Fast iterative solvers for geomechanics in a commercial FE code

There is a pressing need to improve the feasibility of three-dimensional finite element (FE) methods applied to many problems in civil engineering. This is particularly the case for static analyses in geotechnical engineering: ideally, models would be 3D, follow the actual geometry, use non-linear material formulations and allow simulation of construction sequences, and all of this with a reasonable degree of accuracy. One major obstacle to improvements in this regard is the difficulty in solving of the set of (linearised) algebraic equations which arises from a typical discretisation approach. Very large systems become cumbersome for direct techniques to solve economically. This paper describes the incorporation of iterative (rather than direct) solution techniques, developed through University research, into commercial FE software for geotechnics

Программные комплексы 3D моделирования - незаменимый инструмент для решения задач в области геологии

The article considers: software packages used in the oil and gas industry and geology; software 3D modeling, its capabilities in geological, geophysical, hydrogeological, drilling and design data processing; use of the AutoCAD Civil 3D and 3G software packages in oil and gas or geological companies for calculation of oil productive area and estimation of petroleum reserves

High-Fidelity Roadway Modeling and Simulation

Roads are an essential feature in our daily lives. With the advances in computing technologies, 2D and 3D road models are employed in many applications, such as computer games and virtual environments. Traditional road models were generated by professional artists manually using modeling software tools such as Maya and 3ds Max. This approach requires both highly specialized and sophisticated skills and massive manual labor. Automatic road generation based on procedural modeling can create road models using specially designed computer algorithms or procedures, reducing the tedious manual editing needed for road modeling dramatically. But most existing procedural modeling methods for road generation put emphasis on the visual effects of the generated roads, not the geometrical and architectural fidelity. This limitation seriously restricts the applicability of the generated road models. To address this problem, this paper proposes a high-fidelity roadway generation method that takes into account road design principles practiced by civil engineering professionals, and as a result, the generated roads can support not only general applications such as games and simulations in which roads are used as 3D assets, but also demanding civil engineering applications, which requires accurate geometrical models of roads. The inputs to the proposed method include road specifications, civil engineering road design rules, terrain information, and surrounding environment. Then the proposed method generates in real time 3D roads that have both high visual and geometrical fidelities. This paper discusses in details the procedures that convert 2D roads specified in shape files into 3D roads and civil engineering road design principles. The proposed method can be used in many applications that have stringent requirements on high precision 3D models, such as driving simulations and road design prototyping. Preliminary results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method

Development of low cost packaged fibre optic sensors for use in reinforced concrete structures

There is an ongoing need to measure strains in reinforced concrete structures more reliably and under a range of circumstances e.g. long term durability (such as effects of cracking and reinforcement corrosion), response to normal working loads and response under abnormal load conditions. Fibre optic sensors have considerable potential for this purpose and have the additional advantages, including of immunity to electromagnetic interference and light weight (Grattan et al., 2000). This is important in railway scenarios and particularly so when the lines are electrified. Their small size allows for easy installation. However, their use as commercial ‘packaged’ devices (traditionally seen as necessary to achieve adequate robustness) is limited by their high cost relative to other sensor devices such as encapsulated electric resistance strain gauges. This paper describes preliminary work to produce a cost-effective and easy-to-use technique for encapsulating fibre optic sensors in resin using 3D printing techniques to produce a robust, inexpensive ‘packaged’ sensor system suitable for use with concrete structures. The work done to date has shown this to be a convenient and economical way of producing multiple sensors which were suitable for both surface mounting and embedment in reinforced concrete structures. The proof-of-concept testing to which the trial packages were subjected is described in the paper and the results indicate that 3D printed packages have considerable potential for further development and use in a variety of civil engineering applications, competing well with more conventional sensor systems

Simulations as Part of the BIM Concept in Urban Management

Smart city management is part of the Smart Cities concept and can be an essential element for further development in this area. The BIM concept, based on a 3D model, data and for all the beneficial cooperation, expands exponentially in the civil engineering. However, the BIM concept is so broad and there are many possibilities in his area, that the development will take many years. One of these areas may be simulations that are not so widely used so far, but which can very well specify different situations and conditions. For these conditions, buildings or cities can be prepared in advance to prevent crises or unnecessary costs. The simulations and the results obtained from them can help us in the decision making phase. They predict problems or situations that can occur during the life cycle and thus prevent them from occurring. Based on the information we receive, we can objectively decide on the design solution, the material, the internal arrangement or, for example, the location of the building in the surrounding area

3D numerical model in nonlinear analysis of the interaction between subsoil and SFCR slab

For decades attention has been paid to interaction of foundation structures and subsoil and, in turn, to development of interaction models. Complexity of a static solution is given mainly by selection of a computational model, effects of physical-nonlinear behaviour of such structure and co-effects of the upper structure and the foundation structure.). Input data for numerical analysis were observed experimental loading test of steel-fibre reinforced concrete slab. The loading was performed using unique experimental equipment which was constructed in the area Faculty of Civil Engineering, VSB-TU Ostrava. Homogeneous half-space this takes no account and calculated settlement is strongly dependent on the size of the subsoil model, as parametric study demonstrated. The modulus of deformability changes continuously, depending on the depth, in the inhomogeneous half-space. Values calculated by 3D numerical model were compared with values measured during the loading test of steel-fibre concrete slab.Web of Science133512712

Creation of 3D model of building

Cílem této práce je vytvoření 3D modelu budovy fakulty stavební Vysokého učení technického v Brně. Model je vytvořen na základě geodetického zaměření a zpracování probíhá v programu Sketch up. Výstupem je 3D model potažený texturami a zhodnocení možnosti prezentace modelu na internetu.The aim of this work is to create a 3D model of the faculty of civil engineering, Brno university of technology. The dimensions of the model are based on geodetic measuring and elaborated in Sketch up. The main output of this work is a model of above mentioned building covered by textures and evaluate the possibility of presentation the model on the internet.

Web-Based Roadway Geometry Design Software for Transportation Education

Traditionally, students use pencil and ruler to lay out lines and curves over contour maps for roadway geometry design. Numerous calculations of stopping sight distance, minimum turning radius, and curve alignments are required during the roadway design process in order to ensure safety, to minimize economic and environmental impacts, as well as to reduce construction costs. Iterative computations during the design process are usually performed manually by the students in order to meet any given design criteria and environmental constraints. The traditional design process of roadway geometry design is often cumbersome and time consuming. It limits students from taking a broader perspective on the overall roadway design process. An Internet-based roadway design tool (ROAD: Roadway Online Application for Design) was developed to enhance the learning experience for transportation engineering students. This tool allows students to efficiently design and to easily modify the roadway design with given economic and environmental parameters. A 3D roadway geometry model can be generated by the software at final design to allow students immerse themselves in the driver’s seat and drive through the designed roadway at maximum design speed. This roadway geometry design tool was deployed and tested in a civil engineering undergraduate class in spring 2006 at University of Minnesota, Department of Civil Engineering. Feedback was collected from instructors and students that will lead to additional enhancements of the roadway design software.