Three-dimensional tool for calculation of internal force diagrams: graphical interface

• Grant number: 18/07427-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2018
• End date: May 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Provasi Correia
• Grantee: Igor Freitas Sym
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The calculation of internal forces, stresses and strains in a beam structure are part of every engineering course curriculum. Although the concepts involved are simple, many students have difficulty understanding how to obtain such results. With this in view, it is proposed the development of a paradidatic tool capable of not only analyzing two-dimensional as well as three-dimensional structures, since there is no tool capable of performing such analysis. Furthermore, said tool should be able to obtain the normal and shear stresses in each of the elements of the structure, as well as obtain the deformed structure. The tool will also allow the selection of boundary conditions through the insertion of supports or imposition of displacements. A program of this magnitude goes beyond the scope of a single scientific initiation work and, thus, the work was divided into two modules: one comprising the graphical interface part and the other with the calculations to be processed. The graphical interface will be completely developed using graphical tools like Unity and C#. It will allow data entry, positioning of the beam elements through a mouse or keyboard, requesting and displaying results as well as having all the necessary functions so that the communication with the user is done in a simple and fast way. The solution part will use matrix analysis to determine the displacements and stresses in the beam elements in such a way as to obtain their deformed configuration, the distribution of internal forces and stresses. This work is dedicated to the graphical interface part mentioned above, so it will require the development of a better understanding of the Unity tool, as well as the interactions of this tool with the adopted programming language (C#), the formats for importation and exportation of files (Json / XML) and how to integrate both modules. (AU)