An efficient method in modeling variable mesh problems in geotechnical engineering

The conventional way of modeling excavation and embankment construction using the concept of small stiffness air element suffers from the limitations of inefficiency and numerical instability during computation. The authors have developed the hybrid method using the 'true' air element with 'air nodes' which has overcome the above limitations yet it can be implemented easily into many existing programs with changing numbers of elements and nodes. The advantages of this new modeling method is illustrated by a numerical study of a braced excavation construction problem.