• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.437-456
• /
• 2014

This work incorporates newly introduced Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) to assess the failure mechanism and strength of hollow concrete blocks. Alongside, a method for the graphical representation of cracked surfaces in the LDPM is outlined. A slightly modified calibration procedure is also suggested and used to estimate required model parameters for a tested concrete sample. Next, the model is verified for a compressively loaded hollow block made of the very same concrete. Finally, four geometries commonly used in the production of hollow concrete blocks are selected, numerically simulated, and their failure properties are explored under concentric and eccentric compressions.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.87-97
• /
• 2012

The indoor environments in high-rise buildings are generally well enclosed by defined boundary conditions. Here, a numerical simulation method based on the Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), which aims to model and simulate the turbulent flow accurately in an enclosed environment, and its comparison with traditional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results, are presented in this paper. CFD has become a powerful tool for predicting and evaluating enclosed airflows with the rapid advance in computer capacity and speed, and various types of CFD turbulence modeling and its application and validation have been reported. The LBM is a relatively new method; it involves solving of the discrete Boltzmann equation to simulate the fluid flow with a collision model instead of solving Navier-Stokes equations. In this study, the LBM-based scheme of flow pattern and particle dispersion analyses are validated using the benchmark test case of two- and three-dimensional and isothermal conditions (IEA/Annex 20 case); the prediction accuracy and advantages are also discussed by comparison with the results of CFD.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.545-557
• /
• 2024

A real-case incident occurred where a 9-meter-high segment of a pre-fabricated concrete separation wall unexpectedly collapsed. This collapse was triggered by improperly depositing excavated soil against the wall's back, a condition for which the wall segments were not designed to withstand lateral earth pressure, leading to a flexural failure. The event's analysis, integrating technical data and observational insights, revealed that internal forces at the time of failure significantly exceeded the wall's capacity per standard design. The Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) further replicates the collapse mechanism. Our approach involved defining various parameter sets to replicate the concrete's mechanical response, consistent with the tested compressive strength. Subsequent stages included calibrating these parameters across different scales and conducting full-scale simulations. These simulations carried out with various parameter sets, were thoroughly analyzed to identify the most representative failure mechanism. We developed an equation from this analysis that quickly correlates the parameters to the wall's load-carry capacity, aligned with the simulation. Additionally, our study examined the wall's post-peak behavior, extending up to the point of collapse. This aspect of the analysis was essential for preventing failure, providing crucial time for intervention, and potentially averting a disaster. However, the reinforced concrete residual state is far from being fully understood. While it's impractical for engineers to depend on the residual state of structural elements during the design phase, comprehending this state is essential for effective response and mitigation strategies after initial failure occurs.