CHAPTER - 5

SPECIMEN CALCULATIONS
5.1 General:

In this chapter, the proposed method of study is explained in form of several steps, primarily
involving two stages: 1) Finite element modeling 2) Artificial neural networks. The first stage
involves development of finite element models of infill frames and corresponding equivalent
strut models. The next stage involves running a neural net program, wherein the data and results
obtained from FE modeling are suitably modified to obtain training patterns, which are used for
training the net.

In the present dissertation work, three different infill panels, having dimensions (length x height)
as follows: i) 4mts X 3mts, ii) 3mts X 3mts and iii) 3mts X 5mts were studied. In this chapter all
the calculations carried out, from FE modeling to training of neural net is explained in detail for
panel dimension 4mts X 3mts. Similar calculations were carried out for other models.

5.2 Finite element analysis of infill frames using ANSYS:

FE analysis of infill frames, to obtain the width of equivalent strut for replacing infill, involves
following steps;

1. Modeling of bounding frame of infill, formed by beams and columns.

2. Modeling of masonry infill with/without openings (door, window, door & window).
3. Modeling of frame-infill interface.
4. Applying suitable boundary and loading conditions.
5. Obtaining stabilized model of infill frame for conditions considered.
6. Obtaining the values of strain energy and deflection at point of application of load, for
stabilized model.
7. Modeling equivalent strut model.
8. Obtaining the width of diagonal strut to replace infill, by matching the values of strain
energy and deflection at point of application of load, of equivalent strut models to that of
corresponding FE models of infill panels initially developed.

For an infill panel dimension of 4mts x 3mts, 4 different positions of infill panels are modeled.
These models are assumed to suitably represent, corresponding infill panel locations in a
multistoried structure. The infill panel positions are;
 1. Infill frame with beams and columns extending from all the four corners. (central panel)
2. Infill frame with beams and columns extending from 2 adjacent sides.
a. bottom side and one of either of sides of frame immediate adjacent to bottom side
forming 2 adjacent sides.(corner panel)
3. Infill frame with beams and columns extending from 3 adjacent sides.
a. Bottom side and either sides of frame forming 3 adjacent sides (top central panel)
b. Top phase folllowed by one of either sides of frame and bottom side forming 3
adjacent sides. (side panel)

For each panel position 4 types of infill conditions are considered

1. Infill without opening

2. Infill with door opening
3. Infill with window opening
4. Infill with door and window opening

A breif idea of the models developed for each infill panel dimension proposed to be considered
is explained by fig[]. Evidently it can be understood that for panel dimensions of 4mts x 3mts;
models are prepared for each panel position: central,corner,top central & side panel, and in each
panel position, the models are diffrentiated again by considering panel conditions: with/without
openings. A total of 32 FE models are prepared for 4mts x 3mts panel dimension. out of which
16 are models of infill frames and 16 are equivalent strut models corresponditing to the
conditions of initally modelled infill frames.

Infill panel dimension Infill panel position Infill condition

5.2.1 FE modeling of bounding frame of infill:

The bounding frame surrounding the infill/masonary panel is formed by connecting beams and
columns provided in the structure. The member ends, points of intersection of beams and
columns; are plotted as nodal points on the workbench of ansys using appropriate x,y,z-co-
ordinate distances. The nodal points are joined using lines to complete the geometric model.The
geometric model for all the infill panel conditions proposed to be studied are modeled in similar
process.

Working with ANSYS;

Step 1: The node-coordinate data is tabulated.

Panel dimensions : 4mts x 3mts or 4000mm x 3000mm. Tabel[] gives node-coordinate

data for central panel position.

Coordinates in Global Cartesian system

Node no.
X (mm) Y (mm) Z(mm)
1 0 0 0
2 0 3000 0
3 0 6000 0
4 0 9000 0
5 4000 0 0
6 4000 3000 0
7 4000 6000 0
8 4000 9000 0
9 -4000 3000 0
10 -4000 6000 0
11 8000 3000 0
12 8000 6000 0

Table :
Step 2: ANSYS mechanical APDL is lauched from the application. A mechanical output window
and utility menu are launched. The output window displays the working sequence of ansys as we
work in utility menu.

Step 3: Following steps are performed to choose appropriate element type.

3.1: In the Utility Menu, find Main Menu, select Preprocessor > Element Type >
Add/Edit/Delete.

3.2: On the Element Types dialog box, click Add…

3.3: On the Library of Element Type dialog box, select Structural Beam in the left list box
first and then select 2 node 188 element , assign Element type reference number as 1.

3.4: Click OK to accept the element. Close the Element Types dialog box.

Fig:

Step 4: Following steps are peformed to choose appropriate material property.

4.1: In the Main Menu , select Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Models.

4.2: On the Define Material Model Behaviour dialog box, double-click Structural > Linear
> Elastic > Isotropic in the material models available list box.

4.3: On the Linear Isotropic Properties For Material Number 1 dialog box, enter 29580
for EX and 0.15 fo PRXY representing value of young’s modulus(N/mm2) and
poission’s ratio of the material being modeled.
4.4: Click OK and close Define Material Model Behaviour dialog box.

Fig:

Step 5: Section properties of beams and columns forming the bounding frame are assigned in
this step. The beams and columns are proposed to have common cross sectional
dimensions of 300mm x 300mm.

5.1: In the Main Menu , select Preprocessor > Sections > Beam > Common Sections.

5.2: On the Beam Tool dialog box, for section ID 1, offset to Centroid is selected. Breadth
B and depth/height H of beam/column is entered as 300 and click on OK.
Fig:

Step 6: Modeling the frame using node-coordinate data tabulated in step 1.

6.1 In the Main Menu , select Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Keypoints > In Active
CS.

6.2 on the Create Keypoints in Active Coordinate System dialog box, eneter
Keypoint/Node number and corresponding X,Y,Z Location in Active CS as formulated
in table[]. For example for first entry in table[]; Keypoint/ Node is entered 1 and X,Y,Z
Location in Active CS entered as 0 0 0 in invidual tab spaces provided to enter each
coordinate value. For second entry in table[], the value of Keypoint/ Node is entered as 2
and X,Y,Z Location in Active CS entered as 0 3000 0.

6.3 After each keypoint/node is entered click on APPLY, till all the nodes in table are
applied. Then click on OK. On the utility menu interface we can view the
keypoints/nodes created.
Fig:

6.4 In the Main Menu , select Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Lines > Lines >
Straight Line.

6.5 On the Create Straight Line dialog box, ensure that Pick option is selected. Using
cursor select the keypoints/nodes between which we want to draw a straight line. For
example, select keypoints 1 and 2, 2 and 3 etc. Two keypoints are selected each time to
draw lines.

6.6: A sequence may be followed to ensure better understanding. The sequence in with
keypoints are selected is as follows : 1&2, 2&3, 3&4, 5&6, 6&7, 7&8, 10&3, 3&7,
7&12, 9&2 ,2&6, 6&11. The line numbers, for lines thus obtained correspond to the
sequence in which they are drawn. Click OK and close Create Straight Line dialog box.

6.7: To view the keypoint and line numbers while modeling, in Utility Menu find Plot
Controls > Numbering, ON the keypoint numbers and line numbers click on Apply.
Again in Utility Menu find Plot > Multiplots to display the numbers.
 Fig:

Step 7: Meshing the frame developed, and assigning the choosen element, material and sectional
data entered in steps 3,4,5 respectively.

7.1: In the Main Menu , select Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh Attribs > Default Attribs.

7.2: Meshing Attributes dialog box is displayed, wherein Default Attributes For Meshing
assigned are as follows; Element Type number – 1 Beam 188 (step 3), Material
number-1 (step 4) and Section number-1 (step 5), Element Coordinate Axis is
assigned to 0, indicating global cartesian system, and Real Constant set number refers
to plane stress/plane strain element( none is defined at this state).

7.3: The beams and columns extended by one span in the direction of beams as well as
columns(i.e lines L1, L3, L4, L6, L7, L9, L10, L12) are meshed to have one element
division. While the beams and columns forming the bounding frame(i.e L11, L2, L8, L5)
are meshed to have an element division of 20.

7.4: In the Main Menu , select Preprocessor > Meshing > Meshing Tool.
7.5: In the Mesh Tool dialog box, ensure Element Attributes are set at Global and Mesh
Option is set at Lines. Find Size Controls > Lines > Set

7.6: In the Element Size on Picked Lines dialog box, ensure that Pick,Single are selected to
enable selecting indiviual lines in geometric models to assign desired element size.

7.7: Using cursor, select lines L1, L3, L4, L6, L7, L9, L10, L12 > OK . In the dialogue box
displayed enter No. of element divisions as 1 and click on APPLY. From Mesh Tool
dialog box select Mesh option and reselect the lines to which the properties are to be
assigned. After selection click on OK option present in Element Size on Picked Lines
dialog box.

7.8: for meshing lines forming bounding frame, step 7.5, 7.6 are repeated. Using cursor, select
lines L11, L2, L8, L5 > OK . In the dialogue box displayed enter No. of element
divisions as 20 and click on APPLY. From Mesh Tool dialog box select Mesh option
and reselect the lines to which the properties are to be assigned. After selection click on
OK option present in Element Size on Picked Lines dialog box and close the Mesh
Tool dialog box.

Step 8: To view the meshed model of the frame, In the Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Style > Size
and Shape. Ensure that Display of element option is ON and click on OK.