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Mining & Resources · head to head

3DEC vs RS2

3

3DEC

Mining & Resources

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RS2 logo

RS2

Mining & Resources

2D finite element stress analysis for mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; RS2 the RS2 product page shows a USD per year pricing block with no figure filled in, so the annual lease cost is not published
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and RS2 actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and RS2 differ
Attribute3DECRS2
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows
Founded19811989

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining & Resources).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3DEC

  • 3D distinct element analysis
  • Block motion tracking
  • Contact detection
  • Support design
  • Dynamic simulation
  • FLAC3D
  • Leapfrog
  • Vulcan

Only in RS2

  • 2D finite element analysis
  • Stress-strain modeling
  • Slope stability assessment
  • Bolt design
  • Support sizing
  • AutoCAD
  • GeoStudio
  • RocData

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3DEC

  • Three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materialsnot RS2
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot RS2
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot RS2
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot RS2
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot RS2

RS2

  • Two dimensional finite element analysis of slopes, excavations and tunnelsnot 3DEC
  • Modelling groundwater seepage and consolidation in geotechnical designsnot 3DEC
  • Assessing rock and soil stability for mining and civil engineering projectsnot 3DEC

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3DEC

  • Pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options
  • A specialist geomechanical tool rather than general purpose simulation, so it assumes the user is a rock mechanics engineer

RS2

  • The RS2 product page shows a USD per year pricing block with no figure filled in, so the annual lease cost is not published
  • RS2 is sold only as an annual cloud hosted lease; the page describes no perpetual licence
  • The Personal Lease is one seat tied to one user device; using it across several machines requires the Flexible+ lease
  • Hosting licences on a local server rather than Rocscience's RocPortal requires contacting the vendor

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

On request
  • 3DEC Professional$25000/year
    • 3D distinct element analysis
    • Block-to-block interaction
    • Support installation modeling

RS2

On request
  • RS2 Standard$11000/year
    • 2D finite element analysis
    • Slope stability
    • Excavation design

Which should you pick?

Choose 3DEC if

  • You need 3d distinct element analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want block motion tracking.
3DEC review

Choose RS2 if

  • You need 2d finite element analysis.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want stress-strain modeling.
RS2 review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or RS2 better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and RS2 at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or RS2?
3DEC starts at On request and RS2 at On request.
Does 3DEC or RS2 run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. RS2 runs on Windows.
What is 3DEC best used for?
3DEC is most often used for three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials, slope stability and pillar analysis for mining, blast and earthquake dynamic analysis, groundwater flow through fractured rock. Of those, three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials and slope stability and pillar analysis for mining are not what RS2 is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that RS2 cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis, Stress-strain modeling, Slope stability assessment, Bolt design. Both handle Windows support.
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