New Release: GeoStudio 2025.1 Featured

GeoStudio 2025.1 offers a balanced mix of new functionalities and enhancements to our core tools. This version introduces Python scripting, enabling more efficient workflows, and 3D reinforcement analysis for better slope stability assessments. 

Additionally, Seequent made powerful improvements to the automatic search algorithm for limit equilibrium analysis, introduced advanced capabilities for defining point and line arrays in three-dimensional geometries, and enhanced the calculation of pull-out capacity for reinforcement. The release also features significantly improved graphing capabilities, advanced 3D mesh refinement, and more, all designed to streamline your geotechnical projects and deliver high-quality engineering solutions. 

What’s new in GeoStudio 2025.1?

New Array Tool in 3D

In civil and mining projects, accurately defining and analyzing reinforcement within three-dimensional geometries is a critical yet complex task. Traditional CAD tooling often falls short in providing the capability to define the geometry representing nails, anchors, and piles. A similar problem exists in dewatering or artificial ground freezing problems in which boundary conditions are applied to lines in 3D space. GeoStudio 2025.1 introduces advanced capabilities for defining point and line arrays in three-dimensional geometries. By solving this problem, we aim to streamline workflows and support our customers in delivering high-quality engineering solutions. 

Reinforcement in 3D

GeoStudio 2025.1 now includes the capability to analyse the effect of reinforcement on the factor of safety in 3D limit equilibrium analysis. This feature allows geotechnical engineers to incorporate various types of reinforcement including anchors and soil nails into their 3D models. This enhancement addresses a critical need in geotechnical engineering, where reinforcement analysis is essential for ensuring slope stability and safety. By expanding this functionality to 3D, GeoStudio 2025.1 provides users with a more comprehensive and robust tool for their geotechnical projects.

Automatic Slip Surface Search in 2D and 3D

Powerful enhancements have been made to the automatic search algorithm for limit equilibrium analysis. While the Circular Search Cuckoo was introduced in previous releases, the new version now includes a non-circular search option. This feature is particularly valuable for domains involving anisotropy, where non-circular failure surfaces are more representative of real-world conditions. The new release also expands 2D and 3D capabilities by incorporating several advanced algorithm options, including Particle Swarm Optimization, Differential Evolution, Downhill Skiing Algorithm, Genetic Algorithm, and Pure Random Optimization. This improvement supports more robust geotechnical designs and informed decision-making as various search techniques can be compared to ensure the most critical mode of failure has been identified

Enhanced Slip Surface Optimization in 2D & 3D

Advanced optimization algorithms for determining the shape of the critical slip surface in 2D and 3D limit equilibrium analysis have been introduced. The new release includes 2D optimization using polylines and splines, as well as advanced algorithms such as Particle Swarm Optimization, Differential Evolution (DE), Cuckoo Search, and Random Walk. These enhancements enable users to identify the critical slip surface shape in complex geological settings more effectively, thereby reducing risk. 

Python Scripting API for GeoStudio

We are excited to introduce a powerful new feature that unlocks the full capability of GeoStudio: a python scripting API. Scripts can be used, for example, to automate repetitive tasks such as updating a piezometric surface based on sensor data and interfacing with 3rd party inverse modelling applications to calibrate material model parameters. The scripting services also allow results to be extracted from an analysis, even if those results were not cached in the project file, making it possible to generate graphs of any parameter. By leveraging the power of scripting, users can push the boundaries of what’s possible in GeoStudio, leading to more innovative and optimized project outcomes.

Improved Integration of Reinforcement Pull-Out Capacity 

GeoStudio latest enhancement for 2D and 3D slope stability software improves the calculation of pull-out capacity for reinforcement. Previously, the pull-out capacity was determined based on the effective stress at the intersection of the slip surface and the reinforcement. This method overlooked the increasing confinement stress with depth, especially for angled reinforcement. 

With this new approach, the pull-out capacity is numerically integrated along the entire bonded length of the reinforcement. This advanced method captures the effects of non-uniform ground surface profiles and dipping reinforcement, providing a more accurate and reliable assessment of slope stability and more cost-effective projects.

Péclet and Courant Numbers in 3D 

The Péclet and Courant numbers can now be visualized in 2D and 3D heat transfer analyses. These dimensionless numbers are crucial for understanding the numerical stability of the solution. The Péclet Number compares the relative importance of convection to conduction, thereby imposing a control on mesh size, while the Courant number is important for time-step selection in convection dominant systems. By visualizing these numbers, engineers and scientists can better understand the dynamics of advective heat transfer, minimize numerical dispersion and oscillation, and ensure accurate simulation results. 

New Graphing Technology 

GeoStudio 2025.1 introduces a significantly enhanced graphing capability, addressing the cornerstone of numerical analysis interpretation. The new graphing technology offers a richer, more user-friendly experience, aligning with contemporary software standards. This upgrade allows for more precise and customizable graph generation, enabling users to better visualize and interpret their numerical analysis results. 

Improvements to 2D Sketching for 3D Model Building

The 2D sketching capability in GeoStudio 3D has significantly better user experience. The new functionality allows users to edit the local origin coordinate, providing greater flexibility and control in 2D sketching. These improvements save time and enhance accuracy, making the sketching process more intuitive and efficient.

Thermal Dispersion in Heat Transfer Analysis

Thermal dispersion refers to a phenomenon in which heat transfer occurs due to hydrodynamic mixing. As solute dispersion is generally important for solute transport in porous media, thermal dispersion should also be considered for heat transport. Unlike pure conduction, which relies on temperature gradients, or convection, which involves heat transfer with a moving fluid, thermal dispersion accounts for the interplay of these mechanisms. The addition of a thermal dispersion coefficient in GeoStudio means that TEMP/W and TEMP3D can better capture real-world systems, particularly with fast moving groundwater flow.

New Thermal Conductivity Estimation Routines

GeoStudio 2025.1 significantly upgrades the estimation of thermal conductivity for porous media by incorporating industry-standard routines based on widely accepted techniques. The new release integrates advanced estimation methods, such as de Vries (1963), Johansen (1975), Côté and Konrad (2005), and Lu et al. (2007). These enhancements ensure more accurate and reliable predictions of thermal conductivity, thereby expanding GeoStudio’s capabilities to model geotechnical heat transfer problem in a robust manner.

Performance Improvement to FE Solver 

2025.1 continues with the improvements to finite element solve times with additional optimizations to the matrix routines, resulting in solve times that are up to 20% faster for stress strain analyses.

Improved Mesh Refinement in 3D 

GeoStudio 2025.1 introduces significant improvements to 3D mesh refinement, addressing the needs of geotechnical analyses involving small geotechnical features such as thermosyphons, artificial ground freeze pipes, de-watering wells, and sand point wells. The new implementation ensures a smoother transition from fine to coarse mesh, enhancing the resolution around these features and improving the application of boundary conditions. By providing a more gradual and precise mesh refinement, the new version enhances the fidelity of results in critical areas of interest