Use of applied element method for structural analysis

摘要

Applied Element Method (AEM) is a numerical analysis used in prediction the behavior of structures. The modeling of objects in AEM has the ability to simulate structural behavior through all stages of loading as well as evaluating seismic behavior of structures. This paper presents the advantages of AEM in comparison with FEM (Finite Element Method). It describes the theory, formulation and algorithm of the method for static and dynamic analysis of structures. The application of AEM is illustrated through the organization of two FORTRAN source codes: AEMST and AEMDN through static and dynamic analysis of frames. The validation results of the programs are also evaluated by some examples. Results show static analysis using AEMST has high accuracy of the program despite simplicity of AEM in theory and formulation. In addition, several selection criteria in order to select the appropriate size of elements and number of connecting springs are proposed for different situations. Besides, dynamic analysis was performed in AEMDN using Newmark-beta method directly and WYD (Wilson, Yuan, and Dickens) Ritz vectors. Results show high accuracy of AEM and AEMDN for dynamic analysis. It also illustrated the lowest processing time needed for WYD Ritz vectors as well as its accuracy.