Manual
numgeo is a finite element program for geotechnical engineering applications. The numgeo-GiD problemtype integrates numgeo into the GiD pre- and post-processor, so that geometry creation, meshing, model definition and the launch of a calculation all happen in one place.
This manual describes the interface: what each part of the workspace does, how model data is organised, and how a model is turned into a numgeo input file.
The workspace
After selecting the numgeo problemtype in GiD, the interface is extended by four elements.
numgeo menu
A dedicated numgeo entry is added to the GiD menu bar. It gives access to every manager and utility, and is the most complete of the entry points:
| Menu | Contains |
|---|---|
| Manager | Dimension, Material, Truss/Beam material, Interaction, Amplitude, Load, Initial conditions, Step |
| Utilities | Pile generator, Embedded anchor / pile generator |
| Input file | Generate file, View / edit files |
| Process manager | Monitor running and finished calculations |
| Manuals | Reference, Tutorial and Theory manual of numgeo (opens in a browser) |
numgeo tools toolbar
The toolbar collects the actions needed most often, in the order in which a model is usually built:
| Group | Buttons |
|---|---|
| Geometry helpers | Pile generator, Embedded anchor / pile generator |
| Model properties | Material manager, Truss/beam material manager, Interaction manager |
| Loading | Amplitude manager, Load manager, Initial-condition manager |
| Checking | Model visualisation |
| Calculation | Step manager, Generate numgeo files, View / edit input files, Process monitor, Open results in ParaView |
If the toolbar is not visible, it can be restored from GiD's toolbar settings; it is registered under the name numgeo tools toolbar.
Data tree
The data tree on the left holds the model definition that is attached to geometric entities: dimensions and units, element types, material assignment, embedded regions, contact, initial conditions and the calculation steps. It can be shown or hidden with Utilities → Show data tree.
Because numgeo replaces GiD's generic model definition, the standard GiD entries Problem data, Materials, Conditions, Interval and Local axes are removed from the menus. Everything is defined through the numgeo data tree and the managers instead.
Model visualisation panel
A small floating panel appears next to the viewport shortly after the problemtype is loaded. The eye button toggles the symbol drawing of the model, and the step selector controls which conditions are shown:
- No step (initial / embedded only) — model-wide initial conditions together with all active embedded anchors, beams and piles.
- A calculation step — the supported conditions of that step, together with the embedded members that persist through it.
Symbol drawing is generated on demand rather than automatically, so that opening large saved projects stays fast.
Where model data is stored
Two different storage mechanisms are used, which is worth knowing when copying or archiving a project.
In the GiD project (.spd) — everything that is assigned to geometry:
element types, material assignment, embedded regions, contact pairs, initial
conditions, loads, boundary conditions and steps. These are edited either
through the data tree or through the corresponding manager; both act on the same
data.
In separate database files next to the project — definitions that are too complex for the data tree:
| File | Written by |
|---|---|
numgeo_materials.tcldata |
Material manager |
numgeo_truss_beam_materials.tcldata |
Truss/beam material manager |
amplitude-database.tcl |
Amplitude manager |
numgeo-interactions.tcldata |
Interaction manager |
numgeo-embedded-pile-library.tcldata |
Embedded pile generator |
The data tree stores only the names of these definitions, which are then used for assignment. The database files follow the model automatically on Save as, but they must be copied along with the project if it is moved or sent by hand.
Typical workflow
- Create the geometry in GiD as usual, or generate it with the pile and embedded-member generators.
- Set problem dimensions and units. For a new project the dimension dialog opens automatically, because the choice affects which element types and conditions are available.
- Define materials in the material manager, and truss or beam sections in the truss/beam material manager.
- Assign element types and materials to surfaces, volumes or lines through the data tree.
- Define interactions — contact pairs and embedded regions.
- Define amplitudes, then loads, boundary conditions and initial conditions.
- Define the calculation steps, including time integration, solver controls and requested output.
- Generate the mesh with GiD's meshing tools.
- Generate the numgeo input files, optionally review them in the input-file editor, and start the calculation.
- Follow the calculation in the process monitor and open the results in ParaView.
Steps 3 to 7 can be done in any order. The model visualisation is useful throughout to confirm that conditions really sit where they are intended to.