• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.83-88
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• 2019

Structural analysis remains as an essential part of any integrated civil engineering system in today's rapidly changing computing environment. Even with enormous advancements in capabilities of computers and mobile tools, enhancing computational efficiency of algorithms is necessary to meet the changing demands for quick real time response systems. The finite element method is still the most widely used method of computational structural analysis; a robust, reliable and automated finite element structural analysis module is essential in a modern integrated structural engineering system. To be a part of an automated finite element structural analysis, an efficient adaptive mesh generation scheme based on R-H refinement for the mesh and error estimates from representative strain values at Gauss points is described. A coefficient that depends on the shape of element is used to correct overly distorted elements. Two simple case studies show the validity and computational efficiency. The scheme is appropriate for nonlinear and dynamic problems in earthquake engineering which generally require a huge number of iterative computations.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2024

An automated dynamic structural analysis module stands as a crucial element within a structural integrated mitigation system. This module must deliver prompt real-time responses to enable timely actions, such as evacuation or warnings, in response to the severity posed by the structural system. The finite element method, a widely adopted approximate structural analysis approach globally, owes its popularity in part to its user-friendly nature. However, the computational efficiency and accuracy of results depend on the user-provided finite element mesh, with the number of elements and their quality playing pivotal roles. This paper introduces a computationally efficient adaptive mesh generation scheme that optimally combines the h-method of node movement and the r-method of element division for mesh refinement. Adaptive mesh generation schemes automatically create finite element meshes, and in this case, representative strain values for a given mesh are employed for error estimates. When applied to dynamic problems analyzed in the time domain, meshes need to be modified at each time step, considering a few hundred or thousand steps. The algorithm's specifics are demonstrated through a standard cantilever beam example subjected to a concentrated load at the free end. Additionally, a portal frame example showcases the generation of various robust meshes. These examples illustrate the adaptive algorithm's capability to produce robust meshes, ensuring reasonable accuracy and efficient computing time. Moreover, the study highlights the potential for the scheme's effective application in complex structural dynamic problems, such as those subjected to seismic or erratic wind loads. It also emphasizes its suitability for general nonlinear analysis problems, establishing the versatility and reliability of the proposed adaptive mesh generation scheme.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2023

The structural analysis module is an essential part of any integrated structural system. Diverse integrated systems today require, from the analysis module, efficient real-time responses to real-time input such as earthquake signals, extreme weather-related forces, and man-made accidents. An integrated system may also be for the entire life span of a civil structure conceived during the initial conception, developed throughout various design stages, effectively used in construction, and utilized during usage and maintenance. All these integrated systems' essential part is the structural analysis module, which must be automated and computationally efficient so that responses may be almost immediate. The finite element method is often used for structural analysis, and for automation, many effective finite element meshes must be automatically generated for a given analysis. A computationally efficient finite element mesh generation scheme based on the r-h method of mesh refinement using strain deviations from the values at the Gauss points as error estimates from the previous mesh is described. Shape factors are used to sort out overly distorted elements. A standard cantilever beam analyzed by four-node plane stress elements is used as an example to show the effectiveness of the automated algorithm for a time-domain dynamic analysis. Although recent developments in computer hardware and software have made many new applications in integrated structural systems possible, structural analysis still needs to be executed efficiently in real-time. The algorithm applies to diverse integrated systems, including nonlinear analyses and general dynamic problems in earthquake engineering.