Sharif Digital Repository

A finite element model for seismic analysis of concrete arch dams is proposed. Material inelasticity as well as joints nonlinearity is considered. A damage-plastic formulation governs nonlinear behavior of concrete. Degeneration occurring during nonlinear behavior of concrete induces anisotropy into its microstructure. This anisotropy becomes more complex in seismic simulations, in which the state of stress expeditiously changes with time. Thus, anisotropic formulation is preferred over classical isotropic models. Utilizing rate-dependent anisotropic damage-plastic model, irreversible deformations, stiffness degeneration, induced anisotropy, closing/reopening of cracks, and viscous response... 

The relation between aggregate characteristics and fracture properties of concrete mixtures is investigated numerically. A homogenization-based multiscale approach is introduced based on objective failure zone averaging for heterogeneous meso-structure, and traction–separation law of fracture process zone (FPZ) instead of phenomenological constitutive model for macro-structure. A rate-dependent anisotropic damage-plastic formulation is employed to reproduce degradation process in the fine-scale from diffuse damage to localized bands, and extended finite element method (X-FEM) is utilized to resemble the localized region as a macro-crack within the coarse-scale. Different aggregate types are... 

A novel plastic-damage constitutive model for plain concrete is developed in this paper. For this purpose, the microplane theory is proposed for overcoming the deficiency of available anisotropic continuum plastic-damage models in reproducing the true anisotropic nature of damage in multidimensional loadings. Based on the microplane theory, the degeneration process in concrete is considered along with plastic deformations. Using the principle of strain energy equivalence, a transformation between the nominal and effective states of material is achieved, that results in a decoupled formulation for damage and plasticity. A yield function with multiple internal variables and a non-associative... 

The scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) is known for its inherent ability to simulate unbounded domains and singular fields, and its flexibility in the meshing procedure. Keeping the analytical form of the field variables along one coordinate intact, it transforms the governing partial differential equations of the problem into a system of one-dimensional (initial–)boundary value problems. However, closed-form solution of the said system is not available for most cases (e.g. transient heat transfer, acoustics, ultrasonics, etc.) since the system cannot be diagonalized in general. This paper aims to establish a numerical tool within the context of the shooting technique to evaluate... 

Dealing with numerical analysis of problems, especially ones with semi-infinite boundaries, scaled boundary finite element method has emerged as one of the efficient tools for the task. Combining the exactness of strong forms with the flexibility of weak formulations makes the method an improvement to its predecessors. Problem with the method arises when the analytical solution of the semi-discretized system is not available, which is the case for numerous problems. In the most recent attempt to solve the issue, a shooting method was proposed for elastostatic problems. Generality of the method removes any concerns regarding the type of governing equations since it no longer needs any... 

Seismic modeling of massive structures requires special caution, as wave propagation effects significantly affect the responses. This becomes more crucial when the path-dependent behavior of the material is considered. The coexistence of these conditions renders numerical earthquake analysis of concrete dams challenging. Herein, a finite element model for a comprehensive nonlinear seismic simulation of concrete gravity dams, including realistic soil-structure interactions, is introduced. A semi-infinite medium is formulated based on the domain reduction method in conjunction with standard viscous boundaries. Accurate representation of radiation damping in a half-space medium and wave... 

Dynamic analysis of problems with complex geometries requires utilization of numerical methods. To completely capture the effects of seismic wave propagation in a system, one must consider the structure or irregularity within its encompassing half-space. Correct consideration of half-space in a numerical model is important specially when it comes to cases where the half-space contains semi-infinite irregularities. In this study, a generalized numerical methodology is presented for dynamic analysis of a half-space with semi-infinite irregularities. The methodology is first verified through comparison with analytical solution of known problems. Then the method is employed to solve the dynamic... 

A fracture energy-based constitutive model of concrete in the framework of continuum damage mechanics is formulated. Elastic, viscoelastic, and viscoplastic mechanisms are defined in a fictitious undamaged material state, the so-called effective configuration. A linear spring and a linear dashpot characterize the viscoelastic response of concrete. The viscoplastic behavior is also described using a linear spring, a nonlinear dashpot, and a slider with constant frictional resistance. The nonlinear dashpot of the viscoplastic body is formulated using a logarithmic function so that the model can reproduce valid strength magnifications under a wide range of strain rates. As a result, a... 

The classical theory of elasticity relies on the perfect structure of matter. No matter how small a medium is, it always stays homogeneous—but the reality is different. Even though the classical continuum mechanics suffices well for describing phenomena that evolve at super-microscopic scales, it ceases to reproduce reasonable responses when the size effects are pronounced. It is due to the local constitutive equations of classical continuum mechanics, which are devoid of any length scales associated with the underlying microstructure. The gradient-dependent theory of elasticity redresses this shortcoming by incorporating the kinematic quantities of the corresponding representative volume...