Name the main methods
Finite Element Method-FEM
Finite Difference Method-FDM
Boundary Element Method-BEM
Discrete Element Method-DEM
Coupled FEM/BEM
Name method and software
FEM-Abaqus, Plaxis, Zsoil, SageCRISP
FDM-FLAC
BEM-BEASY, GPBEST
DEM-FLAC
Advantages of FEM
-Plenty of available commercial packages
-Any shape of domain can be modelled, including holes
-Staged construction is easily modelled
-Most popular due to ease of use
Disadvantages of FEM
Advantages of FDM
Disadvantages of FDM
Advantages of BEM
Disadvantages of BEM
Advantages of DEM
Disadvantages of DEM
Advantages of Coupled FEM/BEM
Disadvantages of Coupled FEM/BEM