Optum G2 & G3 2023: Advanced 2D & 3D Geotechnical Analysis Software

Optum G2 and Optum G3 are a powerful suite of finite element programs for geotechnical stability and deformation analysis in 2D (plane strain/axisymmetry) and full 3D . Developed by OptumCE (Denmark), the software is renowned for its unique Limit Analysis capability, which computes rigorous upper and lower bounds on true collapse loads and safety factors—providing built-in numerical verification absent in traditional finite element software . Version 2023 continues this legacy, offering fast elastoplastic consolidation analysis for settlement determination, CAD import/export, adaptive mesh refinement, stochastic reliability analysis, and an intuitive interface . Whether designing shallow foundations, assessing slope stability, analyzing retaining walls, or simulating complex 3D soil-structure interactions, Optum G2/G3 delivers unprecedented efficiency, robustness, and confidence in results.

🌍 Primary Users

This professional geotechnical software suite is designed for:

• Geotechnical Engineers & Civil Engineers performing stability analysis, foundation design, and deformation calculations.

• Mining & Tunnel Engineers assessing slope stability, excavation support, and underground structures.

• Structural Engineers & Foundation Designers calculating bearing capacities and settlement for shallow and deep foundations.

• Environmental & Coastal Engineers analyzing embankments, tailings dams, and offshore structures.

• Academic Researchers & Students teaching and applying finite element limit analysis in geotechnical engineering.

⚡ Key Features & Capabilities

🧮 Core Analysis Types

Limit Analysis (Unique Optum Technology):

• Computes rigorous upper and lower bounds on true collapse loads and factors of safety 

• Brackets the true solution from above and below, providing built-in numerical verification

• Extremely fast – typically seconds for problems requiring minutes or hours in conventional FEM 

Elastoplastic Analysis (FE):

• Load-deformation analysis for settlement calculation

• Nonlinear material behavior (Mohr-Coulomb, Tresca, Drucker-Prager, Hoek-Brown, Modified Cam Clay, Soft Soil Creep) 

• Consolidation analysis (time-dependent settlement) – available in G2 

• Stage construction (excavations, embankments, tunneling)

Strength Reduction (SR-FELA):

• Determine factors of safety for slope stability with rigorous upper/lower bounds 

• Eliminates need for manual search of critical slip surfaces

Seepage & Groundwater:

• Steady-state and transient groundwater flow

• Fully coupled flow-deformation analysis (consolidation) 

• Phreatic surface definition

🏗️ Specialized Applications

🧪 Material Models

• Mohr-Coulomb, Tresca, Drucker-Prager 

• Hoek-Brown (rock masses) 

• Modified Cam Clay (soft clays) 

• Soft Soil & Soft Soil Creep (time-dependent behavior) 

• Hardening Soil with small-strain stiffness (HSSmall) 

• Anisotropic Undrained Shear (AUS) 

• Nonlinear Sand 

📐 Modeling & Workflow

Geometry Creation:

• G2 (2D): Draw directly, import CAD (DXF, DWG), define soil layers via profiles 

• G3 (3D): Advanced built-in 3D modeling tools; import STEP, IGES, SAT; extrude 2D to 3D 

Mesh Generation:

• Adaptive mesh refinement (automatic or user-specified) 

• Local mesh refinement in areas of interest

• Rapid, robust meshing without convergence issues 

Stage Management:

• Activate/deactivate regions (construction sequences, excavation stages)

• G3 – modify earlier stage, automatically propagate to all subsequent stages (GX features, but indicative) 

📊 Output & Reporting

Graphical Results:

• Displacement contours, stress/strain plots, failure mechanisms (upper/lower bound)

• Load-displacement curves

• Adaptive mesh refinement progression

• 3D visualization for G3 (rotation, slicing, point cloud viewing)

Reports:

• Automatic generation of professional calculation reports (Word, Excel) 

• Customizable report content (plots, tables, model data, stage summaries)

• Includes geometry sketches, material data, stage sequencing, collapse mechanisms

🔬 Advanced Features

Stochastic & Reliability Analysis:

• Random field generation for soil property variability 

• Monte Carlo simulation for probability of failure

• Input external parameter distributions

Parameter Variation:

• Arbitrary variation of parameters in 2D and 3D domains 

CAD Interoperability:

• Import: DXF, DWG, STEP, IGES, SAT

• Export: DXF, images

🆕 What’s New in Version 2023

• Refined Limit Analysis Solver – Faster convergence for upper/lower bound solutions (as of 2023 release)

• HSSmall Model – Hardening Soil with small-strain stiffness for improved nonlinear behavior simulation 

• Enhanced Stochastic Module – Expanded random field support, faster Monte Carlo (relative to previous versions)

• Stage Management Improvements – Smoother activation/deactivation workflows

• Updated CAD Import – Better handling of complex 3D geometries for G3 (STEP/IGES)

• 64‑bit Optimized – Handles larger models and faster computation

💻 System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)

• CPU: Multi-core Intel Core i5 or equivalent

• RAM: 8 GB (G2), 16 GB (G3 for moderate 3D models)

• Storage: 2 GB free space

• Display: 1280 × 1024 resolution

• Graphics: OpenGL 3.3 compatible with 1 GB VRAM

🎯 Industry Applications

🏢 Shallow & Deep Foundations

Determine ultimate bearing capacity (upper/lower bound) and settlement (elastoplastic/consolidation) for footings, mats, piles, and monopiles .

⛰️ Slope Stability

Compute rigorous upper/lower bounds on factor of safety using SR-FELA; visualize critical failure surfaces; assess unreinforced and geosynthetic-reinforced slopes .

🧱 Retaining Walls & Excavations

Model gravity walls, MSE walls, sheet piles; simulate braced excavations, soil nails, ground anchors; compute earth pressures and wall deflections .

🚇 Tunnels & Underground Structures

Sequential excavation, lining forces, ground surface settlement, interaction with adjacent foundations.

🌊 Offshore & Marine Geotechnics

Monopiles for wind turbines, suction anchors, offshore rock berms, scour protection .

🏭 Mining & Tailings

Tailings dam stability, waste rock dumps, open pit slopes, heap leach pads.

🌾 Embankments & Levees

Settlement prediction, pore pressure dissipation during staged construction, overall stability .