• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.495-521
• /
• 2016

Ancient monuments of Greek and Roman classical architecture usually consist of multi-drum columns that are constructed of stone blocks placed on top of each other. Several research studies deal with the seismic behaviour of such structures, since earthquakes are common causes of destruction of such monuments. This paper investigates the effect of multiple earthquakes on the seismic performance of multi-drum columns, through numerical simulations and parametric analyses. The Discrete Element Method and an appropriate contact model have been implemented in a specially developed software application that is able to efficiently perform the necessary simulations in two dimensions. Specifically, various strong ground excitations are used in series for the computation of the collective final deformation of multi-drum columns. In order to calculate this cumulative deformation for a series of ground motions, the individual deformation of the column for each excitation is computed and then used as initial conditions for the next earthquake excitation. Various multi-drum columns with different dimensions are also considered in the analyses in order to examine how the geometric characteristics of columns can affect their seismic sequence behaviour, in combination with the excitation frequency content.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.495-501
• /
• 2018

Geogrid application that has proved to be an effective and economic method of reinforcing particles, is widely used in geotechnical engineering. The discrete element method (DEM) has been used to investigate the micro mechanics of the geogrid deformation and also the interlocking mechanism that cannot be easily studies in laboratory tests. Two types of realistically shaped geogrid models with square and triangle apertures were developed using parallel bonds in PFC3D. The calibration test simulations have demonstrated that the precisely shaped triangular geogrid model is also able to reproduce the deformation and strength characteristics of geogrids. Moreover, the square and triangular geogrid models were also used in DEM pull-out test simulations with idealized shape particle models for validation. The simulation results have been shown to provide good predictions of pullout force as a function of displacement especially for the initial 30 mm displacement. For the granular material of size 40 mm, both the experimental and DEM results demonstrate that the triangular geogrid of size 75 mm outperforms the square geogrid of size 65 mm. Besides, the simulations have given valuable insight into the interaction between particle and geogrid and also revealed similar deformation behavior of geogrids during pullout. Therefore, the DEM provides a tool which enable to model other possible prototype geogrid and investigate their performance before manufacture.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 2019

The stone pagoda continued to be damaged by weathering and corrosion over time, and natural disasters such as earthquake are accelerating the destruction of cultural properties. Stone pagoda has discontinuous structure behavior and is very vulnerable to the seismic load acting in lateral direction. It is necessary to analyze various design variables as the contact surface characteristics play an important role in the dynamic behavior of stone pagodas. For this purpose, contact surface characteristics of stone pagoda can be classified according to surface roughness and filler type, and representative model is selected and structural modeling and analysis are performed using the discrete element method. Also, the seismic load according to the repetition period is calculated and the dynamic analysis is performed considering the discontinuous characteristics of the stone pagoda. Finally, the seismic behavior characteristics can be analyzed by the evaluation of stresses, displacements and structural safety.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2022

The flow at the top surface of the hopper is of particular industrial interest. Previously, the velocity distribution inside the hopper was predicted using the simple, void and spot models, which are equations for the particle flow field. However, because these equations cannot predict the velocity distribution at the top surface, a new equation has been recently proposed. This study employed the discrete element method with the changed shape of the particles. Based on the results, the shape of the particle had no effect on the discharge angle and shape of the velocity distribution; however, it greatly affected the size of the velocity distribution and bed thickness of the flowing particles. Therefore, in the future, it is necessary to modify the theoretical equation by considering the shape of the particles.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.361-374
• /
• 2022

On the premise of ensuring that the automatic and quantitative discharging function of concrete conveyors is met, the accuracy of the weight forecast by the mathematical model of the screw conveying volume is improved, and the error of the weight of the concrete parts and the accumulation thickness is reduced. In this paper, the discrete element method (DEM) is used to simulate the macroscopic flow of concrete. Using the concrete discrete element model, the size of the screw conveyor is set, and establish the response model between the influencing factors (process and structure) and the concrete mass flow rate according to the design points of the screw discharging experiment. The nonlinear data fitting method is used to obtain the volumetric efficiency function under the influence of process and structural factors, and the traditional screw conveying volume model is improved. The mass flow rate of concrete predicted by the improved mathematical model of screw conveying volume is consistent with the test results. The model can accurately describe the conveying process of concrete and achieve the purpose of improving the accuracy of forecasting the weight of discharged concrete.

• Explosives and Blasting
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.62-72
• /
• 2023

The aging of plant structures due to industrialization in the 1970s has increased the demand for blast demolition. While blasting can reduce exposure to environmental pollution by shortening the demolition period, improper blasting design and construction plans pose significant safety risks. Thus, it is vital to consider optimal blasting demolition conditions and other factors through collapse behavior simulation. This study utilizes a 3-D combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) code-based 3-D DFPA to simulate the collapse of a chimney structure in a thermal power plant in Seocheon, South Korea. The collapse behavior from the numerical simulation is compared to the actual structure collapse, and the numerical simulation result presents good agreement with the actual building demolition. Additionally, various numerical simulations have been conducted on the chimney models to analyze the impact of the duct size in the pre-weakening area. The no-duct, duct, and double-area duct models were compared in terms of crack pattern and history of Z-axis displacement. The findings show that the elapse-time for demolition decreases as the area of the duct increases, causing collapse to occur quickly by increasing the load-bearing area.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 1999.04a
• /
• pp.295-302
• /
• 1999

This paper is the experimental and analytic of reinforced concrete hemisphere dome under vertical load. It is described that when the reinforced concrete hemispherical dome supported on cylindrical wall is loaded vertically, how the opening part of dome will behave mechanically The experimental and analytic model is a Hemispherical dome with opening and the meridian angle of opening is 76$^{\circ}$at the center of sphere under concentrated load around the opening, but this is reinforced by a ring is sufficient stiffness. The diagrams of crack development are represented to understand the behavior of the reinforced concrete hemispherical dome. The method of crack analysis will be applied the rigid element spring model. The rigid element spring model is a new discrete element analysis, each divided element is assumed by rigid elements without deformation which is interconnected with elasto-plastic spring system.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.567-577
• /
• 2017

This study presents investigation of the behavior of moderately thick reinforced concrete slabs having hollow cores with different parameters. The experimental part of this investigation includes testing eight specimens of solid and hollow-core slab models having (2.05 m) length, (0.6 m) width and (25 cm) thickness under two monotonic line loads. Load versus deflection was recorded during test at mid span and under load. Numerically, the finite element method is used to study the behavior of these reinforced concrete slabs by using ANSYS computer program. The specimens of slab models are modeled by using (SOLID65) element to represent concrete slabs and (LINK180) element to represent the steel bars as discrete axial members between concrete nodes. The finite element analysis has showed good agreement with the experimental results with difference of (4.71%-8.68%) in ultimate loads. A parametric study have been carried out by using ANSYS program to investigate the effects of concrete compressive strength, size and shape of core, type of applied load and effect of removing top steel reinforcement.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.496-507
• /
• 2020

A prediction of the performance of EPB TBM is significant for improving the constructability of tunnels. Thus, various attempts to simulate TBM excavation by the numerical method have been made until these days. In this paper, to evaluate the performance of TBM with different operating conditions, a parametric study was carried out using coupled discrete element method (DEM) and finite difference method (FDM) EPB TBM driving model. The analysis was conducted by changing the penetration rate (0.5 and 1.0 mm/sec) and the rotational speed of screw conveyor (5, 15, and 25 rpm) while the rotation velocity of the cutter head kept constant at 2 rpm. The torque, thrust force, chamber pressure, and discharging with different TBM operating conditions were compared. The result of parametric study shows that the optimum driving condition can be determined by the coupled DEM-FDM numerical model.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.549-560
• /
• 2021

Forces exerted on a shield TBM (tunnel boring machine) such as cutter head torque, thrust force, chamber pressure, and upward force are key factors determining TBM performance. However, the forces acting on the TBM when tunnelling the mixed ground have different tendencies compared to that of the uniform ground, which could impair TBM performance. In this study, the effect of mixed ground tunnelling was numerically investigated with torque, thrust force, chamber pressure, and upward force. A coupled discrete element method (DEM) and finite difference method (FDM) model for TBM driving model was used. This numerical study simulates TBM tunnelling in mixed ground composed of upper weathered granite soil and lower weathered rock. The effect on the force acting on the TBM according to the location and slope of the boundary of the mixed ground was numerically examined.