On the application of high-order elements in large deformation problems of geomechanics

This paper addresses the application of 15-noded triangular elements for large deformation analysis of geotechnical problems using the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method. Important aspects of the formulation, including the nodal recovery process and the remapping of state variables, are discussed. The efficiency of these elements is represented by investigating the undrained response of a soil layer under a strip footing subjected to large deformations, and comparing the analysis results with results obtained using quadratic triangular elements. The results indicate that the 15-noded elements not only decrease the computational time, but increase the accuracy of the numerical results.