• Proceeding of EDISON Challenge
• /
• 2015.03a
• /
• pp.234-238
• /
• 2015

When we use a Finite Elements Method (FEM) to solve a linear static analysis problem, number of elements need to be sufficiently small for convergence of the solution. If we analysis a part, whose curvature is varying heavily, we face to determine how small the elements size is, because the calculated stress is increased as the elements are smaller. In this case, we need to analysis with mesh insensitive method, stress linearization. We can get a solution that is not varying with the elements size if the size is smaller than a certain level. In this paper, we evaluate a pressure vessel having geometrical discontinuities using stress linearization. First, we analysis the vessel with global model, including all part of the vessel, using large shell elements. Second, we analysis the local part of the vessel, which is the small part occurring maximum stress, using small continuum elements. Last, we evaluate the safety of the pressure vessel according to the ASME Sec. VIII Div 2.

• Coupled systems mechanics
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.455-483
• /
• 2018

The study deals with physical modeling of a typical three storeyed building frame supported by a pile group of four piles ($2{\times}2$) embedded in cohesive soil mass using three dimensional finite element analysis. For the purpose of modeling, the elements such as beams, slabs and columns, of the superstructure frame; and that of the pile foundation such as pile and pile cap are descretized using twenty noded isoparametric continuum elements. The interface between the pile and the soil is idealized using sixteen node isoparametric surface element. The soil elements are modeled using eight nodes, nine nodes and twelve node continuum elements. The present study considers the linear elastic behaviour of the elements of superstructure and substructure (i.e., foundation). The soil is assumed to behave non-linear. The parametric study is carried out for studying the effect of soil- structure interaction on response of the frame on the premise of sub-structure approach. The frame is analyzed initially without considering the effect of the foundation (non-interaction analysis) and then, the pile foundation is evaluated independently to obtain the equivalent stiffness; and these values are used in the interaction analysis. The spacing between the piles in a group is varied to evaluate its effect on the interactive behaviour of frame in the context of two embedment depth ratios. The response of the frame included the horizontal displacement at the level of each storey, shear force in beams, axial force in columns along with the bending moments in beams and columns. The effect of the soil- structure interaction is observed to be significant for the configuration of the pile groups and in the context of non-linear behaviour of soil.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.269-271
• /
• 2003

A simplified analysis method is proposed in this paper, through which the deformation due to spot welding is obtained. In order to analyze the spot welding process, the finite elements are axisymmetrically modeled, and the results from them are used for analyzing the deformation of spot welded structure. It takes more little time in this simplified analysis than the analysis by 3-D continuum elements, and this analysis produces the results that nearly agree with the measured data.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.365-386
• /
• 2010

This paper presents the physical formulation of a 1D material model suitable for seismic applications. It is written within the framework of thermodynamics with internal variables that is, especially, very efficient for the phenomenological representation of material behaviors at macroscale: those of the representative elementary volume. The model can reproduce the main characteristics observed for concrete, that is nonsymetric loading rate-dependent (viscoelasticity) behavior with appearance of permanent deformations and local hysteresis (continuum plasticity), stiffness degradation (continuum damage), cracking due to displacement localization (discrete plasticity or damage). The parameters have a clear physical meaning and can thus be easily identified. Although this point is not detailed in the paper, this material model is developed to be implemented in a finite element computer program. Therefore, for the benefit of the robustness of the numerical implementation, (i) linear state equations (no local iteration required) are defined whenever possible and (ii) the conditions in which the presented model can enter the generalized standard materials class - whose elements benefit from good global and local stability properties - are clearly established. To illustrate the capabilities of this model - among them for Earthquake Engineering applications - results of some numerical applications are presented.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.195-220
• /
• 2017

Nowadays, railway system plays a significant role in transportation, conveying cargo, passengers, minerals, grains, and so forth. Railway ballasted track is a conventional railway track as can be seen all over the world. Ballast, located underneath the sleepers, is the most important elements on ballasted track, which has many functions and requires routine maintenance. Ballast needs to be maintained frequently to prevent rail buckling, settlement, misalignment so that ballast has to be modelled accurately. Continuum model was introduced to model granular material and was extended in ballast. However, ballast is a heterogeneous material with highly nonlinear behaviour. Hence, ballast could not be modelled accurately in continuum model due to the discontinuities nature and material degradation of ballast. Discrete element modelling (DEM) is proposed as an alternative approach that provides insight into constitutive model, realistic particle, and contact algorithm between each particle. DEM has been studied in many recent decades. However, there are limitations due to the high computational time and memory consumption, which cause the lack of using in high range. This paper presents a review of recent ballast modelling with benefits and drawbacks. Ballast particles are illustrated either circular, circular crump, spherical, spherical crump, super-quadric, polygonal and polyhedral. Moreover, the gaps and limitations of previous studies are also summarized. The outcome of this study will help the understanding into different ballast modelling and particle. The insight information can be used to improve ballast modelling and monitoring for condition-based track maintenance.

• Coupled systems mechanics
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.429-444
• /
• 2023

The comprehension and structural modeling of masonry constructions is fundamental to safeguard the integrity of built cultural assets and intervene through adequate actions, especially in earthquake-prone regions. Despite the availability of several modeling strategies and modern computing power, modeling masonry remains a great challenge because of still demanding computational efforts, constraints in performing destructive or semi-destructive in-situ tests, and material uncertainties. This paper investigates the shear behavior of masonry walls by applying a plane-stress FE continuum model with the Modified Masonry-like Material (MMLM). Epistemic uncertainty affecting input parameters of the MMLM is considered in a probabilistic framework. After appointing a suitable probability density function to input quantities according to prior engineering knowledge, uncertainties are propagated to outputs relying on gPCE-based surrogate models to considerably speed up the forward problem-solving. The sensitivity of the response to input parameters is evaluated through the computation of Sobol' indices pointing out the parameters more worthy to be further investigated, when dealing with the seismic assessment of masonry buildings. Finally, masonry mechanical properties are calibrated in a probabilistic setting with the Bayesian approach to the inverse problem based on the available measurements obtained from the experimental load-displacement curves provided by shear compression in-situ tests.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.401-416
• /
• 2008

The paper presents a methodology to model three-dimensional reinforced concrete members by means of embedded discontinuity elements based on the Continuum Strong Discontinuous Approach (CSDA). Mixture theory concepts are used to model reinforced concrete as a 3D composite material constituted of concrete with long fibers (rebars) bundles oriented in different directions embedded in it. The effects of the rebars are modeled by phenomenological constitutive models devised to reproduce the axial non-linear behavior, as well as the bond-slip and dowel action. The paper presents the constitutive models assumed for the components and the compatibility conditions chosen to constitute the composite. Numerical analyses of existing experimental reinforced concrete members are presented, illustrating the applicability of the proposed methodology.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.475-502
• /
• 2016

Nanobeams are widely used as a structural element for nanodevices and nanomachines. The development of nano-sized machines depends on proper understanding of mechanical behavior of these nano-sized beam elements. Small length scales such as lattice spacing between atoms, surface properties, grain size etc. are need to be considered when applying any classical continuum model. In this study, Eringen's nonlocal elasticity theory is incorporated into classical beam model considering the effects of axial extension and the shear deformation to capture unique static behavior of the nanobeams under continuum mechanics theory. The governing differential equations are obtained for curved beams and solved exactly by using the initial value method. Circular uniform beam with concentrated loads are considered. The displacements, slopes and the stress resultants are obtained analytically. A detailed parametric study is conducted to examine the effect of the nonlocal parameter, mechanical loadings, opening angle, boundary conditions, and slenderness ratio on the static behavior of the nanobeam.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.83 no.3
• /
• pp.377-386
• /
• 2022

This paper considers dynamic impedance functions and presents a detailed analysis of the soil plasticity influence on the pile-group foundation dynamic response. A three-dimensional finite element model is proposed, and a calculation method considering the time domain is detailed for the nonlinear dynamic impedance functions. The soil mass is modeled as continuum elastoplastic solid using the Mohr-Coulomb shear failure criterion. The piles are modeled as continuum solids and the slab as a structural plate-type element. Quiet boundaries are implemented to avoid wave reflection on the boundaries. The model and method of analysis are validated by comparison with those published on literature. Numerical results are presented in terms of horizontal and vertical nonlinear dynamic impedances as a function of the shear soil parameters (cohesion and internal friction angle), pile spacing ratio and frequencies of the dynamic signal.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.677-697
• /
• 2010

This paper focuses on geometrically non-linear static analysis of a simply supported beam made of hyperelastic material subjected to a non-follower transversal uniformly distributed load. As it is known, the line of action of follower forces is affected by the deformation of the elastic system on which they act and therefore such forces are non-conservative. The material of the beam is assumed as isotropic and hyperelastic. Two types of simply supported beams are considered which have the following boundary conditions: 1) There is a pin at left end and a roller at right end of the beam (pinned-rolled beam). 2) Both ends of the beam are supported by pins (pinned-pinned beam). In this study, finite element model of the beam is constructed by using total Lagrangian finite element model of two dimensional continuum for a twelve-node quadratic element. The considered highly non-linear problem is solved by using incremental displacement-based finite element method in conjunction with Newton-Raphson iteration method. In order to use the solution procedures of Newton-Raphson type, there is need to linearized equilibrium equations, which can be achieved through the linearization of the principle of virtual work in its continuum form. In the study, the effect of the large deflections and rotations on the displacements and the normal stress and the shear stress distributions through the thickness of the beam is investigated in detail. It is known that in the failure analysis, the most important quantities are the principal normal stresses and the maximum shear stress. Therefore these stresses are investigated in detail. The convergence studies are performed for various numbers of finite elements. The effects of the geometric non-linearity and pinned-pinned and pinned-rolled support conditions on the displacements and on the stresses are investigated. By using a twelve-node quadratic element, the free boundary conditions are satisfied and very good stress diagrams are obtained. Also, some of the results of the total Lagrangian finite element model of two dimensional continuum for a twelve-node quadratic element are compared with the results of SAP2000 packet program. Numerical results show that geometrical nonlinearity plays very important role in the static responses of the beam.