A Box element to model semi-rigid connections in shell-based thin-walled structures analysis

Author(s)

Soares, Henrique Barbosa ^[1] ; Paccola, Rodrigo Ribeiro ^[1] ; Coda, Humberto Breves ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Sch Engn, Dept Struct Engn, Av Trabalhador Sao Carlense 400, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENGINEERING STRUCTURES; v. 246, NOV 1 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

In this study, we develop and propose a finite element (Box Element) designed specially to improve the shellbased simulation of elastic thin-walled structures. The Box Element (BE) allows a simple and automatic connection between beams and columns, as well as, between slabs and beams. The BE stiffness is assembled by bracing panels immersed in its numerical structure simulating the flexibility of connections. Its formulation is developed using an in house positional FEM code, whose 3D rotation degrees of freedom are replaced by generalized vectors, facilitating bending couplings and large rotation modeling. Instability and geometrical nonlinear path-following analysis are studied in examples, comparing results with literature benchmarks and proposing a practical application. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/19288-8 - Development of a computational tool for structural collapse analysis by the positional finite element method
• Grantee: Henrique Barbosa Soares
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/05393-4 - Numerical formulations for the analysis of advanced materials and structures
• Grantee: Humberto Breves Coda
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants