Discrete Finite Element Method for Analysis of Masonry Structures

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.

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

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (02) ◽  
pp. 1850017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Adamiec-Wójcik ◽  
Łukasz Drąg ◽  
Stanisław Wojciech

The static and dynamic analysis of slender systems, which in this paper comprise lines and flexible links of manipulators, requires large deformations to be taken into consideration. This paper presents a modification of the rigid finite element method which enables modeling of such systems to include bending, torsional and longitudinal flexibility. In the formulation used, the elements into which the link is divided have seven DOFs. These describe the position of a chosen point, the extension of the element, and its orientation by means of the Euler angles Z[Formula: see text]Y[Formula: see text]X[Formula: see text]. Elements are connected by means of geometrical constraint equations. A compact algorithm for formulating and integrating the equations of motion is given. Models and programs are verified by comparing the results to those obtained by analytical solution and those from the finite element method. Finally, they are used to solve a benchmark problem encountered in nonlinear dynamic analysis of multibody systems.


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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