Numerical modelling using a full finite element or finite difference analysis may be ultimately necessary but may be a heavy-handed way of seeking insight into some aspects of a problem of geotechnical behaviour. Theoretical modelling may only be possible for rather restricted problems. Macroelement modelling may be a helpful intermediate way of introducing some realistic geotechnical nonlinearity in order, for example, to compare different constitutive possibilities or perhaps just to provide a rapid 'order-of-magnitude' estimate of response against which the results of more extensive numerical modelling-or physical modelling-can be compared.
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