Within the framework of the VIGONI program me 2012/13, the DAAD has recently approved a 2-year cooperation project between the Institute for Structural Mechanics of Ruhr University Bochum and Prof. Carlo Callari, Faculty of Engineering at University of Molise, Italy. In the project, a new finite element model for the description of propagating shear band zones in fully and partially saturated soft soils is to be developed. Based on the so-called strong discontinuity approach (SDA), new propagation criteria are to be investigated that are feasible to simulate the propagation of localized shear bands. The interactions between the shear band zone and the pore water will be taken into account.