenses no longer require a hardware dongle attached to your computer; you simply activate your computer to use your GeoStudio license. To use your GeoStudio license on a different computer, you can transfer your activation to that computer.

Network licenses are now controlled using a new license server with a web-based monitoring interface. Network licenses can be "re-hosted" onto new server hardware using an included activation utility.

Automate GeoStudio with GeoCmd

text GeoCmd is a new command-line utility that makes it more convenient to work with large numbers of data files. You can automate GeoStudio to solve, upgrade, or generate reports for many project files sequentially.

Save Files in GeoStudio 2012 or 2007 Format

Files created in GeoStudio 2012 can be saved as GeoStudio 2007 files, allowing you to continue working with other members of your team who have not yet upgraded.

Windows® 8 Compatible

mailbox GeoStudio 2012 has been tested to meet all of the technical requirements to be Windows 8 Compatible. It will also run on Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

Additional Enhancements

Many other improvements have been made in GeoStudio 2012, including:

  • SLOPE/W results are now stored in standard CSV files, making it easier to import results into a spreadsheet for further analysis.
  • SLOPE/W analyses now focus on a single method, making it easier to navigate results. The GLE method is now directly incorporated into the Spencer and Morgenstern-Price methods, allowing you to display factor of safety verses lambda plots for these methods to understand convergence.
  • SLOPE/W Reinforcement properties have been changed to match industry-standard nomenclature.
  • SLOPE/W now contains a "High Strength" material model, making it easier to model impenetrable structures such as concrete retaining walls.
  • You can now specify the SLOPE/W residual water content directly; previously, it was assumed to be 10%.
  • Meshing improvements result in better element shapes, especially in complex regions.
  • GeoStudio takes less time to start; several key commands and dialog boxes also have speed improvements.
  • GeoStudio Add-Ins now support Microsoft .NET 4.0 and Visual Studio 2010.
  • Sketch lines can now be shown in color.
  • Sketch axis label coordinates are now shown as actual values, not with "x 1000" labels.

Bug Fixes

Many bug fixes have been made throughout all products to improve performance and stability.