Seepage Modeling with SEEP/W - GeoStudio 2007 version 7.22

Chapter 3: Geometry and Meshing
SEEP/W
The discussion now will focus on how to apply an interface region to a line object. There are two ways to
do this. There is a Draw Line Material Properties command in which you can choose a material model
you have defined and apply it to a line by clicking just next to a line as shown in Figure 3-12. You can
assign a different property to either side of a line. If you use this option, you are specifying the material
as well as creating special thin “interface” elements. You can then go back and change the element
thickness from its default value using the Draw Mesh Properties command and choosing the line.
Figure 3-12 Using the Draw Line Material command to assign an interface model to a line
The second option for specifying an interface model on a line is to first create the thin elements and then
assign the material to the line. You can use the Draw Mesh Properties command, select the line, choose
the Generate Interface Elements option and specify an interface element thickness. This process is
illustrated in Figure 3-13.
The actual thickness of the interface elements may or may not have physical meaning but the material
model assigned to them will hold some meaning. If, for example, the interface represents an insulation
layer in TEMP/W, then the thickness is relevant. However, if the interface describes the frictional
behavior between two sliding blocks, then the thickness specified is not factored in the solution and it can
be specified only to satisfy your presentation needs.
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