Software Notes and Installation

Notes on Itasca Programs
In this course, we are going to use FLAC programs for the modeling and analysis. Please note that we currently have three versions of FLAC:

• FLAC Software: This is a 2D version of FLAC developed by Itasca Group (software developer). We write FLAC "codes" to develop models and run analysis. FLAC also has some user-interface options for developing and running models. FLAC codes are specific to FLAC but they have some similarities with FLAC2D and FLAC3D codes.

• FLAC2D Software: This is a newer version provided by Itasca for 2D modeling. FLAC2D codes and the modeling procedure is very similar to FLAC3D software. One knowing FLAC3D codes, would be able to easily model and run analysis in FLAC2D.

• FLAC3D Software: This is the 3D version of FLAC developed by Itasca.

In this course, we are going to develop models and discuss problems in FLAC and FLAC3D. We consider a user can easily implement codes of FLAC3D to FLAC2D with minor code adjustments.

Notes on Licenses

Itasca used to provide a 1-month free educational license (with full commercial capabilities) to FLAC learners. However, this policy has been changes and they no longer provide such 1-month licenses. Therefore, we need to use the demo versions of FLAC, FLAC2D, and FLAC3D. The demo versions of the products have all the capabilities of the full commercial versions with the exception that in demo versions you can only develop and analyze models with certain amount of elements (normally 600 to 1000 elements). This would be a restriction if you want to model and analyze a real case problem in your consulting or academic activities. However, the restriction should not make problems for you during learning the software and codes. Therefore, you can just download programs, install them, and use the demo versions for educational purposes (with understanding that you can only run models up to 600 elements for FLAC and 1000 elements for FLAC2D and FLAC3D).

FLAC Installation and Running the Demo Version

1. Download FLAC software: You can download any version of FLAC. Most of the FLAC codes work in different FLAC versions. Here is the link where you can download FLAC Version 8.1 (File name: flac810_490.msi):

   https://www.itascacg.com/software/downloads/flac-8-10-update

2. Install FLAC on your system. 

3. Run the program. After running the program, you will see a dark DAS-based window (See Figure 1).

4. In the dark window, type the letter “C”. This allows you to run the program in demo mode. 

5. FLAC Graphic User Interface (GUI) will be opened. You can now use FLAC under demo version.

FLAC3D Installation and Running the Demo Version

1. Download demo version of FLAC3D software 7.00:

   https://www.itascacg.com/software/downloads/flac3d-7-00-update

2. Install the demo version of FLAC3D software (file name: flac3d700_161.msi).

3. Once downloaded, start the program. Close any pop-up windows.

FLAC2D Installation for Using the Demo Version

1. The demo version of FLAC2D is available in Itasca Website.  

2. Download demo version of FLAC2D software:

   https://www.itascacg.com/contact-itasca/demos

3. Install the demo version of FLAC2D software.

4. Once downloaded, start the program.

All Other Itasca Programs and Their Recent Versions

If you would like to explore other Itasca programs, you can download the programs and use their demo versions from the following link:

https://www.itascacg.com/contact-itasca/demos

Figure 1. DAS-based window on FLAC