GeoStudio Feature List

Combine Analyses and Geometries in a Single,

Integrated Project
The integrated GeoStudio software suite allows you to combine multiple analyses using
different products into a single modeling project. You can then use the results from one
analysis as the starting conditions for another one. New analyses can be easily created by
cloning an existing analysis and adjusting its properties. When you are ready to analyze
the model, GeoStudio solves the analyses in the appropriate order, taking advantage of
parallel processing.
This unique and powerful feature greatly expands the types of problems you can analyze.
Use this approach to model construction sequences, establish initial conditions, perform
sensitivity analyses, model complex time sequences, or simply decompose a complex
problem into a number of smaller, more manageable analyses.
Included with the purchase of any GeoStudio single product or bundle is a free GeoStudio
Basic license. Analyses created with a Geostudio Basic license can be included in the same
file as the full-featured GeoStudio analysis, further unlocking the power of integration.

Multi-view Modeling Environment

Docking windows in GeoStudio allow you to view information in multiple views so you
can quickly access the data you need. You can customize the display of docking windows
to suit your particular needs. A status bar provides both view information and quick
access to commands such as zooming, and a progress bar during lengthy operations such
as solving.
Docking windows include an Analysis Explorer, Solve Manager, Result Times, Slip
Surfaces, and Sensitivity Runs. The Analysis Explorer displays a tree view of the analyses
in the project, allowing you to quickly change the analysis you are viewing. The Solve
Manager allows you to solve one or more analyses and watch their progress even while
continuing to work on another analysis. The Result Times window displays a list of time
steps that have computed results. When you select a time step, all currently displayed
views and dialog boxes show the results computed for the selected time.
The Slip Surfaces window displays a list of SLOPE/W computed trial slip surfaces. When
you select a slip surface, the Results view will show the complete slip surface results. If
detailed results are unavailable, GeoStudio will compute them on-demand, allowing you
to view detailed forces or graphs on any particular slip surface without having to
designate it as a "critical" slip surface.
The Sensitivity Runs window displays a list of runs performed for a sensitivity analysis.
Each sensitivity run is now a complete slope stability analysis, allowing you to view all
computed slip surface results for each individual run.

Define Geometry using Drawing Tools or by Importing

CAD files
Defining the geometry of the physical system is usually the first step in a numerical
analysis. GeoStudio provides all the tools necessary to define the model domain including
coordinate import, copy-paste geometric items, length and angle feedback, region merge,
region split, and direct keyboard entry of coordinates, lengths, and angles. Otho-snapping
to horizontal and vertical directions can be used to facilitate geometry definition.
GeoStudio's 3D geometry creation tool, BUILD3D, offers a comprehensive set of
drawing tools including sketch, plane, extrude, and sweep. In addition, BUILD3D has
powerful Boolean operations, which provide explicit cutting, merge, and imprint
functionality to define how 3D geometry items intersect one another.
AutoCAD DWG or DXF files can be imported directly into GeoStudio for the definition of
domain geometry. Importing capabilities are also available for creating the model domain
in BUILD3D. Finally, image files can be imported, scaled, and the region geometry drawn
directly over top.

Multiple Geometries Support

GeoStudio supports multiple geometries within a single file, including 1D, 2D, and 3D
geometries. The geometry for separate analyses branches can be modified to account for
changes in geometry without the need to create multiple files. This allows the materials
and boundary conditions used in each analysis branch to be shared across the file, so that
modifications to material or boundary condition property will only need to be changed
once for all geometries within the same GeoStudio file.
Apply Materials to the Domain for each Analysis
Once the domain regions are defined, you can apply material properties to each of the
regions individually or as a group. Applying materials to individual regions allows you to
model different materials in different analyses. You can also remove portions of the
domain in different analysis by not applying materials to these regions; this allows each
analysis to consider new regions added to the domain in stages.
Material properties can also be applied globally to all analyses in the project or to
individual analyses. Applying materials across all analyses makes it easy to change your
material definition when you are using many analyses in a single project.

Define Soil and Rock Material Models using

Flexible, Generalized Functions
GeoStudio makes broad use of generalized functions for material property and boundary
condition definition. Enter parameters for pre-defined functions, or create your own
functions using your own data. You can even write your own Add-In functions or
constitutive models to compute material property values while the analysis is being
solved, allowing you to extend GeoStudio in nearly infinite ways.

Automated Finite Element Meshing of the Geometry

When materials are applied to the domain regions in a 1D or 2D finite element analysis,
a default finite element mesh is automatically generated. While in many cases the default
mesh is adequate, you can adjust the mesh either globally or by applying constraints to
specific locations. This allows you to keep a coarse mesh in most regions while applying
a fine mesh within particular portions of the domain that may have highly nonlinear
properties or boundary conditions. As you adjust the local constraints, GeoStudio re-
generates the mesh over the entire domain, while still preserving your existing model
definition.
Generating a clean 3D finite element mesh requires only a single click of the
mouse, removing the need to spend hours on manual mesh adjustments. Similar to 1D
and 2D analyses, mesh constraints may also be applied to 3D geometry items.
Use the Keyboard to Enter Coordinates While Drawing
Objects
Coordinates can be entered using your keyboard while any drawing command is active.
This keyboard input option allows you to enter Point coordinates using the x-y
coordinates, length and angle input, offset lengths in the x-y directions, or simply the
Point numbers. A tooltip displays this information while drawing points using drawing
commands such as Draw Regions. Undo and Redo is supported while using the drawing
commands.

Integrate your own Code using GeoStudio Add-Ins

You can write supplemental programs called Add-Ins that will be called by the GeoStudio
Solver when it solves your analyses. A Function Add-In takes the place of a function
defined in GeoStudio, and offers the flexibility of computing function results that vary
dynamically based on the current mesh state.
GeoStudio provides an Add-In API (“application programming interface”) that your Add-
In can use to query parameter values while GeoStudio is solving the analysis. You can use
these values to return the required function parameter value. You can also use the Add-
In API to write out your own custom parameters for later viewing using the regular
GeoStudio result visualization features.
Each Add-In function is an object that GeoStudio associates with either a node or gauss
point, depending on the kind of function that references the Add-In. Boundary condition
functions are assigned at nodes, and Material property functions at gauss points. There
are many instances of the function object created when the solver runs, one for each node
or gauss point where the function is used.
In SLOPE/W, an Add-In can be written to access data that exists at the base of a slice
where that slice contacts the failure plane (or slip circle).
GeoStudio Add-Ins are based on Microsoft .NET, allowing you to write your Add-In using
languages such as C#, F#, or VB.NET.
Efficient, Parallel Solving of the Project Analyses
GeoStudio runs each analysis solver in parallel, allowing multiple analyses to be solved
efficiently on computers with modern, multi-core processors. When analysing a single
problem, the appropriate GeoStudio solver will still perform much of the computations
in parallel.

Interpret Results with Powerful Graphing, Visualization,

and Data Management
Interpretation is one of the most difficult aspects of numerical modelling. GeoStudio
provides powerful tools for visualizing and interpreting the results:
▪ Graphing tools let you plot almost any computed parameter
▪ Contour plots display computed parameters that vary spatially
over the domain
▪ Isolines or isosurfaces display a single parameter value as a line
or surface in the domain
▪ Isolines computed at different times can be shown
simultaneously on the domain
▪ Computed results over time can be plotted or animated in a
movie
▪ Data can be interactively queried at any location
▪ Data can be exported and taken directly into a spreadsheet for
further analysis
▪ Each GeoStudio product provides additional ways of
interpreting the analysis results

Display Material and Boundary Condition Tables,

Contour, and Color Maps
Display a material and/or boundary condition table on the drawing. Customize the
parameters to display in each table. Legends can also be displayed for contour plots and
other visualization tools like factor of safety color maps in SLOPE/W.
Add Notes, Labels, Pictures, and Dimensions on the
Drawing
Additional notes can be added as text to the drawing. Add any text you like, or use
“dynamic” text that is connected to your model data. This allows you to place labels on
the drawing that automatically update as the model changes.
Add pictures to your drawing such as a drawing created in AutoCAD, a corporate logo, or
a photo of the site.
Dimension your drawing using aligned, linear, and angular dimension tools. The
dimensions can lock to geometric objects, such as points or lines, and automatically resize
if changes are made to the domain.

Create a Printing Template in Page Layout Mode

The Page Layout mode allows for improved presentation of models and results. After
setting up an analysis, you can switch to Page Layout to specify the printing properties,
including page size and orientation, and drawing scale. This configuration can be saved
as a template or an existing Page Layout configuration can be imported into the current
file for consistent presentation of model results in multiple project files.

Automate GeoStudio with the GeoCmd Command Line

Interface
GeoCmd is a command-line utility that makes it more convenient to work with large
numbers of data files. You can automate GeoStudio to solve, upgrade, or generate reports
for many project files sequentially.
Upgrade Files from Older GeoStudio Versions and Save
to Older Formats
GeoStudio can read in files created by any earlier version of GeoStudio. GeoStudio can
also save your current project file as an older version, allowing you to continue working
with other members of your team who are not using the latest GeoStudio version.

Multi-language GeoStudio Versions

The GeoStudio user interface can be shown in multiple languages besides English,
including Chinese, French and Spanish. When installing GeoStudio, you can select your
preferred language or change it later.

GeoStudio Licensing and Delivery

GeoStudio is delivered completely in digital form, without any physical packaging. This
eliminates your shipping costs, speeds up and simplifies the purchasing process, and is
more eco-friendly! All GeoStudio resources, including engineering books, are digitized
and available online.
Stand-alone licenses do not require a hardware dongle attached to your computer,
although one can be used if preferred. Instead, you can simply activate your computer to
use your GeoStudio license. To use your GeoStudio license on a different computer, you
can transfer your activation to that computer.
Instead of activating GeoStudio on each computer, you can purchase a Network license,
allowing access from anywhere on your network. Network licenses are controlled using
a license server with a web-based monitoring interface. Network licenses can be "re-
hosted" onto new server hardware using an included activation utility.
Licenses are renewed annually, and can be automatically downloaded and installed when
running GeoStudio.
Maintenance for GeoStudio can be purchased annually to ensure access to the latest
GeoStudio versions. Maintenance also provides you with access to basic engineering
support as you create your models, as well as full licensing and installation support