• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.183-189
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• 2014

In this paper, a polyhedral element is presented to solve three-dimensional problems by developing shape functions based on Wachspress coordinates and moving least square approximation. A subdivision of polyhedrons into tetrahedral domains is performed for the construction of shape functions of polyhedral elements, and numerical integration of the weak form is carried out consistently over the tetrahedral domains. The weight functions for moving least square approximation are defined by solving Laplace equation with boundary values based on Wachspress coordinates on polyhedral element faces. Polyhedral elements presented in this paper have similar properties to conventional finite element regarding the continuity, the completeness, the node-element connectivity and the inter-element compatibility. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of the present method for solving three-dimensional problems using polyhedral elements.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2022

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2014

Finite element modeling of composite structures may be cumbersome due to complex distributions of reinforcements. In this paper, an efficient scheme is proposed that can generate periodic meshes for the composite structures. Regular meshes with hexahedral finite elements are first prepared, and the elements are then trimmed to fit external surfaces of reinforcements in the composite structures. The trimmed hexahedral finite elements located at interfaces between the matrix and the reinforcements correspond to polyhedral finite elements, which allow an arbitrary number of nodes and faces in the elements. Because the trimming process is consistently conducted by means of consistent algorithms, the elements of the reinforcements are automatically compatible with those of the matrices. With the additional consideration of periodicity of reinforcements in a representative volume element(RVE), the proposed scheme provides periodic meshes in an efficient manner, which are compatible for each pair of periodic boundaries of the RVE. Therefore, periodic boundary conditions for the RVE are enforced straightforwardly. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme for finite element modeling of complex composite structures.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.195-220
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• 2017

Nowadays, railway system plays a significant role in transportation, conveying cargo, passengers, minerals, grains, and so forth. Railway ballasted track is a conventional railway track as can be seen all over the world. Ballast, located underneath the sleepers, is the most important elements on ballasted track, which has many functions and requires routine maintenance. Ballast needs to be maintained frequently to prevent rail buckling, settlement, misalignment so that ballast has to be modelled accurately. Continuum model was introduced to model granular material and was extended in ballast. However, ballast is a heterogeneous material with highly nonlinear behaviour. Hence, ballast could not be modelled accurately in continuum model due to the discontinuities nature and material degradation of ballast. Discrete element modelling (DEM) is proposed as an alternative approach that provides insight into constitutive model, realistic particle, and contact algorithm between each particle. DEM has been studied in many recent decades. However, there are limitations due to the high computational time and memory consumption, which cause the lack of using in high range. This paper presents a review of recent ballast modelling with benefits and drawbacks. Ballast particles are illustrated either circular, circular crump, spherical, spherical crump, super-quadric, polygonal and polyhedral. Moreover, the gaps and limitations of previous studies are also summarized. The outcome of this study will help the understanding into different ballast modelling and particle. The insight information can be used to improve ballast modelling and monitoring for condition-based track maintenance.