Quick finite element analysis of soil tool interactions

Abstract The calculating speed of a finite element analysis of soil tool interactions is an important key factor to determine whether the method will be accepted by the designers or not. Several steps were taken to reduce the total calculating time in programming of a finite element method (FEM). The program was evaluated by using two examples on a 486 microcomputer by comparing the total time used in calculations. Results when compared with the laboratory soil bin tests showed a close agreement with the 3-D analysis.