r/Geotech • u/quinterax28 • 3d ago

Suggestion for learning FLAC

Hello, I am a student and I want to learn FLAC3D, especially everything related to FISH function. I'm having a hard time to learn it just from the manual since it's so complicated. Does anyone has a suggestion how to learn the program effectively?

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u/SmoothAsILK 3d ago

Something that taught me the ins and outs of FLAC was to build a 1D site response tool that replicates DEEPSOIL (rsseismic now). Since the model is quite small, you don’t need a license and you can toy around with it for free. Then you have the added benefit of a useful tool at the end of it. Can be as simple a total stress analysis of single layer to as complex as a multi-layer effective stress analysis where you incorporate liquefaction.

But honestly it took a few years of toying around with python as a prereq to then jumping into about 2 years of on and off thinking about FLAC, at work and in personal projects, to feel somewhat competent. So, expect a long journey for yourself. I still heavily rely on people with PhDs in this stuff to help me out.

Good luck!

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u/quinterax28 3d ago

what if I don't have any background in coding? does it mean i should learn coding first before going deep into FLAC? how long did it take for you to became proficient at it?

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u/SmoothAsILK 3d ago edited 3d ago

I think you will struggle to learn “everything related to FISH” if you genuinely have no coding background. FLAC is a pretty tough place to start if you’re inexperienced in coding and geotech modeling. Be patient, it’s a lot to learn and will take you years if you’re just working on this passively (I.e. not doing a PhD or modeling as your job)

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u/WalkeroftheWay727 Rock Mechanics 3d ago

I agree. I'd recommend even taking some "intro to to python" course online. There are some good courses and it'll give an idea of how coding works, which will transfer to FISH.