Planar Cross-Sectional Fitting of Structural Members to Numerical Simulation Results Obtained from Finite Element Models with Solid or Shell Elements

Modeling complex conditions involving extensive engineering structures with large numbers of beams and columns often requires a mixture of analytical modeling based on beam theory and numerical simulations involving finite element models composed of solid or shell elements. However, high levels of d...

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Main Authors: Xuan Zhang, Shifa Xia, Huanchen Li, Fengwei Shi, En-Feng Deng, Meng Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/797
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author Xuan Zhang
Shifa Xia
Huanchen Li
Fengwei Shi
En-Feng Deng
Meng Li
author_facet Xuan Zhang
Shifa Xia
Huanchen Li
Fengwei Shi
En-Feng Deng
Meng Li
author_sort Xuan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Modeling complex conditions involving extensive engineering structures with large numbers of beams and columns often requires a mixture of analytical modeling based on beam theory and numerical simulations involving finite element models composed of solid or shell elements. However, high levels of deformation in the planar configuration of cross-sections arising under extreme external loads, such as intensive earthquakes, explosions, and hurricanes, greatly complicates the task of fitting the numerical simulation results to the planar cross-sections required by beam theory. The present work addresses this issue by proposing a fitting method based on a least squares approximation method. The fitting problem is first transformed into a process of solving a cubic equation whose coefficients are integrals over the simulated cross-section. The solution of the cubic equation is defined using explicit formulae developed for calculating the integrals over the surfaces of single solid or shell elements lying within the cross-section by combining the shape functions and degree of freedom results of the elements. The proposed fitting method is then applied for analyzing the blast resistance of steel structures. The potential application of the proposed method is demonstrated by evaluating the rotations, shear deformations, and moment–curvature relationships of the fitted cross-sections.
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spelling doaj-art-8d337908cf1241548cea85a0d79db7992025-08-20T02:59:14ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-02-0115579710.3390/buildings15050797Planar Cross-Sectional Fitting of Structural Members to Numerical Simulation Results Obtained from Finite Element Models with Solid or Shell ElementsXuan Zhang0Shifa Xia1Huanchen Li2Fengwei Shi3En-Feng Deng4Meng Li5State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaModeling complex conditions involving extensive engineering structures with large numbers of beams and columns often requires a mixture of analytical modeling based on beam theory and numerical simulations involving finite element models composed of solid or shell elements. However, high levels of deformation in the planar configuration of cross-sections arising under extreme external loads, such as intensive earthquakes, explosions, and hurricanes, greatly complicates the task of fitting the numerical simulation results to the planar cross-sections required by beam theory. The present work addresses this issue by proposing a fitting method based on a least squares approximation method. The fitting problem is first transformed into a process of solving a cubic equation whose coefficients are integrals over the simulated cross-section. The solution of the cubic equation is defined using explicit formulae developed for calculating the integrals over the surfaces of single solid or shell elements lying within the cross-section by combining the shape functions and degree of freedom results of the elements. The proposed fitting method is then applied for analyzing the blast resistance of steel structures. The potential application of the proposed method is demonstrated by evaluating the rotations, shear deformations, and moment–curvature relationships of the fitted cross-sections.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/797beam theorycross-section fittingleast squares approximationblast resistancesteel structure
spellingShingle Xuan Zhang
Shifa Xia
Huanchen Li
Fengwei Shi
En-Feng Deng
Meng Li
Planar Cross-Sectional Fitting of Structural Members to Numerical Simulation Results Obtained from Finite Element Models with Solid or Shell Elements
Buildings
beam theory
cross-section fitting
least squares approximation
blast resistance
steel structure
title Planar Cross-Sectional Fitting of Structural Members to Numerical Simulation Results Obtained from Finite Element Models with Solid or Shell Elements
title_full Planar Cross-Sectional Fitting of Structural Members to Numerical Simulation Results Obtained from Finite Element Models with Solid or Shell Elements
title_fullStr Planar Cross-Sectional Fitting of Structural Members to Numerical Simulation Results Obtained from Finite Element Models with Solid or Shell Elements
title_full_unstemmed Planar Cross-Sectional Fitting of Structural Members to Numerical Simulation Results Obtained from Finite Element Models with Solid or Shell Elements
title_short Planar Cross-Sectional Fitting of Structural Members to Numerical Simulation Results Obtained from Finite Element Models with Solid or Shell Elements
title_sort planar cross sectional fitting of structural members to numerical simulation results obtained from finite element models with solid or shell elements
topic beam theory
cross-section fitting
least squares approximation
blast resistance
steel structure
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/797
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AT shifaxia planarcrosssectionalfittingofstructuralmemberstonumericalsimulationresultsobtainedfromfiniteelementmodelswithsolidorshellelements
AT huanchenli planarcrosssectionalfittingofstructuralmemberstonumericalsimulationresultsobtainedfromfiniteelementmodelswithsolidorshellelements
AT fengweishi planarcrosssectionalfittingofstructuralmemberstonumericalsimulationresultsobtainedfromfiniteelementmodelswithsolidorshellelements
AT enfengdeng planarcrosssectionalfittingofstructuralmemberstonumericalsimulationresultsobtainedfromfiniteelementmodelswithsolidorshellelements
AT mengli planarcrosssectionalfittingofstructuralmemberstonumericalsimulationresultsobtainedfromfiniteelementmodelswithsolidorshellelements