Abstract
Finite element methods are well-established for modelling problems in geotechnics involving elasto-plastic constitutive models. However, meshless methods could offer some advantages for problems involving finite deformations as the mesh entanglement problem is then removed. In addition, major savings could be made in the pre-processing stage for 3D problems. Both of these features are of interest to geotechnical modellers. In this paper we review the use of meshless methods for modelling plasticity, highlighting some potential problems particular to the methods' formulations. We then demonstrate the use of a recently developed hybrid method based on the meshless local Petrov-Galerkin method for some simple examples in elasto-plasticity and show that there are important issues to be considered. Finally we comment briefly on the amendments required for modelling finite deformation, which are underway.