To carry out a finite element analysis using PLAXIS, the user has to create a finite
element model and specify the material properties and boundary conditions. This is done
in the Input program. To set up a finite element model, the user must create a two-
dimensional geometry model composed of points, lines and other components, in the x-
y-plane. The generation of an appropriate finite element mesh and the generation of
properties and boundary conditions on an element level is automatically performed by
the PLAXIS mesh generator based on the input of the geometry model. Users may also
customise the finite element mesh in order to gain optimum performance. The final part
of the input comprises the generation of water pressures and initial effective stresses to
set the initial state.