Combined application of numerical codes for the mechanical simulation of salt caverns. The numerical methods are probably the best solution tools geomechanics has today far the solution of stress analysis problems. ln the paper is discussed about two codes, used recently by the authors, in the field of application of stress analysis of solution mined salt cavities. Then there is a brief presentation of EXAMINE, a 3D BEM numerical code, able to perform spatial analysis of elastic behavior of structures. lts pe1jormances are witnessed by the results of the studies developed in the DJCAMP of the University of Trieste (ltaly). The study has been conducted on the basis of experimental tests data and other information were deducted from solution mining world-wide literature. A finite difference numerical code (FLAC) has been adopted especially for the simulation of viscoplastic field of deformation. In the second part of the paper there is a presentation of the results and of the methodologies followed in simulating different pressurisation in the caverns, involving elastic analysis. The main objectives of this section were the classification of the numerical solution in order to qualify model deviations from reality and the ability to quantify the caverns stress reaction developed against the different boundary conditions.
