Workshops - Improve your skills & enhance your productivity

We provide a number of different options for training in geotechnical modeling. Ranging from short customer visits, to in-depth workshops, we can show you how to use our software to solve your toughest problems; faster and more efficiently.

Our workshops are taught by the experienced geotechnical engineer-developers who developed the Rocscience software. We offer different levels of training, for the beginner to the advanced user.

  • Customized Workshops
  • Available in our office or yours
  • A wide range of topics available

If none of our Rocscience Workshops seem quite right for your organization, we also offer customized workshops to meet your needs.

The total cost for a Customized Workshop will be based on the number of days that the course will be given and the number of days needed for preparation.

Customer Visits &
Info Sessions

We are always happy to meet with our customers and prospective customers to give an overview of the Rocscience software, and how it can be used by your organization.

If you are a current customer and are thinking about purchasing a new program, or if you are looking for a general overview of the Rocscience suite of programs, we can organize customer visits in our Rocscience offices, or we can come to you.

Customer visits are free of charge and can be arranged upon request, taking into account our existing commitments. For more information, please contact us.

Customized Workshops


Your group may need specific topics covered in a workshop that corresponds with the specific needs, background and experience of your group. A Customized Workshop can include specific projects that are being worked. We can emphasize particular areas of interest or combinations of software not included in the Standardized Workshop outlines listed in the table below.


  • A Customized Workshop can be given at the downtown Toronto Rocsicence office, or at our office location, if our schedule permits. Please contact us for more details and a quotation.

Standardized Workshops


We offer a range of Standardized Workshops that cover areas in rock and soil slope stability, finite element modeling, settlement and consolidation and 3D stress analysis. Training materials and temporary versions of software are provided for all participants.

  • At Our Toronto Office:

  • $3,000 USD per day
  • Maximum of 15 participants
  • Travel & hotel expenses covered by participants
  • At Your Designated Location:

  • Please contact us

We offer a 2-day workshop in Slope Stability using Slide. This course will include a review of the principles and practices typically used in slope stability modeling, as well as demonstrating how you can work with the more advanced concepts using this software.

Day 1 – Principles & Practices of Slope Stability Analysis

Module I: Overview of limit-equilibrium methods for slope stability analysis

  • Failure modes of soil and rock slopes
  • Limit-equilibrium methods
  • Overview of computer programs for limit-equilibrium analysis

Module II: Slope stability analysis

  • Model building
  • Material behavior models
  • Interpretation of results
  • Verification of models

Module III: Selection of analysis methods

  • Selection of method for locating minimum factor of safety
  • Surface optimization

Module IV: Analysis and design of reinforced slopes

  • Slope support and reinforcement measures
  • Back analysis of support force
  • Common pitfalls in slope stability analysis
Day 2 – Advanced Concepts in Slope Analysis

Module V: Groundwater analysis

  • Overview of groundwater analysis
  • Seepage analysis using the finite element method (FEM)
  • Permeability functions
  • Influence of meshes on results; mesh selection and quality
  • Tailing dam downstream slope problem

Module VI: Probabilistic and Sensitivity analysis

  • Overview of basic statistical concepts and distribution
  • Probability of failure
  • Monte Carlo and Latin hypercube simulations
  • Sensitivity analysis

Module VII: Continuum modeling of slopes

  • General concepts of FEM
  • Application of FEM to slope stability analysis
  • Gravity loading approach
  • Strength reduction approach

Module VIII: Case studies of soil and rock slopes

  • To be provided

We offer a 2-day workshop using Phase2. This course will include a review of the principles and practices typically used in finite element modeling, as well as demonstrating how you can work with the more advanced concepts using the software.

Day 1 - Principles & Practices of Finite Element Modeling

Module I: Introduction to Stress Analysis

  • Concepts of stress and strain
  • Stress-strain relationships
  • Two-dimensional analysis
  • Strength models for soil and rock masses
  • Introduction to numerical methods

Module II: Overview of Phase2

  • Introduction to the finite element method
  • Layout of Phase2
  • Features of Phase2

Module III: Elements of Geotechnical Modeling

  • Model development (construction of geometry, meshing, loads and boundary conditions, analysis options)
  • Material models and constitutive relations
  • Interpretation of results
  • Verification/validation of models
  • Tips, limitations and pitfalls in FEM Modeling

Module IV: Design of Support Systems for Excavations

  • Support types (bolts, liner, structural elements)
  • Model development
  • Interpretation of results
Day 2 – Advanced Concepts in Finite Element Modeling

Module V: Advanced Features

  • Mesh refinement and sensitivity
  • Modeling of material softening/hardening behaviour
  • Soil and rock support systems for excavations
  • Staged material softening and load splitting

Module VI: Groundwater Analysis

  • Groundwater analysis using Phase2
  • Permeability functions
  • Boundary conditions
  • Seepage analysis of staged excavations
  • Influence of meshes on results; mesh selection and quality

Module VII: Continuum Modeling of Slope Stability

  • Application of FEM to slope stability analysis
  • Advantages of FEM
  • Shear Strength Reduction approach
  • Reinforced earth slopes
  • Deep seated slope failure
  • Blocky mass rock slopes

Module VIII: Case studies in rock and soil

  • Analysis of Underground Excavations
  • Deep excavation supported by sheet piles

A 1-day workshop on the principles of rock slope engineering using Dips, Swedge, RocPlane, and RocFall. Topics include stereonets, wedge failure and analysis of rock falls.

Day 1 – Rock Slope Engineering

Module I: Introduction to Discontinuities Data Analysis

  • Geological data collection
  • Review of stereonets

Module II: Wedge Stability Analysis

  • Wedge failure modes
  • Introduction to RocPlane
  • Introduction to Swedge
  • Deterministic vs. probabilistic analysis

Module III: Rock Fall Analysis

  • Analytical formulation of rockfall
  • Rockfall movement analysis
  • Introduction to Rocfall
  • Remediation and stabilization
  • Advanced rockfall analysis techniques

Module IV: Case Studies

  • Rock and soil slope examples
  • Discussion

A 1-day workshop on the principles of settlement and consolidation analysis. Learn how to use Settle3D to calculate vertical deformation underneath loads, including wick drains and staged embankment analysis.

Day 1 – Settlement Analysis with Settle3D

Module I: Introduction to Settlement Analysis

  • Stress distribution underneath loads
  • Review of settlement calculation

Module II: Overview of Settle3D

  • Layout of Settle3D
  • Features of Settle3D

Module III: Immediate and Consolidation Settlement Analysis

  • Immediate, primary and secondary consolidation calculation
  • Examples

Module IV: Wick Drains

  • Consolidation acceleration techniques
  • Effect of wick drains
  • Discussion

Module V: Case Studies

  • Buoyancy effect
  • Staged Embankment Analysis and Design

A 2-day workshop on stress analysis and the boundary element method, with a focus on underground excavations. Learn how to use Examine3D for a wide range of applications.

Day 1 & 2 – 3D Stress Analysis for Underground Excavations

Module I: Introduction to Stress Analysis

  • Concepts of stress and strain
  • Stress-strain relationships
  • Strength models for soil and rock masses
  • Introduction to numerical methods

Module II: Introduction to BEM

  • Introduction to the boundary element method

Module III: BEM Software

  • Layout of Examine3D
  • Features of Examine3D

Module IV: Model Development

  • Discretization, elements and approximation error
  • Distribution of unknown quantities over elements
  • Stress-strain relationship (constitutive model)
  • Interpretation of results

Module V: Model Input

  • Elastic behaviour vs. plastic behaviour
  • Initial stress states
  • Boundary conditions
  • Excavation sequences
  • Applied loads

Module VI: Advanced features

  • Meshes, mesh quality and mesh sensitivity
  • Calibration and verification of results

Module VII: Case studies

  • Elastic analysis of mine-wide behaviour
  • Stress shielding effects of large excavations