Applications of Finite Element Analysis in Structural Engineering
Advances in the field of computer aided engineering during the last two decades have been quite extensive and have led to considerable benefits to many engineering industries. In the building industry, use of advanced finite element tools has not only allowed the introduction of innovative and efficient building products, but also the development of accurate design methods. High performance computing facilities and advanced finite element programs are now available for research and development activities in many universities in collaboration with industries. In this paper, four examples of successful applications of advanced computer tools are presented and discussed. The structural performance of steel cladding systems, innovative hollow flange beams, plasterboard lined cold-formed steel stud walls and an innovative cold-formed steel building system was accurately simulated by finite element models and thus considerably reduced the number of time consuming and expensive large scale experiments required. Both local and overall failures of various building components were investigated. New design rules, structurally improved and optimized building products and systems, and simplified behavioural and computer models were developed. This paper presents a summary of the four detailed investigations using advanced finite element tools, and selected results.
Numerical modelling and design of unlined cold-formed steel wall frames
Cold-formed steel wall frame systems using lipped or unlipped C-sections and gypsum plasterboard lining are commonly utilised in the construction of both the load bearing and non-load bearing walls in the residential, commercial and industrial buildings. However, the structural behaviour of unlined and lined stud wall frames is not well understood and adequate design rules are not available. A detailed research program was therefore undertaken to investigate the behaviour of stud wall frame systems. As the first step in this research, the problem relating to the degree of end fixity of stud was investigated. The studs are usually connected to the top and bottom tracks and the degree of end fixity provided by these tracks is not adequately addressed by the design codes. A finite element model of unlined frames was therefore developed, and validated using full scale experimental results. It was then used in a detailed parametric study to develop appropriate design rules for unlined wall frames. This study has shown that by using appropriate effective length factors, the ultimate load and failure modes of the unlined studs can be accurately predicted using the provisions of Australian or American cold-formed steel structures design codes. This paper presents the details of the finite element analyses, the results and recommended design rules for unlined wall frames.
Calculation of Complex Radiant Heat Load From Surrounding Radiator Surface Temperatures
Abstract A method for calculating the radiant heat exchange between an absorber and individual radiating components in its surroundings is reported. Radiator surface temperatures, ambient and absorber temperatures, and configuration factors for radiating components in the surroundings are used in the customary radiant heat exchange formulae. Simplified methods for calculating or estimating configuration factors for radiators of various shapes solely from angles, subtended at the absorber by the radiators are presented. The method has been verified in the laboratory under controlled conditions and has been used to advantage in the field studies. The method has advantages over the globe therometer method in certain applications.