Dynamic structural analysis of beams

Abstract

The research reviews the various methods, accurate and approximate, analytical and numerical, used for the analysis of beams that are subjected to dynamic loads. A review of previous research is presented. A detailed description of one of the methods, the Simplified Elastic Plastic Method (the SEP Method), a well-developed approximate method, is given. A finite element model, built with the aid of the computer software ABAQUS, is described. Results of 20 experiments made by others are provided and used as a benchmark for the finite element analysis. The methodology used for the validation of the ABAQUS Model and the SEP Method is to do, for various study cases, a comparison between the experimental results, those computed using the ABAQUS Model and those predicted using the SEP Method. Having validated the ABAQUS Model, it has been used as a benchmark with which to check the SEP Method. Therefore, additional cases have been analysed using the ABAQUS Model in order to cover a more comprehensive range of variables. A good agreement has been found between the results. The accuracy of the ABAQUS model and the conservatism of the SEP Method are shown. A design procedure using the SEP Method has been developed. Calibration factors are also proposed in order to reduce the conservatism in the SEP Method. The results and recommendations of the research can be employed in the defence industry, civil and structural engineering.