Phase

Faster, easier, more powerful than ever.

8.0

Phase 8.0
Its faster, easier and more powerful than ever.
Phase2 8.0 is an important upgrade which will benefit advanced users and beginners alike. This article summarizes the major new features of version 8.0 including: 1. 2. 3. 4. 64 bit multi-core parallel processing Probabilistic analysis using the point estimate method Discrete strength function Customized mesh regions 5. Many other additions and improvements

64-bit, Multi-core Parallel Processing

Phase2 8.0 is the first Rocscience program available as a 64-bit version, and is built for Intel 64 microprocessor architectures. Intel 64 is the most popular 64-bit microprocessor architecture among Windows users that run 64-bit versions of the Windows operating system. For Phase2 users, this new 64-bit version means that they can run much larger models with many more degrees of freedom than ever possible with the 32-bit version of the program.

Figure 1 Kersten lecture model, reinforced tunnel beneath excavated slope

With larger models, the computation time needed to solve the problem increases multifold. Phase2 8.0 is designed to use all processor cores available in the system to accelerate computation and speed up analysis. Using state-of-the-art multi-threading techniques, Phase2 8.0 users can expect a 2, 3, or 4+ fold faster computation time commensurate with the number of cores on the system. With multi-core processors being common place today, Phase2 8.0 optimizes its use of the systems resources to quickly provide users with solutions. Underneath the hood, Phase2 8.0 has undergone significant improvements to boost its overall scalability and performance. In terms of complex models with joint networks and advanced mesh generation, Phase2 8.0 is now even more efficient so users can rapidly create detailed models and denser meshes in much less time, using much less memory. This, combined with 64-bit processors and parallel processing, enables Phase2 8.0 users to create, mesh, compute and analyze much larger models much faster than previously possible while having the same ease-of-use that Phase2 is known for. An example of the improved performance of Phase2 8.0 64-bit is summarized in Table 1 using Example 1: Kersten Lecture (without liners).
Number of DOFs V7 V8 51190 56464 174986 176918 n/a 1254369 Meshing Time (s) V7 V8 50 5 546 15 n/a 95 Compute Time (s) V7 V8 347 65 1994 334 n/a 5617

Table 1: Comparison of meshing and compute times of Phase2 7.0 32-bit versus Phase2 8.0 64bit using Example 1. Machine specs: Intel Xeon CPU E5520, 2 processors, 4 cores each, 24 GB RAM. For more information about 64-bit versus 32 bit computing, click here to read another article published in an earlier Rocscience newsletter, during the preliminary development period of Phase2 8.0.

Probabilistic Analysis
Probabilistic finite element analysis has become a practical possibility in recent years due to the tremendous advances in processor speed and data storage capability. As a first step in this direction, Phase2 8.0 offers probabilistic analysis using the point estimate method. For the point estimate method, random variable distributions are represented by two point estimates at plus / minus one standard deviation from the mean. For n random variables the analysis is repeated for all possible combinations of point estimates, which gives 2^n solutions. Assuming normal distributions for all input random variables, the mean and standard deviation of the analysis results can be determined. The point estimate method has proven to be a very useful method of obtaining statistical analysis results with very simple input data. At present, random variables may include material properties, joint properties and field stress (additional variables may be considered in future). Figure 2 illustrates the definition of random variables for a material with Hoek-Brown strength parameters. Note that only the mean and standard deviation are required for each variable.

Figure 2 input dialog for material property statistics

In the Phase2 Interpret program, you can view the mean and standard deviation of analysis results (e.g. displacements, stresses) in the form of contour plots on the model. You can also view error plots of data along any material query (e.g. the minimum and maximum displacement values along a boundary), and you can view statistical shading of yield zones. These are illustrated in Figure 3 on the following page.

Figure 3 statistical analysis results displayed in Phase2 Interpret

Probabilistic analysis can be used in conjunction with SSR slope stability to determine a probability of failure for a slope model. Preliminary testing indicates that results are consistent with limit equilibrium probabilistic analysis results produced by the Rocscience slope stability program Slide. For further information, the following tutorials will be very helpful. In the first example, a tunnel is analyzed with three random variables and analysis results are discussed. Phase2 Tutorial # 31 Probabilistic Analysis The second example demonstrates how to carry out a probabilistic slope stability analysis using SSR analysis and the point estimate method. Results are compared with Slide. Phase2 Tutorial # 32 Probabilistic Slope Stability Analysis

Discrete Strength Function

The Discrete Strength Function option in Phase2 8.0 allows you to define Mohr-Coulomb shear strength parameters (cohesion, friction angle) at a grid of discrete points within a material. The shear strength for each finite element is interpolated from the data at the grid points. This allows you to define any type of strength distribution within a material (e.g. linear, non-linear, random). Elastic modulus can also be defined at each grid point, and randomization can be applied to the values of strength or modulus by defining a statistical distribution for each parameter.

Figure 4 discrete strength function input dialog

Figure 5 randomize option for discrete strength function parameters

For example, the following model shows a random distribution of soil cohesion for a bearing capacity problem, generated by the discrete strength function option. Random strength distributions can be used to simulate materials with heterogeneous properties.

Figure 6 random distribution of cohesion generated by discrete strength function

Customized mesh regions

Ease of mesh generation and the ability to customize the mesh has always been a hallmark of Phase2. In Phase2 8.0, an important new capability has been added to the mesh customization options: it is now possible to define regions of uniform mesh density within a graded mesh. This allows you to create a dense uniform mesh in critical areas of the model (e.g. around excavations), while maintaining a graded mesh outside of these regions. This combines the advantages of uniform and graded meshing - you can easily maximize the mesh density where it is needed, while keeping the overall number of elements low.

Figure 7 Mesh setup dialog and application of customized mesh region

Custom mesh regions can be selected with a single mouse click (any closed region of the model) or you can click and drag a rectangle over any area of the model. In either case, Phase2 will create a uniform mesh with a user-defined average element length in the selected region. This new feature has been successfully used in preliminary studies of brittle spalling around excavations, where fine meshes are required in order to capture the material behaviour. For further information, please see the following Developers Tip. Advanced Mesh Regions

Additional new features and improvements

Additional new features you will find in Phase2 8.0 include: Greatly improved speed of file saving and loading for large models Improved mesh quality for models with large joint networks due to application of geometry cleanup Much faster meshing, file saving and loading for models with large joint networks Ability to define residual (post-peak) properties for: Youngs modulus, tensile strength and joint strength Display of property tables for bolts, liners, joints, composite liners

For a complete listing of Whats New in Phase2 8.0 click here.

Summary
With new 64-bit and multi-core parallel processing, Phase2 8.0 is capable of solving much larger and more complex models in less time than ever before. The version 8 upgrade is highly recommended for advanced Phase2 users who require state-of-the-art modeling features and maximum computational power. The many new features and improvements in version 8 will be appreciated by both new and experienced users alike. For a free evaluation copy contact us at software@rocscience.com.