I feel both PLAXIS3D and FLAC3D is good in simulating your problem but PLAXIS3D is very easy to use as compared to FLAC3D. PLAXIS3D based literature related to your problem is available, so i recommend you to collect those paper and use effectively in your work..All the best in your research..

I think FLAC3D is the best software for your target.

The simplest suitable software is Plaxis - 3D.

I feel both PLAXIS3D and FLAC3D is good in simulating your problem but PLAXIS3D is very easy to use as compared to FLAC3D. PLAXIS3D based literature related to your problem is available, so i recommend you to collect those paper and use effectively in your work..All the best in your research..

I think both FLAC 3D and PLAXIS 3D are good to simulate your 3D problem. some people think that to use FLAC 3D is easy and other think PLAXIS 3D is easy. its actually depend on your problem and the way of solving the problem and the interface of the software you familier with.

You can use either of FLAC 3D or PLAXIS 3D.

You can use either of RS 3 (Rockscience) or Midas GTX

I always prefer to use open source code. From that point of view, I would like to use Code_Aster (https://www.code-aster.org/spip.php?rubrique2) or OpenGeoSys 5 not 6 (https://www.opengeosys.org/) or OpenSees (http://opensees.berkeley.edu/).

Now the question is what is the purpose of 3D modeling geosynthetic encased stone columns ? Is it for research or field application? Depending on your purpose, you may make it simple or complicated.

Following paper also may help you, where AFENA code is used for the model. However, it is 2D model. It is worth mentioning that in the referred paper, AFENA is not the commercial one, but UNSW@ADFA modified version research code.

Lo, S. R., R. Zhang and J. Mak (2010). "Geosynthetic-encased stone columns in soft clay: A numerical study." Geotextiles and Geomembranes 28(3): 292-302.

From my field data analyses on the highly instrumented Coombabah Creek Trial embankment, geosynthetic encasement did not work well !!! May be for other field case it may works.

Cheers

Mohammad

You can use Plaxis 2D or Plaxis 3D. In plaxis, you will get so many easy input geometry rega material proper, geosynthetic properties.

You can also use ABAQUS to simulate with the consideration that you need to be careful in the initial definitions of the subject. good luck

Very interesting answers by all my RG-colleagues. Thank you so much.

ABAQUS is the way to go. You will have much more control over what you are doing. Similarly, you could try DIANA. With either of these programs, you can come up with excellent models.

I recommended PLAXIS3D and ABAQUS.

Although I am not a big fan of simulation, but FLAC 3D and PLAXIS 3D are the best software programs in geotechnical simulation world.

I think ANSYS is the most powerful software to simulate 3D model. Good luck!

From an application point of view I would recommend PLAXIS as it is easy to use. From a control point of view I would recommend ABAQUS as you have much more control of what you are doing. But this is only my opinion, as I've only experience with PLAXIS and ABAQUS.

Anyway, it depends on your desired application (research?) and also your previous knowledge with the FEM and FEM software. If you have experience using ANSYS, stay with ANSYS, etc...

Hi

The best software for that is ABAQUS. But Plaxis3D can do it too.

Very interesting answers by all my RG-colleagues. Thank you so much.

You can use 4 software for 3D modeling in this case.

1- ANSIS

2- ABAQUS

3- PLAXIS3D

4- FLAC3D

But , PLAXIS3D and ABAQUS have more user-friendly applications for students.