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FLAC & FLAC3D for Earthquake & Dynamic Analyses

In this course, the procedure of fully dynamic analysis using FLAC and FLAC3D programs as powerful numerical modeling tools based on the finite difference method will be presented. Both 2D and 3D analysis procedures will be demonstrated. Several topics including model development, earthquake loading, dynamic boundary conditions, assignment of soil dynamic properties to the numerical models, and seismic response analysis will be discussed.

February 1 to March 31, 2026 | Fees: $1,390
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➤ Lectures are designed to provide modeling and analysis procedue of FLAC and FLAC3D for new users.
➤ Participants will learn how to develop and analyze geotechnical problems before dynamic analysis.
➤ No need for previous knowledge of FLAC and FLAC3D is required.

Course Schedule

• Course Start Date: February 1, 2026

• Course End Date: March 31, 2026

• Live Q&A Session 1: February 14, 2026 1:00 pm CT

• Live Q&A Session 2: March 14, 2026 1:00 pm CT

• Exam Return Due: April 15, 2026 (only for participants seeking certificate)

• One year full access to the course materials from the course start date

Course Highlights

• Full access to 18 hours of lecture videos
• Live question and answer sessions
• Handouts of reference codes used in dynamic analysis in FLAC and FLAC3D
• Full access to lecture notes
• Solved practical examples
• Lifetime membership of LinkedIn private computational geotechnics group
• Certificate and 18 PDH credits

Itasca Software

Demo and educational versions (with limits on the number of elements in the model) of FLAC and FLAC3D will be used during the course. Guidelines will be provided to students for installing and using the programs.

Certificate

Certificates will be awarded to the participants upon successful completion of the course requirements and passing the course exam. The certificate includes 18 PDH credits.

Tools Used

FLAC: 2D Finite Difference Analysis
FLAC3D: 3D Finite Difference Analysis
Seismosignal

Instructor

 Siavash Zamiran, Ph.D., P.E.
Dr. Zamiran is a geotechnical and geomechanics engineer with over than 15 years of industry and academic experience in different geotechnical and petroleum engineering disciplines. Currently, Dr. Zamiran is a geotechnical/geomechanics consultant, founder and instructor at Mohr Academy, and Senior Lecturer at University of Houston. Dr. Zamiran is a member of ASCE Geo-Institute Computational Geotechnics Committee. He was the winner of national ASCE Edmund Friedman Award in 2019 and ASCE St. Louis Young Engineer Award in 2018. 

Course Outline

• Introduction to numerical modeling in geotechnical engineering using FLAC and FLAC3D
• Model development and static analysis procedure prior to dynamic analysis in both FLAC and FLAC3D
• Overview of dynamic analysis procedure and seismic considerations
• Pseudo-static seismic analysis procedure
• Seismic boundary conditions including quiet and free field boundaries
• Earthquake dynamic loading in both rigid and flexible bases
• Dynamic loading of vibratory structures and blast events
• Baseline correction and frequency filtering of earthquake loads using SeismoSignal
• Material damping modeling using local, Rayleigh, and hysteretic damping models
• Using FISH programing language for dynamic analysis
• Pore water pressure modeling and liquefaction analysis procedure
• Considerations for liquefaction analysis and advanced constitutive models for liquefaction modeling including Finn-Byrne and UBCSAND

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES
• Pseudo-Static Seismic Analysis of a Shallow Footing 
• Baseline Correction and Frequency Filtering of Loma Prieta Earthquake Using SeismoSignal Program
• Earthquake Analysis of a Cantilever Retaining Wall 
• Liquefaction Analysis of an Embankment Dam Using Finn-Byrne Constitutive Model
• Dynamic Analysis of a Vibratory Foundation
• Three-Dimensional Earthquake Analysis of an Underground Circular Tunnel
• Three-Dimensional Blast (Explosion) Analysis Using Friedlander Waveform Function
• Three-Dimensional Dam Foundation Analysis
• Earthquake Loading and Analysis of a Pile-Supported Wharf

What our participants say about Mohr Academy courses…

Markus H., Geomechanics Engineer, Germany

"Anyone with solid background and knowledge, looking for practical experience in geomechanical modelling, will find the courses and materials very robust and usefull."

Bela S., Reservoir Engineer, Germany

"It was really helpful to learn about the usage of the widely used numerical software packages in the industry and how they can handle praxis-oriented geomechanical problems on a theoretical basis."

Ahmed A., Petroleum Engineering Ph.D. Student, USA

"As a beginner in FLAC3D I found the course content and the examples explained very helpful. The course materials and lectures were made accessible at all times during the course."

Kasgin K. B., Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Worley

"I took dynamic and earthquake modelling in FLAC course and enjoyed it very much. The videos presented by course's instructor, Dr. Zamiran, were very comprehensive and informative. The course was organized in a way to walk you through from fundamentals to practical examples. I recommend this course to anyone seeking intermediate level introduction to earthquake/dynamic modelling in FLAC."

Fedilberto G. A., Ph.D. Candidate at Queen's University

I have had the opportunity to assist several online courses offered by great companies and my experience had been satisfactory. On December 26th, I finished the course called "FLAC-Dynamic analysis" which is offered by Mohr Academy. I just want to mention that it has been my best experience with online courses so far. Difficult concepts were explained in a very simple way. Also, the variety of topics was beyond my expectation. This course had numerous hours of high-quality content. The quantity of online hours that this course offers is a great advantage.

Itasca Training Partner

Mohr Academy is an Itasca Training Partner, providing a variety of courses on FLAC, FLAC3D, UDEC, 3DEC, Griddle, PFC, and XSite programs in different disciplines. As a training partner we provide temporary Itasca software licenses to our course participants through Itasca International Inc.  

Course Detailed Outline

Course Introduction and Notes

Welcome to the Course!
Preview
Course Agreement
Preview
Software Notes and Installation
Preview
Course Format
Course Outline
Section 0.mp4

Section 1. Introduction of Numerical Modeling

Section 1 Outline
Section 1 Lecture
Preview
Handout - Section 1 Introduction

Section 2. Numerical Methods and Tools

Section 2 Outline
Section 2-1 Lecture
Section 2-2 Lecture
Handout - Section 2 Numerical Tools

Section 3. Introduction to FLAC

Section 3 Outline
Section 3-1.mp4
Section 3-2.mp4
Section 3-3.mp4
Section 3-4.mp4
Section 3-5.mp4
Section 3-6.mp4
Handout - Section 3 Introduction to FLAC
Example 3.1.txt

Section 4. Overview of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

Section 4 Outline
Section 4.mp4
Handout - Section 4 Overview of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

Section 5. Seismic Data Collection and Signal Preprocessing

Section 5 Outline
Section 5-1.mp4
Section 5-2.mp4
Handout - Section 5 Seismic Data Collection and Signal Preprocessing.pdf
Example 5.1 Processed Data of Loma Prieta Earthquake.xlsx
SeismoSignal Tutorial

Setion 6. Dynamic Analysis in FLAC

Section 6 Outline
Section 6-1.mp4
Section 6-2.mp4
Section 6-3 Base Boundary and Deconvolution Part I.mp4
Section 6-4 Base Boundary and Deconvolution Part II.mp4
Section 6-5 Side Boundary Conditions.mp4
Section 6-6 Material Damping Part I.mp4
Section 6-7 Material Damping Part II.mp4
Section 6-8 Material Damping Part III.mp4
Section 6-9 Material Damping Part IV.mp4
Section 6-10 Accurate Wave Propagation.mp4
Section 6-11 Retaining Wall Example Part I.mp4
Section 6-12 Retaining Wall Example Part II.mp4
Section 6-13 Code Reference for Dynamic Analysis.mp4
Section 6-14 Retaining Wall Example Part III.mp4
Section 6-15 Retaining Wall Example Part IV.mp4
Handout - Section 6 Dynamic Analysis in FLAC Part I.pdf
Handout - Section 6 Dynamic Analysis in FLAC Part II.pdf
Section 6 Reading Assignments
Section 6 Files

Section 7. Liquefaction Analysis in FLAC

Section 7-1 Introduction to Liquefaction.mp4
Section 7-2 Liquefaction Analysis Using Finn Model.mp4
Section 7-3 Embankment Dam Example Part I.mp4
Section 7-4 Embankment Dam Example Part II.mp4
Section 7-5 Embankment Dam Example Part III.mp4
Section 7-6 Embankment Dam Example Part IV.mp4
Section 7-7 Embankment Dam Example Part V.mp4
Section 7-8 Embankment Dam Example Part VI.mp4
Handout - Section 7 Liquefaction Analysis.pdf
Section 7 Reading Assignments
Example 7.1 Liquefaction Analysis of an Embankment Dam.txt

Section 8. Introduction to FISH Programming Language

Section 8-1 Introduction to FISH.mp4
Handout - Section 8 Introduction to FISH.pdf

Section 9. Analysis of Vibratory Foundations

Section 9-1 Analysis of Vibratory Foundations.mp4
Section 9-2 Analysis of Vibratory Foundations.mp4
Section 9-3 Harmonic Loading for Earthquake.mp4
Handout - Section 9 Analysis of Vibratory Foundations.pdf
Note on Example 9.1
Example 9.1 Vibratory Foundation.txt

Section 10. Dynamic Analysis in FLAC3D

Section 10-1 FLAC3D Introduction Part I.mp4
Section 10-2 FLAC3D Introduction Part II.mp4
Section 10-3 FLAC3D Introduction Part III.mp4
Section 10-4 FLAC3D Introduction Part IV.mp4
Section 10-5 FLAC3D Introduction Part V.mp4
Section 10-6 FLAC3D Introduction Part VI.mp4
Section 10-7 Dynamic Codes in FLAC3D.mp4
Section 10-8 Seismic Analysis of a Tunnel Part I.mp4
Section 10-9 Seismic Analysis of a Tunnel Part II.mp4
Section 10-10 Blast Analysis on a Spherical Crater Part I.mp4
Section 10-11 Blast Analysis on a Spherical Crater Part II.mp4
Handout - Section 10 Dynamic Analysis in FLAC3D Part I.pdf
Handout - Section 10 Dynamic Analysis in FLAC3D Part II.pdf
Example 10.1 Shallow Foundation.txt
Example 10.2 Dynamic Analysis of a Tunnel.txt
Example 10.3 Blast Analysis.txt
earthquake_vel.his

Section 11. Additional Examples and Reading Assignments

FLAC. Recommended Steps for Seismic Analyses.pdf
FLAC. Seismic Analysis of an Embankment Dam.pdf
FLAC. Earthquake Loading of a Pile-Supported Wharf.pdf
FLAC. Hysteretic Model for Non-liquefiable Soils, UBCHYST
FLAC. Using Interfaces for Fault Modeling.pdf
FLAC3D. Dam Foundation Analysis.pdf
Flac700.msi

Section 12. Question and Answer Sessions

Section 12-1 Questions and Answers Part I.mp4
Section 12-2 Questions and Answers Part II.mp4
Section 12-3 Quations and Answers Part III.mp4
Section 12-3 Quations and Answers Part IV.mp4
Q&A 2022-07-05.mp4

Final Notes, Certificate, and Exam

Thank you for taking the course!
FLAC Dynamic Exam File.docx