Discussion on “Coupled effective stress analysis of insertion problems in geotechnics with the Particle Finite Element Method” by L. Monforte, M. Arroyo, J.M. Carbonell, and A. Gens

Abstract Addressed here is the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) modelling of undrained CPTu penetration with regard to a reference analytical solution based on the Spherical Cavity Expansion Method (SCEM). Also discussed is the choice of the soil model and its parameters. The effect of cone interface friction on CPTu simulation is analyzed in a series of penetration tests using Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) and Updated Lagrangian (UL) methods. The results of the simulations are compared with the Authors’ proposal.