Question 1

What is GEO5 and how is the suite structured?

Accepted Answer

GEO5 is a modular geotechnical engineering suite from Fine Software made up of individual programs, each purpose-built for one task — retaining walls, foundations, piles, slope stability, sheeting, settlement, FEM, tunnels and site stratigraphy. You licence only the programs your practice needs, and they all share a common interface, soil database and data clipboard.

Question 2

How many programs does GEO5 include?

Accepted Answer

GEO5 spans roughly 40 individual programs across retaining structures, shallow and deep foundations, slope stability, excavations/sheeting, settlement, FEM and geological stratigraphy. The exact count depends on the edition/package; Fine markets it in Professional, Basic, Foundation, Excavation and Retaining-Wall packages.

Question 3

Which design codes and standards does GEO5 support?

Accepted Answer

GEO5 supports Eurocode 7 (EN 1997 with national annexes), US LRFD/AASHTO and Chinese GB standards, plus local standards such as Indian IS, British BS, German DIN, Russian SNiP and Spanish CTE. It ships with more than 70 predefined country settings, and analyses can be run as safety-factor (ASD), limit-state (LSD) or LRFD.

Question 4

Does GEO5 work for Indian projects and IS codes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Indian IS standards are among the built-in local settings, and GEO5 is widely used in India for retaining-wall and foundation work (with RC verification commonly to IS 456 and foundation practice referencing IS 1904). For a specific module, confirm the exact IS-code coverage in the program's settings — partial factors and design rules are fully configurable.

Question 5

Can I switch a project between Eurocode and LRFD?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A defining feature of GEO5 is that the analysis standard and partial safety factors are kept separate from the geotechnical input, so you can re-verify the same model against a different code or design approach without rebuilding the project.

Question 6

Is GEO5 only limit-equilibrium, or does it do FEM?

Accepted Answer

Both. Most GEO5 programs use analytical and limit-equilibrium methods for fast, code-based design, while a separate FEM engine (with consolidation, water-flow, earthquake and tunnel modules) handles stress-deformation problems. The FEM modules are analysis/simulation tools rather than direct code member-design.

Question 7

Can GEO5 import CPT, SPT and borehole data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GEO5 has dedicated CPT-based programs (Spread Footing CPT, Pile CPT) that design directly from cone-penetration data, and the Stratigraphy program imports borehole/field-test data to build 3D ground models and cross-sections that feed the design modules.

Question 8

What CAD and BIM formats does GEO5 support?

Accepted Answer

GEO5 imports and exports DXF, DWG and DGN CAD files, IFC for BIM, and LandXML for terrain/strata surfaces. It also reads standardised geotechnical data formats such as the British AGS and German SEP3.

Question 9

What kind of output and reports does GEO5 produce?

Accepted Answer

GEO5 generates transparent engineering reports showing the full calculation chain — input, formulas, partial factors and results — formatted to a standard suitable for regulatory submittal and peer review, with drawings exportable to CAD.

Question 10

Who develops GEO5?

Accepted Answer

GEO5 is developed by Fine spol. s r.o. (Fine Civil Engineering Software) of the Czech Republic, a specialist developer of geotechnical and structural engineering software (finesoftware.eu).

Question 11

Is GEO5 a subscription now? What happened to perpetual licences and maintenance?

Accepted Answer

As of the 2026 edition, Fine has moved GEO5 to a subscription model. Existing maintenance customers were transitioned to subscription automatically at a significant discount, and perpetual licences remain available through a subscription-first ordering process. If you hold an older perpetual licence or a maintenance agreement, contact RAM CADDSYS and we will clarify exactly what your renewal looks like under the new model.

Question 12

Does GEO5 offer 3D finite element analysis?

Accepted Answer

No — all GEO5 analyses are fundamentally 2D (plane-strain or axisymmetric), including the FEM engine. The Stratigraphy program builds 3D ground models for site interpretation, but design and FEM analysis run on 2D sections. If your project genuinely requires 3D FEM, ask RAM CADDSYS about the appropriate tool for the job — for questions such as pile-raft modelling we can advise whether GEO5's FEM or Pile Group module fits, or whether you need a different product.

Question 13

Are academic or educational licences available for GEO5?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Fine offers educational packages for universities — for example department-wide subscriptions covering up to 10 users for teaching and research. RAM CADDSYS supplies GEO5 academic licensing in India, including quotation for institutional procurement processes. Contact us for academic pricing.

Question 14

Is GEO5 available in India through RAM CADDSYS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. RAM CADDSYS supplies GEO5 in India, including software licensing, training and technical engineering support. Reach out for a demo, a module/edition recommendation for your project type, and a quotation.

Criterion	GEO5 design programs	GEO5 FEM engine
Method	GEO5 design programsAnalytical and limit-equilibrium (Bishop, Spencer, Janbu, Morgenstern-Price)	GEO5 FEM engineFinite-element stress-deformation analysis
Best for	Fast, code-based design of walls, foundations, piles, sheeting and slopes	Consolidation, water flow, earthquake and tunnel problems beyond limit equilibrium
Code checks	Strength: Direct verification to Eurocode 7, LRFD, GB, IS and other national standards	Analysis and simulation results that inform design rather than direct member checks
Typical output	Submittal-grade reports with the full calculation chain	Stress, deformation and stability fields for engineering judgement

ComprehensiveGeotechnicalEngineeringSoftwareSuite

What is GEO5?

Where GEO5 works

Retaining wall & basement / excavation design

Slope stability & landslide mitigation

Settlement & consolidation studies

Tunnels, shafts & underground works

GEO5 at work

Supported codes and standards

India

Connected to your workflow

GEO5 design programs vs the GEO5 FEM engine

Looking for GEO5 Training?

License Types

Perpetual License

Subscription License

Frequently Asked Questions

Put GEO5 to work
on your next project.

Pairs well with GEO5

PLAXIS

OPTUM G2

OPTUM G3

ALIZE LCPC