PLAXIS bv is based on the finite element method and intended for 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional engineering, design and analysis of soil and rock deformation and stability, soil-structure interaction, groundwater, and heat flow. The software is capable of computing static and seismic response of complex engineering problem such as tunnels, piles foundations, bridge piers, etc.

The development of the software was initiated by a research team at the Technical University of Delft, Netherlands in 1970s. Today, the program is widely used in all over the world in Asia, America, and Europe.