Itasca is pleased to announce that the 6th Itasca Symposium on Applied Numerical Modeling will take place June 3 - 6, 2024, in Toronto, Canada.
The 6th International Itasca Symposium will bring together world-renowned experts in the fields of civil, energy, and mining engineering and sciences specializing in the application of Itasca's family of numerical modeling software. Attendees will present and discuss the most recent advances in these industries and will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, share their own research findings, and network with international colleagues. The aim of the Symposium is to provide an opportunity to learn and exchange useful concepts, develop new collaborations, and explore solutions for the future of these industries.
SundayJune 2 |
MondayJune 3 |
TuesdayJune 4 |
WednesdayJune 5 |
ThursdayJune 6 |
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Ice Breaker Reception 19:00-21:00Toronto Marriott City Centre - Aurora Room |
Symposium Technical Session 8:00-16:30CN Tower - Maple Leaf Cinema |
Symposium Technical Session 9:00-16:45CN Tower - Maple Leaf Cinema |
Symposium Technical Session 9:00-16:00CN Tower - Maple Leaf Cinema |
Workshops Morning - 8:30-12:30 Afternoon - 13:00-17:00CN Tower - Aspen/Birch/Cedar Meeting Rooms |
Banquet Dinner Reception 18:00-20:00 Dinner 20:00-22:00CN Tower - 360 Restaurant |
IMAT Workshop 8:30-17:00Toronto Marriott City Centre - Raptor Room |
Normal period is available until Jun 6, 2024.
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If you require a letter of invitation, please send an email with the subject “Invitation letter request for 2024 ITASAC Symposium” containing the following information to symposium@itascainternational.com:
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The ITASCA Symposium will take place at the world famous CN Tower. The main theater and meeting rooms we will be using for the presentations, workshops, and coffee breaks will be at the base of the CN Tower.
At 114 stories above ground level, the Reception and Award Ceremony will be held on the Observation Level (cityside) prior to the Banquet Dinner within the 360 Restaurant. LEARN MORE about the CN Tower.
Four in-person workshops will be offered at the Symposium for the those interested in refreshing or expanding their abilities with ITASCA software. The workshops will be held, in parallel sessions, on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Each of these workshops has a participation fee of CND$180 (CND$90 for student registrants). For those interested in IMAT (ITASCA Mining Analysis Toolbox), a fifth workshop being held June 5-6, 2024 at the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, the participation fee for this workshop is CND$200 + 13% GST. Note there is a separate registration link for the IMAT Workshop (see below).
June 6 - MORNING (8 am – 12 noon)
PYTHON AND ADVANCED FISH — Room A (TBD), Chris Thielsen and Jim Hazzard
Join us for an overview of Python and working with Python in ITASCA software for the first half of this workshop. Learn about the Python modules which are included with ITASCA software and how to add new modules. This workshop is suitable for those who have never used Python before or for advanced Python users interested in working with Python in ITASCA software.
For the second half of this workshop, advanced FISH capabilities will be reviewed; including working with lists, splitting, multithreading, and file read/write. The use of multithreaded FISH will greatly enhance the capability and performance of FISH scripting, especially for very large models and when using scripting during model cycling.
It is recommended that you bring your laptop, but not required. A two-week long trial version of the latest ITASCA software will be distributed as part of this workshop. All project and data files reviewed will be provided plus the slides (as PDFs).
LIQUEFACTION OF MINE TAILINGS — Room B (TBD), Zhāo Chéng
Join us for a review of numerical modeling static liquefaction of mine tailings using Itasca software FLAC2D or FLAC3D version 9. Static liquefaction has been in the spotlight as it has been associated with numerous recent failures of tailings storage facilities (e.g., the 2019 failure of Dam I at the Corrego de Feijao mine in Brumadinho, Brazil) and water reservoir dams (e.g., the 2020 failure of Edenville dam in Michigan).
This half-day workshop will discuss core concepts of static liquefaction based on the critical state soil mechanics framework and outline how to assess static liquefaction through numerical modeling. Goals for this workshop include:
A two-week long trial version of the latest ITASCA software will be distributed as part of this workshop and all slides will be made available as PDFs.
LUNCH (12 noon to 1 pm, on your own)
June 6 - AFTERNOON (1 pm – 5 pm)
MACHINE LEARNING FOR GEOENGINEERS — Room A (TBD), Chris Thielsen
Join us for a brief introduction to machine learning as it applies to geomechanics. The workshop starts with an introduction to machine learning and surrogate modeling. The workshop will discuss the advantages of each methodology and highlight the capability of numerical simulations to empower machine learning, finishing with a review of two real-world projects that involved the use of machine learning. The goal of this course is to demystify machine learning for those that still see it as a buzzword and demonstrate that machine learning should be part of the standard engineering problem-solving “toolbox”. A two-week long trial version of the latest ITASCA software will be distributed as part of this workshop and all slides will be made available as PDFs.
TUNNEL MODELING FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS — Room B (TBD), Marco Camusso and Jim Hazzard
Join us for an overview of modeling tunneling using ITASCA software. The workshop will describe recommended procedures for tunnel modeling including 2D versus 3D analysis, mesh generation tools, simulation of different support systems (including non-linear support), consideration of water, the latest constitutive models, and the post-processing of the model results. Instruction will be delivered mostly through the working of practical examples. Previous experience with ITASCA software is beneficial but not essential. A two-week long trial version of the latest ITASCA software will be distributed as part of this workshop and all slides will be made available as PDFs.
FULL TWO-DAY (June 5 - 6)
IMAT IMMERSIVE TRAINING — Raptor Room (Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel), Gys Basson
During the ITASCA Symposium, ITASCA is launching IMAT (Itasca's Mining Analysis Toolbox) our groundbreaking software tailored exclusively for underground and open pit mining applications.
What Sets IMAT Apart?
Modern & Intuitive Interface: No scripting required! IMAT boasts a sleek, user-friendly design that simplifies the process of building, solving, and post-processing large-scale mining problems.
Bridging the Gap: IMAT pioneers the fusion of advanced seismic data integration and numerical modeling. We've seamlessly combined the robust FLAC3D solver with a state-of-the-art seismic data analysis tool.
Everyday User-Friendly: Our software was meticulously designed with "simplicity" as the guiding principle. IMAT effortlessly introduces advanced geotechnical and seismological concepts, making it accessible to everyone.
Key Features at a Glance
Streamlined Interface: Say goodbye to complexity and hello to efficiency!
Powerful Integration: Witness the synergy between the FLAC3D solver and advanced seismic data analysis.
User-Centric Design: Unlock the potential of advanced concepts with ease.
Unlock the full potential of IMAT during our exclusive hands-on training workshop running parallel to the conference. Here's a sneak peek into what awaits you on each day:
Day 1: June 5 - Introduction to IMAT: Combining Seismology and Numerical Modeling
The integration of Seismology and Numerical Modelling presents a synergistic approach for acquiring a comprehensive understanding of subsurface geological conditions. Presently, mining operations frequently necessitate the expertise of external consultants to navigate the interface between these two disciplines. During this session, our objective is to dispel this prevailing misconception by elucidating seismological principles in a straightforward manner.
Agenda Highlights:
Day 2: June 6 - Using IMAT to Build and Post-process Mine Scale Models
Hands-on Experience
Why Attend?
ITASCA is pleased to congratulate Martin P.J. Schöpfer1, Mario Habermüller1,2, Nicola Levi1,2, and Kurt Decker1 for their extended abstract "Rigid Body Spring Network Models of Drilling-induced Tensile Fractures," which has been selected as the winner of the 2024 PETER A. CUNDALL AWARD. Dr. Schöpfer will present their work as a keynote lecturer during the Symposium in Toronto.
From their extended abstract: “Discrimination of drilling-induced tensile fractures (DITFs) from natural fractures or from induced hydraulic fractures can be difficult due to ambiguous geometric signals in borehole image logs. Misinterpretation of such features can cause serious errors in the characterization of fractured reservoirs, as well as in the calibration of geomechanical models. Hence, understanding the mechanics of DITF formation, the resulting fracture geometry and their continuation into the far-field is of vital interest for subsurface characterization. This study presents new insights into induced fracture geometries and fracture mechanics based on 3D numerical simulations.”
In recognition of their outstanding work, ITASCA is also awarding honorable mentions to the following extended abstracts:
“Analyzing the Effect of Continuous Miner Parameters on Fine Particle Generation: A Case Study in a Salt Mine”
Behzad Mehrgini and Kamran Esmaeili
Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
From their extended abstract: “Optimizing the rock fragmentation process and minimizing the fine particle generation requires a thorough understanding of the effects of various parameters on the rock-cutting process. Thus, this study investigated the impact of several parameters, including cutting depth and bit condition (new vs. worn bits), on fine generation through numerical simulation using ITASCA’s PFC2D software.”
“Application of the CWFS method in FLAC2D to model brittle failure around the Qirehataer Diversion tunnel.”
Fernando Gómez, Andrew Corkum, and Navid Bahrani
Department of Civil & Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
From their extended abstract: "This study explores the use of the CWFS (cohesion weakening friction strengthening) method in FLAC2D for the analysis of brittle failure around the Qirehataer Diversion Tunnel in western China, utilizing Walton’s CWFS modeling guidelines. Following these guidelines and adjusting the input parameters, the simulation results are compared with field observations of the depth of failure to assess the effectiveness of the CWFS method in FLAC2D."
The Peter A. Cundall Award is presented to the best overall Extended Abstract at an ITASCA Symposium. A certificate and award is presented to each author and they are invited to present one of the Symposium keynote addresses. Honorable mentions may also be recognized. The winner is selected by a committee of ITASCAns, including Dr. Cundall, based on recommendations by the Symposium Technical Committee. Employees of ITASCA International do not qualify.
Dr. Cundall was instrumental to the conceptualization and development of ITASCA's FLAC, FLAC3D, UDEC, 3DEC, and PFC software. Dr. Cundall performed his doctoral work at Imperial College, London, where, in 1971, he originated the Distinct Element Method for modeling jointed rock and granular material. In addition to being an independent consultant for several years, he worked for Dames and Moore for five years, was a faculty member at the University of Minnesota for seven years at which he is now Adjunct Professor. He was employed by ITASCA for more than 20 years, and remains an Associate with ITASCA. Dr. Cundall is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Member of the National Academy of Engineering.
1Department of Geology, University of Vienna, Austria
2NiMBUC Geoscience, Vienna, Austria
Itasca International
Itasca Canada
Itasca Minneapolis
Numerical modeling of underground excavations at the SNOWY 2.0 Power Station Complex
Xuan-Son Nguyen , Rima Ghazal, Sami Khodr, and Ivan Ching
Assessment of creep at low deviatoric stress surrounding rock salt caverns with FLAC3D
Dirk Zapf, Bastian Leuger, Feline Koerner, and Lukas Baumgaertel
Dynamic reinforcement strategy and design for strainburst prone excavations in an underground mine
Eugie Kabwe
Comparison of P2PSand and NorSand constitutive models for assessing static liquefaction in a tailings dam
Pascale Rousé and Andrés Panes
New swelling constitutive model in FLAC3D
Othman Nasir and Mahsa Bajestani
Assessing the impact of gas generation rate on mechanical behavior of MSW: A T2LBM-FLAC3D coupling framework
Mohamed Hassan, Hamed Nasiri, Alborz Fathinezhad, and Navid Jafari
Estimating shear stress within a clay foundation using the Burgers-creep model
Mark Bancroft and Salina Yong
Numerical investigation of thermal compaction with application to the COx claystone
Mountaka Souley, Minh-Ngoc Vu, Carlos Plua, Gilles Armand, and Nathalie Conil
A Subspring Network Breakable Voronoi model for rock: Grain-breakage scheme
David Potyondy and Matthew Purvance
Maxwell damping in FLAC3D: Verification and validation
Ethan Dawson and Zhao Cheng
Seismic performance assessment of dams on tailings foundation
Marjan Oboudi
Stability analysis of Taipinwan Dam and its fifth regular safety assessment
Yongjin Cheng
Development of a numerical modeling approach in FLAC3D to estimate critical velocity for high-speed rail
Alberto Jaen-Toribio, Alice Duley, Jun Wang, Donald Anderson, and Paul Murphy
Evaluation of optimal ground motion intensity measure for estimating tailings dam displacements
Nestor Bellido Añanca, Carlos Sánchez Rodríguez, and Zenón Aguilar Bardales
Rigid Body Spring Network models of drilling-induced tensile fractures
Martin Schöpfer, Mario Habermüller, Nicola Levi, and Kurt Decker
A surrogate model for real-time slope stability analysis in three dimensions
Cristian Castro
Using Itasca Software to train machine learning surrogate models
Jason Furtney and Chris Thielsen
MPAC - Material Point Analysis of Continua
Matthew Purvance and Corne Coetzee
Pixels to discrete blocks: An approach to generate and analyze masonry walls
Peter Griesbach, Rhea Wilson, and Bora Pulatsu
Simulating masonry wall behavior via DEM-based computational modeling techniques
Bora Pulatsu, Jose Lemos, and Paulo Lourenço
DEM analyses of particle scaling and shear stress uniformity in direct simple shear tests
Abouzar Sadrekarimi and Shayan Hashemi
Effect of geometric heterogeneity on macroscopic behavior and microcracking in granite using UDEC-BBM
Jia Liu and Chengguo Zhang
The micromechanics of the progressive fracturing process in hard and strong polycrystalline rocks using PFC2D
Fedilberto J. Gonzalez and Mark S. Diederichs
Numerical modeling the thermal-mechanical behaviors of rocks in post-wildfire environment
Yifei Ma and Fahd Mujahid
Numerical simulations of loose initially uniform specimens in drained triaxial compression
David Reid, Riccardo Fanni, and Andy Fourie
Time-dependent modeling of drifts excavated in COx claystone using FLAC3D
Frederico Lara, Lina-María Guayacán-Carrillo, Jean Sulem, Jana Jaber, Jan Cornet, Gilles Armand, and Jad Zghondi
The development of hydro-mechanical coupling method based on PFC3D with the Finite Volume Method
Jian Zhou and Jeoung Seok Yoon
Using site data and machine learning to improve numerical model parameterization
Chris Thielsen and Jason Furtney
Conditioning discrete fracture networks to field data
Benoît Pinier, Romain Le Goc, Quentin Courtois, Caroline Darcel, Philippe Davy, and Marco Camusso
A detailed view on the process of preparing numerical models using Griddle and FLAC3D: A case of large underground mine with intersecting geologic structures
Cinthia Maldonado and Andrey Pyatigorets
Handling the simulation of crack injection in FLAC3D: A return of experience
Emanuele Catalano and Guadalupe Gonzalez
Selection of input properties for improved layer in plane strain stabilized excavation problems
Azneb Abdul Salam, Subhadeep Banerjee, and R.G. Robinson
Explicit modeling of friction rock stabilizers
Fico Dio Agrensa, John Hadjigeorgiou, and Efstratios Karampinos
Investigating the strength and failure mechanism of hard rock pillars using Bonded Block Models
Farzaneh Hamediazad and Navid Bahrani
DEM simulation of long railway tracks through utilizing periodic boundaries
Alireza Ahmadi, Carl Wersäll, and Stefan Larsson
Troubleshooting the embedded modified Cam Clay Constitutive Model in FLAC3D for reproducibility and accuracy
Yongfeng Deng, Marsheal Fisonga, Yongtao Hu, Shijiex Han, and Rennie B. Kaunda
Coupled numerical model CFD-DEM of debris flow impact on an obstacle using rigid blocks
Rime Chehade, Fabian Dedecker, Bastien Chevalier, and Pierre Breul
Modeling slope failure from initiation to runout geometry with FLAC3D and PFC3D: A back analysis of the Leo Failure event
Fabian Dedecker, Sacha Emam, Tatyana Katsaga, Serdar Ergun, Chad Williams, and Julia Potter
Three-dimensional explicit structure representation in slope stability analysis
Annalisa Moore, Leonardo Ormazabal, Matt Purvance, and Tatyana Katsaga
Use of Itasca modeling tools and parametric models on slope stability analysis
Leonardo Ormazabal and Rodrigo Dockendorff
3D numerical stability analysis of a footwall slope at the McArthur River Mine
Ke He
Estimation of displacements induced on neighboring structures by the construction of the Porte Maillot station in Paris based on observations and back-analysis of the first excavation phases
Marco Camusso, Huy Tran, and Benoit Bertrand
Modeling of massive soil improvement based on rigid inclusions in Mexico City
Francisco Flores and Ivan Zarate
Stochastic analysis of reinforced structures with anisotropic random soil properties
Reza Jamshidi Chenari and Richard Bathurst
Assessing the participation of temporary support measures in an underground excavation using 3DEC
Michail Karampasis and Ilias Bakasis
Modeling of an adit connection to a segmentally lined tunnel in FLAC3D
Robert Adams, Michael Dutton, Peter Kottke, and Dale Brunton
Application of the CWFS method in FLAC2D to model brittle failure around the Qirehatear Diversion tunnel
Luis Gomez de Alba, Andrew Corkum, and Navid Bahrani
Assessment of shaft stability using numerical modeling: the impact of tensile strength
Siavash Taghipoor
Analyzing the effect of Continuous Miner parameters on fine particle generation: A case study in a salt mine
Behzad Mehrgini and Kamran Esmaeili
Geomechanical assessment of Tishinsky Underground Mine: Understanding deformation mechanisms and predicting future stability
Hao Li, Alex Turichshevor, Joffre Sanftenberg, and Tatyana Katsaga
Numerical simulation of gravity driven consolidation for backfill slurry in mine stope
Guangsheng Liu, Qinghai Ma, Lijie Guo, and Xiaocong Yang
Assessment of floor heave behavior in soft floor strata
Wanqi Zhang
3D modeling of destress excavations at two case study mines
Shahé Shnorhokian, Owen Mickevicius, Aidan O'Heany, and Samar Ahmed
3D modeling of destressed rock mass using RMR, Q', and damage factor D
Shahé Shnorhokian and Samar Ahmed
Stability assessment for an extended stope in a case study underground mine
Adrian Ivan Santos Chauca, Shahe Shnorhokian, and Mustafa Kumral
A DEM-DFN method to identify connected fracture networks above mined longwall panels
Mingwei Chen, Chengguo Zhang, Ismet Canbulat, and Serkan Saydam
Developing a hybrid strength model for a complex orebody in a deep hard rock mine
Pranay Yadav, Chris O'Connor, and Cinthia Maldonado
Use of numerical modeling and empirical approaches to optimize safety and coal recovery in an underground coal mine
Surajit Sarkar, Syed Shah Ghalib Askari, Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Indranil Saha, Piyush Srivastava, Manoj Kumar, Mayank Shekhar, Sanjay Rajoria, and Jay Aglawe
Criteria for evaluation of design and mining methods using mine-scale numerical modeling
Jonny Sjöberg, Joel Andersson, Ott Oisalu, Theofanis Rentzelos, Mattias Sjölander, Mikael Svartsjaern, Jessa Vatcher, and Tristan Jones
Defining a seismic response index from Continuum Modeling results
Cyrille Séguineau de Préval, Amélie Ouellet, and Patrick Andrieux
Numerical investigations on the impact of corrosion on the capacity of welded steel mesh
Efstratios Karampinos and John Hadjigeorgiou