CELL METHOD CODE FOR SOIL ANALYSIS

The Cell Method (CM), already successfully used on the electromagnetic field and on heat transfer, is at the starting point in analyzing geotechnical problems. The essence of this method is a discrete formulation instead of a differential formulation. On the basis of this CM a computer code and an adequate graphic support were developed. After an explanation of the bases of the CM, physical quantities, basic equations, cell complexes and two examples of a simple geotechnical problem are presented. The use of CM in soil mechanics is limited to a two dimensional time-independent strain state in an elastic field. The final results are compared with the finite element method analysis. If compared to the other numerical integration methods, the CM differs for its immediacy and simplicity.