2.6 Named Objects
FLAC3D gives the user the power to create, name and use objects. Parts of a model can be given
names such as “Excavate 1,” which can identify a volume to be removed during an excavation
sequence. While the code can certainly be run without using names for objects, the entire process
of modeling and reporting can be eased considerably by using these facilities. This section gives
some ideas about how named objects can be used, and illustrates the differences between the types
of objects in FLAC3D.
2.6.1 Groups
Groups can be used to conveniently identify (i.e., name) parts of the model. Groups are most
commonly used to identify zones and structural elements, but other objects can also be associated
with a group name. A routine use of the GROUP command, for example, is to identify parts of the
grid which are to be excavated at some stage in the modeling process. The null constitutive model
can then be easily applied to the zones identified by that group name. Execute Example 2.2 for a
demonstration of this.
Zones may be associated with more than one group at a time, via slots. See the GROUP command
and the group range element documentation in Section 1 in the Command Reference for details.