help me

stefania · Post by **stefania** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:58 am

how can i model a masonry arch?
If i proceed like example 7.1 I can't use an uniaxial material, like I would.
But if I use a non linear beam column element I can't model a curve element ....

ekalkan · Post by **ekalkan** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:54 am

Why dont you approximate arch with many but short length nonlinear beam column elements.

silvia · Post by **silvia** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:59 am

i'd try the displacement-based element if I were going to use many elements consecutively.

stefania · Post by **stefania** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:23 pm

i can't approximate arch with many but short length nonlinear beam column elements, because in the joint that connect 2 contiguous elements there is compenetration of the sections....

silvia · Post by **silvia** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:05 pm

you might have to write your own elements for that, then.
what's compenetration?

silvia

ekalkan · Post by **ekalkan** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:10 pm

How about rigid links or zero length elements for joint problem.
or you may want to use brick elements to model whole arch

stefania · Post by **stefania** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:15 am

for compenetration i intend that a part of the end section of an element enter into the first section of the contiguous element... think to 2 contiguous beams (with rectangular section) with a different inclination of the z axis...

may i associate a non linear material to a brick element?