Discrete Finite Element Method Application for Analysis of Unreinforced-Masonry Underground Structures

2015 ◽  
Vol 2522 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iraj H. P. Mamaghani

Unreinforced-masonry underground structures are composed of a finite number of distinct interacting blocks that have length scales relatively comparable with the underground openings of interest. Therefore, these structures are ideal candidates for modeling as discrete systems instead of as continuous systems. The discrete finite element method (DFEM) developed by the author to model discontinuous media consisting of blocks of arbitrary shapes was adopted for the static analysis of unreinforced masonry underground structures. The developed DFEM was based on the principles of the finite element method incorporating contact elements. The DFEM considers blocks as subdomains and represents them by solid elements. Contact elements, which are far superior to joint or interface elements, are used to model block interactions such as sliding or separation. In this study, the DFEM is briefly reviewed; then, through some illustrative examples, the applicability of the DFEM to the analysis of unreinforced-masonry underground structures is examined and discussed. It is shown that the DFEM provides an efficient tool for researchers and practical engineers in designing, analyzing, and studying the behavior of unreinforced masonry underground structures under static loading.

Author(s):  
Iraj H. P. Mamaghani

Masonry structures are comprised of a finite number of distinct interacting rock blocks that have a length scale relatively comparable to the structure. Therefore, they are ideal candidates for modeling as discrete systems. This chapter covers the Discrete Finite Element Method (DFEM) developed by the author to model discontinuous media consisting of blocks of arbitrary shapes. The DFEM is based on the finite element method incorporating contact elements. The DFEM considers blocks as sub-domains and represents them as solid elements. Contact elements are used to model block interactions such as sliding or separation. In this chapter, through some illustrative examples, the applicability of the DFEM to static and dynamic analysis of masonry structures, including arch bridges, walls, slopes, and underground openings, is discussed. The DFEM provides an efficient tool for researchers and practical engineers in designing, analyzing, and studying the behavior of masonry structures under static and dynamic loadings.


Author(s):  
Iraj H. P. Mamaghani

In this chapter, through some illustrative examples, the applicability of the Discrete Finite Element Method (DFEM) to analysis of unreinforced masonry structures such as rock pillars, open rock slopes, underground openings, tunnels, fault propagations, and fault-structure interactions is examined and discussed. In the numerical study, the behavior of contacts and blocks is assumed to be elasto-plastic or elastic. The Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion, representing material behavior of contacts, is implemented in the developed codes for DFEM used in the analysis. The secant stiffness method with the updated Lagrangian scheme is employed to deal with non-linear behavior. The constant strain triangular element with two degrees of freedoms at each node, formed by properly joining the corners and contact nodes of an individual block, is adopted for finite element meshing of the blocks. The DFEM provides an efficient and promising tool for designing, analyzing, and studying the behavior of unreinforced masonry structures.


Vestnik MGSU ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 452-461
Author(s):  
Emil Imran Оglu Alirzaev ◽  
Marina E. Dement'eva

Introduction. One of the serious problems in the construction of underground structures in a dense urban area is the occurrence of excess deformations of the foundations of operating buildings that fall into the zone of influence of underground construction. The subject of the study was the calculated justification of the modern technology of compensatory injection. The relevance of the task is determined by the fact that the choice of the most effective protection technology should be based not only on a comparison of technological precipitation with maximum permissible values, but also on the assessment of the possibility of monitoring and controlling the movements of the foundations of buildings and structures during construction and subsequent operation. The purpose of the study was to compare various methods of protecting the foundations of existing buildings and structures and justify the selection of the most effective of them for further implementation and dissemination in the design and construction of urban underground structures. Materials and methods. On the basis of the survey data of the operated building falling into the impact zone of excavation of the pit for the construction of the installation and shield chamber of the subway, the parameters of the stress-strain state of its foundations are studied by mathematical modeling. The problem was solved by the finite element method based on the software and computer complex Z_Soil v.18.24. Results. Based on the analysis of the results of the examination of the administrative building using the finite element method, a change in the parameters of the stress-strain state of the foundations was modeled with various technologies for strengthening it. In the course of solving the geotechnical problem, it was found that the minimum impact on the foundations of the building during the construction of the pit was obtained in the method of compensatory injection. The system of criteria for making a decision on choosing an effective way to ensure the suitability of buildings in the underground construction zone for operation is substantiated. Conclusions. The results of this work can be used to justify the choice of technology for prevention and control of excess deformations of foundations. The function for calculating the volume of injected material in the Z_Soil software and computer complex can be used to justify the consumption of materials and the economic efficiency of the technological solution.


2014 ◽  
Vol 668-669 ◽  
pp. 1130-1133
Author(s):  
Lei Hou ◽  
Xian Yan Sun ◽  
Lin Qiu

In this paper, we employ semi-discrete finite element method to study the convergence of the Cauchy equation. The convergent order can reach. In numerical results, the space domain is discrete by Lagrange interpolation function with 9-point biquadrate element. The time domain is discrete by two difference schemes: Euler and Crank-Nicolson scheme. Numerical results show that the convergence of Crank-Nicolson scheme is better than that of Euler scheme.


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