Software · head to head
Whittle vs FLAC3D
F
FLAC3D
Software
3D finite difference software for geotechnical engineering
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Whittle the Internet Archive's capture of Dassault Systemes' GEOVIA Whittle page on 20 January 2021 named it as one of seven distinct GEOVIA mining products (alongside Surpac, GEMS, Minex, MineSched, PCBC, InSite), sold via a 'How to buy' contact process with no price figure published.; FLAC3D the FLAC3D product page publishes no price and routes buyers to a quote request or an external software store
- They diverge on capability: Whittle covers Pit optimization, FLAC3D covers 3D finite difference modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Whittle and FLAC3D actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (1981).
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 Whittle
- Pit optimization
- NPV maximization
- Cutoff grade analysis
- Pushback design
- Economic modeling
- Surpac
- MineSched
- PCBC
Only in FLAC3D
- 3D finite difference modeling
- Stress-strain analysis
- Dynamic analysis
- Coupled flow analysis
- Mining-specific features
- GeoStudio
- AutoCAD
- Leapfrog
Both cover
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Whittle
- Pit optimizationnot FLAC3D
- Strategic planningnot FLAC3D
- Feasibility studiesnot FLAC3D
- Economic analysisnot FLAC3D
- Scenario comparisonnot FLAC3D
FLAC3D
- Three dimensional continuum modelling of soil and rock behaviournot Whittle
- Analysing underground excavation and mine stability including cavingnot Whittle
- Coupled thermal, dynamic and creep analysis of geotechnical structuresnot Whittle
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Whittle
- The Internet Archive's capture of Dassault Systemes' GEOVIA Whittle page on 20 January 2021 named it as one of seven distinct GEOVIA mining products (alongside Surpac, GEMS, Minex, MineSched, PCBC, InSite), sold via a 'How to buy' contact process with no price figure published.
FLAC3D
- The FLAC3D product page publishes no price and routes buyers to a quote request or an external software store
- Advanced capabilities including Dynamics, Thermal, Creep and IMASS are optional modules sold separately from the base licence
- Licence portability depends on a physical USB key or a web licence managed centrally, rather than a simple sign in
- One licence permits only two simultaneous instances on the same computer
Pricing, plan by plan
Whittle
On request- Whittle Standard$15000/year
- Pit optimization
- Economic analysis
- Multiple scenarios
- Whittle Enterprise$25000/year
- Advanced optimization
- Scheduling integration
- NPV maximization
FLAC3D
On request- FLAC3D Professional$22000/year
- 3D finite difference analysis
- Slope stability
- Mine design
Which should you pick?
Choose Whittle if
- You need pit optimization.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want npv maximization.
Choose FLAC3D if
- You need 3d finite difference modeling.
- You work on Windows, Linux.
- You also want stress-strain analysis.
Questions people ask
- Is Whittle or FLAC3D better?
- Neither clearly leads. Whittle starts at On request and FLAC3D at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Whittle or FLAC3D?
- Whittle starts at On request and FLAC3D at On request.
- Does Whittle or FLAC3D run on more platforms?
- Whittle runs on Windows. FLAC3D runs on Windows, Linux.
- What is Whittle best used for?
- Whittle is most often used for pit optimization, strategic planning, feasibility studies, economic analysis. Of those, pit optimization and strategic planning are not what FLAC3D is typically brought in for.
- What can Whittle do that FLAC3D cannot?
- Whittle covers Pit optimization, NPV maximization, Cutoff grade analysis, Pushback design. FLAC3D covers 3D finite difference modeling, Stress-strain analysis, Dynamic analysis, Coupled flow analysis. Both handle Windows support.