Overview

Since 1980, Itasca has pioneered the use and development of numerical modelling codes for solving problems in geomechanics and hydrology. The result is a set of six codes that provide unparalleled speed, power and proven capability for handling such problems. The user-base for Itasca software includes over 5000 licenses of Itasca codes located in over 42 countries encompassing the mining, oil & gas and construction sectors, consultants in rock and soil mechanics and university and government researchers worldwide. The Itasca codes are used for design of major mining and civil construction projects, design of nuclear waste repositories and oil-reservoir treatment programs, and have been used in a large portion of rock mechanics research projects worldwide. Their modelling capabilities are used at all stages of project development from design through analysis and understanding of phenomena observed at the site to the prediction and diagnostics of future behaviour.

The suite of Itasca codes is under constant development and new versions are released on average every two to three years. Development of all software is governed by input from Itasca's consulting practices. Consequently, clients are assured that these numerical modelling codes are practical, efficient analysis tools with a proven record of solutions to real-world problems.

FLAC and FLAC3D: Explicit two and three-dimensional finite-difference codes for advanced continuum modelling for geotechnical analysis of rock, soil and structural support. These codes are ideal for modelling geomechanical problems that consist of several stages, such as sequential excavation, backfilling and seismic loading. The codes simulate the behaviour of structures built of soil, rock or other materials that undergo inelastic deformation when their yield limits are reached.

UDEC and 3DEC: Two and three-dimensional distinct element codes for modelling the static or dynamic response of discontinuous systems (such as a jointed rock masses) including geotechnical analysis of rock, soil and structural support. The codes address the engineering problems associated with a range of applications including mining, studies of underground isolation of radioactive materials, energy resource recovery, stability analysis of dams on jointed rock foundations, earthquake and seismology studies and underground structures in jointed rock.

PFC2D and PFC3D: Two and three-dimensional distinct element codes for modelling the movement and interaction of assemblies of arbitrarily sized particles (circular particles in 2D and spherical in 3D) for the micromechanical analysis of geomaterials and particulate systems. The codes create an ideal environment for study of the behaviour of synthetic materials, modelling bulk flow and mixing materials and studies of micro and macro-cracking in solid bodies, including damage accumulation leading to fracture, dynamic breakage and seismic response.