# \#tips **URL:** https://forum.itascainternational.com/tag/tips/3.md [Latest](https://forum.itascainternational.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.itascainternational.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.itascainternational.com/tags.md) --- ## [What is the impact of having tetrahedra in a FLAC3D mesh](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/what-is-the-impact-of-having-tetrahedra-in-a-flac3d-mesh/2371)
**Author:** [@stephaneBeaussier](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/stephaneBeaussier)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2026, 8:00am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/what-is-the-impact-of-having-tetrahedra-in-a-flac3d-mesh/2371 "2026-06-03T08:00:59Z")
Hi, I am having a challenge with a mesh in FLAC3D 9.4 I generated in Griddle 3.0. I am solving a creep problem with a relatively complex geometry which led Griddle to generate quiet a lot of pyramid (~14% of zones) and… --- ## [Applying Time-Varying Non-Uniform Surface Pressure in FLAC3D](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/applying-time-varying-non-uniform-surface-pressure-in-flac3d/2390)
**Author:** [@Sudipta](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/Sudipta)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/applying-time-varying-non-uniform-surface-pressure-in-flac3d/2390 "2026-06-02T17:18:27Z")
Hello everyone and Itasca support team, @itascaYang @isaac @itsmoho\_sen @ITE @Inwoo @Inu @itmam @itasca @dafo407\_itasca @dblanksma I am trying to apply a time-varying non-uniform distributed pressure on a surface in FL… --- ## [Questions About Fully Coupled Flow–Mechanical Analysis and Solution-Control Parameters in FLAC3D](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/questions-about-fully-coupled-flow-mechanical-analysis-and-solution-control-parameters-in-flac3d/2389)
**Author:** [@Sudipta](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/Sudipta)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2026, 3:48pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/questions-about-fully-coupled-flow-mechanical-analysis-and-solution-control-parameters-in-flac3d/2389 "2026-06-01T15:48:49Z")
Hello @everyone, @itascaYang @isaac @itsmoho\_sen @ITE @Inwoo @Inu @itasca @dafo407\_itasca @itascan I am planning to perform a fully coupled flow–mechanical analysis in FLAC3D. My current understanding of the command seq… --- ## [Guidance on Introducing Fluid, Biot Coupling, and Water Table for Mechanical Pore Pressure Generation in FLAC3D](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/guidance-on-introducing-fluid-biot-coupling-and-water-table-for-mechanical-pore-pressure-generation-in-flac3d/2388)
**Author:** [@Sudipta](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/Sudipta)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2026, 2:55am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/guidance-on-introducing-fluid-biot-coupling-and-water-table-for-mechanical-pore-pressure-generation-in-flac3d/2388 "2026-05-29T02:55:47Z")
Hello @everyone, @itascan @itascaYang @itasca @dafo407\_itasca @itsmoho\_sen @isaac I am trying to introduce fluid behavior and Biot coupling in a FLAC3D model so that pore pressure can be generated when external loading … --- ## [Boundary conditions for soil block](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/boundary-conditions-for-soil-block/2379)
**Author:** [@William](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/William)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/boundary-conditions-for-soil-block/2379 "2026-04-22T16:08:15Z")
Hello I am currently working with the automatic remeshing feature in FLAC2D. I want to model a soil block and allow it to fail towards the left. However, I am unsure how to properly define boundary conditions in the … --- ## [Difficulty with staged embankment construction using Modified Cam Clay in FLAC3D (yield envelope error)](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/difficulty-with-staged-embankment-construction-using-modified-cam-clay-in-flac3d-yield-envelope-error/2376)
**Author:** [@Adams](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/Adams)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2026, 7:48pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/difficulty-with-staged-embankment-construction-using-modified-cam-clay-in-flac3d-yield-envelope-error/2376 "2026-04-21T19:48:14Z")
I am attempting to simulate a compacted highway embankment in FLAC3D following the general framework for unsaturated hydro-mechanical behavior of compacted fill. My workflow involves staged construction of the embankment… --- ## [Output contour values via profile](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/output-contour-values-via-profile/799)
**Author:** [@jwang](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/jwang)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2026, 3:46pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/output-contour-values-via-profile/799 "2026-02-19T15:46:01Z")
A simple way is creating a profile (Plot-\>profile), select the item to create(e.g. xdisp ) and draw a line along the top surface, and then create a profile, in the profile window, right click on the plot, press ‘view dat… --- ## [Triaxial testing](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/triaxial-testing/2164)
**Author:** [@Mujeeb](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/Mujeeb)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2025, 10:05am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/triaxial-testing/2164 "2025-10-24T10:05:46Z")
I’m trying to replicate a drained triaxial compression test in PFC using rigid walls. The experimental loading was applied at a constant displacement rate of 0.1 mm/min, and the specimen height is 100 mm. Since the strai… --- ## [Cannot apply Barton - Bandis model in latest UDEC version](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/cannot-apply-barton-bandis-model-in-latest-udec-version/2248)
**Author:** [@MichaelK](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/MichaelK)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2025, 12:21pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/cannot-apply-barton-bandis-model-in-latest-udec-version/2248 "2025-10-23T12:21:18Z")
Greetings, I am facing trouble on applying the Barton – Bandis model in UDEC 7 latest version (105). First of all I had trouble on assigning the B-B model in certain set of Joints. I would get the following message: “… --- ## [Load rate controlled UCT](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/load-rate-controlled-uct/2250)
**Author:** [@EdgarO31](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/EdgarO31)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/load-rate-controlled-uct/2250 "2025-10-16T15:40:43Z")
Hello, I am trying to model an unconfined compression test on a mortar cube to replicate to what I got from my lab test, which followed the ASTM procedure (a load rate controlled test, instead of strain controlled). I h… --- ## [Hybrid bolt-Dowel element storage structures](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/hybrid-bolt-dowel-element-storage-structures/2247)
**Author:** [@SohG](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/SohG)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 3:33pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/hybrid-bolt-dowel-element-storage-structures/2247 "2025-10-07T15:33:37Z")
Hi, I am modeling a rock slope in 3dec using the topography of the site. When I define Hybrid bolts from geometry (lines), I get the following error, (dowel element storage structures) and while running I get an error th… --- ## [Simulating tunnel in landslide](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/simulating-tunnel-in-landslide/2019)
**Author:** [@PietroF](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/PietroF)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/simulating-tunnel-in-landslide/2019 "2025-06-05T15:41:01Z")
Hi everyone! I have modeled a landslide in FLAC3D. I am trying to reproduce the stress state in a small portion (a box) of the landslide body, inside which a tunnel is located, in order to deepen the analysis on the con… --- ## [Visualize direction of weakness](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/visualize-direction-of-weakness/2070)
**Author:** [@JuDi](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/JuDi)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2025, 6:45am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/visualize-direction-of-weakness/2070 "2025-05-09T06:45:16Z")
Is it possible to visualize the direction of weakness in a plot when applying the ubiquitous-joint model? I help myself currently with visualizing a cutting plane. but are the dip direction and dip convention of cutting… --- ## [Setting up a steady-state pwp from rainfall](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/setting-up-a-steady-state-pwp-from-rainfall/2003)
**Author:** [@Felipe](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/Felipe)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2025, 11:17am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/setting-up-a-steady-state-pwp-from-rainfall/2003 "2025-03-28T11:17:40Z")
Hey guys, I want to obtain a steady-state pwp contours from net discharge. I’ve never done this type of simulation before, so I’m totally lost. My code below is error free (syntax) but when I run the model, the flow rati… --- ## [Optimize Substep values](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/optimize-substep-values/1995)
**Author:** [@sowmyaramanis](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/sowmyaramanis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/optimize-substep-values/1995 "2025-04-15T19:54:05Z")
In consolidation analysis, how to choose the substep values for mech and fluid? --- ## [Compute discharge through an internal zone](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/compute-discharge-through-an-internal-zone/2015)
**Author:** [@stephaneBeaussier](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/stephaneBeaussier)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/compute-discharge-through-an-internal-zone/2015 "2025-04-15T18:54:25Z")
Hi, I want to compute the fluid flow through an internal limit in the model. For example the flow that pass a certain given depth. Therefore the computation can be on zones or gridpoint depending of what is the simples… --- ## [Change Properties in joints using ID](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/change-properties-in-joints-using-id/2032)
**Author:** [@MichaelK](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/MichaelK)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2025, 8:08am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/change-properties-in-joints-using-id/2032 "2025-04-08T08:08:05Z")
Greetings to all, I would like help with the following (if possible..): Back in UDEC 6 when you built the model with the “crack” command you could set an ID to each crack. This way you could easily use these cracks wit… --- ## [HELP NEEDED: uniaxial and triaxial test](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/help-needed-uniaxial-and-triaxial-test/1787)
**Author:** [@apo16](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/apo16)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/help-needed-uniaxial-and-triaxial-test/1787 "2025-03-26T15:27:34Z")
I am working on the example of “Genesis and Testing of a Soft-Bonded Material”. The goal is to obtain a strength value from the uniaxial test, and a few triaxial tests to calculate cohesion and friction angle to be used … --- ## [Is there a way to easily vizualize variable boundary conditions in FLAC3D](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-easily-vizualize-variable-boundary-conditions-in-flac3d/1986)
**Author:** [@stephaneBeaussier](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/stephaneBeaussier)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2025, 12:49pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-easily-vizualize-variable-boundary-conditions-in-flac3d/1986 "2025-03-12T12:49:03Z")
I am apply variable boundary conditions in space. For instance a stress-normal that increase with depth such as the following command: zone face apply stress-normal 0 gradient (0, 0, -1.2e4) Is there a way to easily vi… --- ## [P2Psand undrained hollow cylinder cyclic torsional test](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/p2psand-undrained-hollow-cylinder-cyclic-torsional-test/1970)
**Author:** [@abarrero](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/abarrero)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/p2psand-undrained-hollow-cylinder-cyclic-torsional-test/1970 "2025-03-06T16:55:15Z")
Hi FLAC 3D, I’m attempting to replicate the results of Cheng and Detournay (2021) on undrained hollow cylinder cyclic torsional tests on Toyoura Sand, with a relative density $\\D\_r=48%$ and an effective confining pressu… --- ## [Export your split workspace plots as a single bitmap](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/export-your-split-workspace-plots-as-a-single-bitmap/1861)
**Author:** [@ddegagne](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/ddegagne)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2025, 3:59am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/export-your-split-workspace-plots-as-a-single-bitmap/1861 "2025-02-23T03:59:16Z")
You can export all your arrayed split screen plots a single bitmap (PNG) by right-clicking on any plot, selecting Export, and then the Workspace to bitmap … option. You can specify the image size. --- ## [Question about timestep solver option for creep problem](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/question-about-timestep-solver-option-for-creep-problem/1952)
**Author:** [@stephaneBeaussier](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/stephaneBeaussier)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2025, 10:22am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/question-about-timestep-solver-option-for-creep-problem/1952 "2025-02-21T10:22:29Z")
Hi, I am running a model in FLAC3D with the power law creep. I have large strain on and I am running it over a fairly large time total. I configured the maximum and minimum timestep to have automatic adaptation of time… --- ## [Shear Induced Pore-Pressure](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/shear-induced-pore-pressure/1937)
**Author:** [@stripathi](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/stripathi)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/shear-induced-pore-pressure/1937 "2025-02-10T20:20:30Z")
is there any built-in function in FLAC/FLAC2D/3D that calculates shear induced pore pressure due to construction loading? As far as my knowledge, when you apply construction loading to an existing embankment (for example… --- ## [Top tips and hidden gems](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/top-tips-and-hidden-gems/202)
**Author:** [@jmswdmn](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/jmswdmn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/top-tips-and-hidden-gems/202 "2025-02-04T16:47:28Z")
Recently I’ve changed a couple of settings that make a huge difference on a day-to-day basis: was notified about the automatic save state file compression through Tools \> General \> Compress new save files and result fi… --- ## [Principal stress directions](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/principal-stress-directions/1916)
**Author:** [@jhazzard](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/jhazzard)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/principal-stress-directions/1916 "2025-01-27T15:12:36Z")
In FLAC3D 5, there was a function z\_pstress that returned principal stress magnitudes and directions. In FLAC3D 6 and above, this function no longer exists. Instead you can get the full stress tensor and do tensor oper… --- ## [How to extract the results to excel (such as stress and deformation of a specific line or face of the model)?](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/how-to-extract-the-results-to-excel-such-as-stress-and-deformation-of-a-specific-line-or-face-of-the-model/1896)
**Author:** [@New\_user](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/New_user)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/how-to-extract-the-results-to-excel-such-as-stress-and-deformation-of-a-specific-line-or-face-of-the-model/1896 "2025-01-16T19:30:33Z")
Take this graph as an example, there are two lines. One is horizontal and the other is vertical. The location is given. How to extract the results? I want to extract the stresses of the elements on the lines to the Exc… --- ## [Plotting cracks in 3DEC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plotting-cracks-in-3dec/1899)
**Author:** [@jhazzard](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/jhazzard)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/plotting-cracks-in-3dec/1899 "2025-01-16T14:56:25Z")
In 3DEC, joint failure is associated with subcontacts. However the subcontacts represent points, so it is not easy to plot them as 2D “cracks”. This is different from UDEC where the contacts are lines that can be easily… --- ## [How to search a zone by zone ID?](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/how-to-search-a-zone-by-zone-id/1875)
**Author:** [@New\_user](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/New_user)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2025, 10:29am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/how-to-search-a-zone-by-zone-id/1875 "2025-01-03T10:29:07Z")
How to search a zone by zone ID? --- ## [HELP : DLL file modification in 3DECv5.2](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/help-dll-file-modification-in-3decv5-2/869)
**Author:** [@VijayKiranKota](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/VijayKiranKota)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2024, 7:14am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/help-dll-file-modification-in-3decv5-2/869 "2024-07-27T07:14:41Z")
Hi, Can you provide me any advice on how to use DLL files to modify the existing joint constitutive model / to create UDM? Can I obtain any information on it? How to call the new UDM? Any example file would help! Than… --- ## [Help needed: Replicating PFC 2D example in PFC3D](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/help-needed-replicating-pfc-2d-example-in-pfc3d/1540)
**Author:** [@paudyalp11](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/paudyalp11)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/help-needed-replicating-pfc-2d-example-in-pfc3d/1540 "2024-10-26T19:21:42Z")
Hi everyone, I was trying to replicate the direct shear box example given in this in PFC3D. According to the manual, the example is for PFC2D, but the same procedure would work in PFC3D. While I was able to recreate the… [Next page](https://forum.itascainternational.com/tag/tips/3.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=tips)