To simulate the strain localization in the failure process of geomaterials

a model with embedded localized softening bands incorporating into the idea of strong discontinuities is presented. Based on the virtual work principle

the equilibrium equations of FEM considering the effect of localization deformation are established; and the bifurcation theory is adopted as the criterion of onset of strain localization. The model can describe the mechanism of pre-localization and post-localization continuously by regarding localization as a viscoplastic flow procedure. The main advantages of this algorithm are that the model needs little amount of computation

and it has exact physical meaning compared with other methods. Furthermore

it can be incorporated into the conventional finite element analysis procedure. Numerical results have been carried out to show the validity of the model.