Problem description

Using the 'Elastoplastic (M-κ)' material type option for embedded beam elements in PLAXIS 3D will result in a program crash/error when the calculation process for the model is executed.

This material type is currently not supported in PLAXIS 3D calculations, and the option should not be used despite being available for selection in the embedded beam material data set as shown in the snapshot below.

 

Executing the calculation with this material type present in the model, activated or deactivated, will result in an error.

Note, this elastoplastic option is available and fully functional for embedded beams in PLAXIS 2D.

 

Solution

This issue is now solved in PLAXIS 3D 2024.2. Please update to this version when encountering this meshing issue in PLAXIS 3D.

Switching the material type of the embedded beam elements to either 'Elastic' or 'Elastoplastic' will resolve this issue as those are the two material types that have already been implemented for PLAXIS 3D and are fully functional.

Since the 'Elastoplastic (M-κ)' material type option is selectable in current PLAXIS 3D 2023 versions, it is recommended not to save projects with embedded beam elements using this material type to avoid further issues or confusion.

As this 'Elastoplastic (M-κ)' material type option is not supported in PLAXIS 3D, please avoid using this option altogether.

If you wish to see this option in PLAXIS 3D in a future update, you can submit this idea/request via the ideas portal for PLAXIS.