05/04/2020 Applied element method - Wikipedia

Applied element method

The applied element method (AEM) is a numerical analysis used in predicting the continuum
and discrete behavior of structures. The modeling method in AEM adopts the concept of discrete
cracking allowing it to automatically track structural collapse behavior passing through all stages
of loading: elastic, crack initiation and propagation in tension-weak materials, reinforcement
yield, element separation, element contact and collision, as well as collision with the ground and
adjacent structures.

History

Exploration of the approach employed in the applied element method began in 1995 at the
University of Tokyo as part of Dr. Hatem Tagel-Din's research studies. The term "applied element
method" itself, however, was first coined in 2000 in a paper called "Applied element method for
structural analysis: Theory and application for linear materials".[1] Since then AEM has been the
subject of research by a number of academic institutions and the driving factor in real-world
applications. Research has verified its accuracy for: elastic analysis;[1] crack initiation and
propagation; estimation of failure loads at reinforced concrete structures;[2] reinforced concrete
structures under cyclic loading;[3] buckling and post-buckling behavior;[4] nonlinear dynamic
analysis of structures subjected to severe earthquakes;[5] fault-rupture propagation;[6] nonlinear
behavior of brick structures;[7] and the analysis of glass reinforced polymers (GFRP) walls under
blast loads.[8]

Technical discussion

In AEM, the structure is divided virtually and modeled as an assemblage of relatively small
elements. The elements are then connected through a set of normal and shear springs located at
contact points distributed along the element faces. Normal and shear springs are responsible for
the transfer of normal and shear stresses from one element to the next.

Element generation and formulation

…
The modeling of objects in AEM is very similar to modeling objects in FEM. Each object is divided
into a series of elements connected and forming a mesh. The main difference between AEM and
FEM, however, is how the elements are joined together. In AEM the elements are connected by a
series of non-linear springs representing the material behavior.

There are three types of springs used in AEM:

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Matrix Springs: Matrix springs connect two elements together representing the main material
properties of the object.

Reinforcing Bar Springs: Reinforcement springs are used to implicitly represent additional
reinforcement bars running through the object without adding additional elements to the
analysis.

Contact Springs: Contact Springs are generated when two elements collide with each other or
the ground. When this occurs three springs are generated (Shear Y, Shear X and Normal).

Automatic element separation

…
When the average strain value at the element face reaches the separation strain, all springs at
this face are removed and elements are no longer connected until a collision occurs, at which
point they collide together as rigid bodies.

Separation strain represents the strain at which adjacent elements are totally separated at the
connecting face. This parameter is not available in the elastic material model. For concrete, all
springs between the adjacent faces including reinforcement bar springs are cut. If the elements
meet again, they will behave as two different rigid bodies that have now contacted each other.
For steel, the bars are cut if the stress point reaches ultimate stress or if the concrete reaches the
separation strain.

Automatic element contact/collision

…
Contact or collision is detected without any user intervention. Elements are able to separate,
contract and/or make contact with other elements. In AEM three contact methods include
Corner-to-Face, Edge-to-Edge, and Corner-to-Ground.

Stiffness matrix

The spring stiffness in a 2D model can be calculated from the following equations:

Where d is the distance between springs, T is the thickness of the element, a is the length of the
representative area, E is the Young's modulus, and G is the shear modulus of the material. The
above equation's indicate that each spring represents the stiffness of an area (T·d) within the
length of the studied material.

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To model reinforcement bars embedded in concrete, a spring is placed inside the element at the
location of the bar; the area (T·d) is replaced by the actual cross section area of the reinforcement
bar. Similar to modeling embedded steel sections, the area (T·d) may be replaced by the area of
the steel section represented by the spring.

Although the element motion moves as a rigid body, its internal deformations are represented
by the spring deformation around each element. This means the element shape does not change
during analysis, but the behavior of assembly of elements is deformable. The two elements are
assumed to be connected by only one pair of normal and shear springs. To have a general
stiffness matrix, the locations of element and contact springs are assumed in a general position.
The stiffness matrix components corresponding to each degree of freedom are determined by
assuming a unit displacement in the studied direction and by determining forces at the centroid
of each element. The 2D element stiffness matrix size is 6 × 6; the components of the upper left
quarter of the stiffness matrix are shown below:

The stiffness matrix depends on the contact spring stiffness and the spring location. The stiffness
matrix is for only one pair of contact springs. However, the global stiffness matrix is determined
by summing up the stiffness matrices of individual pairs of springs around each element.
Consequently, the developed stiffness matrix has total effects from all pairs of springs, according
to the stress situation around the element. This technique can be used in both load and
displacement control cases. The 3D stiffness matrix may be deduced similarly.

Applications

The applied element method is currently being used in the following applications:

Structural vulnerability assessment

Progressive collapse

Blast analysis

Impact analysis

Seismic analysis
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Forensic engineering

Performance based design

Demolition analysis

Glass performance analysis

Visual effects

See also

Building implosion

Earthquake engineering

Extreme Loading for Structures

Failure analysis

Multidisciplinary design optimization

Physics engine

Progressive collapse

Shear modulus

Structural engineering

Young's modulus

References

1. Meguro, K.; Tagel-Din, H. (2000). "Applied element method for structural analysis: Theory
and application for linear materials" . Structural engineering/earthquake engineering. Japan:
Japan Society of Civil Engineers(JSCE). 17 (1): 21–35. F0028A. Archived from the original
on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2009-08-10.

2. Tagel-Din, H.; Meguro, K (2000). "Applied Element Method for Simulation of Nonlinear
Materials: Theory and Application for RC Structures" . Structural engineering/earthquake
engineering. Japan: Japan Society of Civil Engineers(JSCE). 17 (2): 137–148. Retrieved
2009-08-10.

3. Tagel-Din, H.; Meguro, Kimiro (November 2001). "Applied Element Simulation of RC

Structures under Cyclic Loading" . Journal of Structural Engineering. Japan: ASCE. 127 (11):
137–148. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2001)127:11(1295) . ISSN 0733-9445 . Retrieved
2009-08-10.

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4. Tagel-Din, H.; Meguro, K (2002). "AEM Used for Large Displacement Structure Analysis"
(PDF). Journal of Natural Disaster Science. Japan. 24 (1): 25–34. Retrieved 2009-08-10.

5. Tagel-Din, Hatem; Kimiro Meguro, K (January 30 – February 4, 2000). Analysis of a Small

Scale RC Building Subjected to Shaking Table Tests using Applied Element Method. New
Zealand: Proceedings of the 12th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering. pp. 25–34.

6. HATEM, Tagel-Din; Kimiro MEGURO, K (August 1–6, 2004). Dynamic Modeling of Dip-Slip
Faults for Studying Ground Surface Deformation Using Applied Element Method. Vancouver,
Canada: Proceedings of the 13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering.

7. Mayorka, Paola; Kimiro Meguro, K (October 2003). "Modeling Masonry Structures using the
Applied Element Method" . Seisan Kenkyu. Japan: Institute of Industrial Science, The
University of Tokyo. 55 (6): 123–126. ISSN 1881-2058 . Retrieved 2009-08-10.

8. Mayorka, Paola; Kimiro Meguro, K (2005). Blast Testing and Research Bridge at the Tenza
Viaduct. Japan: University of Missouri-Rolla, TSWG Contract Number N4175-05-R-4828,
Final Report of Task 1.

Further reading

Applied Element Method

Extreme Loading for Structures - Applied Element Method

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