The Applied Element Method (AEM), a discrete elements numerical modelling approach, has in the recent years been increasingly employed to assess the collapse capacity, as well as failure mechanisms and ensuing debris distribution, of structures subjected to seismic action. In the present work we therefore investigate the inner workings of this formulation, with a view to gain a better understanding of the reasons behind its modelling versatility and computational efficiency. To achieve this, the AEM is implemented in a purposedly developed software code, that is verified by means of a number of comparisons against literature case-studies, be them of an analytical, numerical or experimental nature. The results appear reassuring on the possibility of one being able to rely on this structural modelling approach to accurately capture and reproduce both the local, as well as global, response of structures, from their initial loading stages all the way up to full collapse.
EXPLICIT MODELLING OF STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE THROUGH THE APPLIED ELEMENT METHOD (AEM)
Gabbianelli G.
;Pinho R.
2024-01-01
Abstract
The Applied Element Method (AEM), a discrete elements numerical modelling approach, has in the recent years been increasingly employed to assess the collapse capacity, as well as failure mechanisms and ensuing debris distribution, of structures subjected to seismic action. In the present work we therefore investigate the inner workings of this formulation, with a view to gain a better understanding of the reasons behind its modelling versatility and computational efficiency. To achieve this, the AEM is implemented in a purposedly developed software code, that is verified by means of a number of comparisons against literature case-studies, be them of an analytical, numerical or experimental nature. The results appear reassuring on the possibility of one being able to rely on this structural modelling approach to accurately capture and reproduce both the local, as well as global, response of structures, from their initial loading stages all the way up to full collapse.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
