OOFEM – An Object Oriented Framework for Finite Element Analysis

This paper presents the design principles and structure of the object-oriented finite element software OOFEM, which has been under active development for several years. The main advantages of the presented framework include modular design, extensibility, and robustness. The code itself is freely available and is distributed under GNU public license. It provides tools for linear and nonlinear analysis of mechanical and transport problems on sequential and parallel computers.

Triangulation of 3D Surfaces Recovered from STL Grids

In the present paper, an algorithm for the discretization of parametric 3D surfaces has been extended to the family of discrete surfaces represented by stereolithography (STL) grids. The STL file format, developed for the rapid prototyping industry, is an attractive alternative to surface representation in solid modeling. Initially, a boundary representation is constructed from the STL file using feature recognition. Then a smooth surface is recovered over the original STL grid using an interpolating subdivision procedure. Finally, the reconstructed surface is subjected to the triangulation accomplished using the advancing front technique operating directly on the surface. The capability of the proposed methodology is illustrated on an example.

Effect of Stirrups on Behavior of Normal and High Strength Concrete Columns

This paper deals with an experimental investigation and numerical simulation of reinforced concrete columns. The behavior of normal and high strength columns is studied, with special attention paid to the confinement effects of transversal reinforcement in columns with a square cross section. The character of a failure, and the strengths, ductility and post-peak behavior of columns are observed in experiments and also in numerical solution. A three-dimensional computational model based on the microplane model for concrete was constructed and compared with experimental data. The results of the numerical model showed good agreement in many aspects, and proved the capabilities of the used material model.

Dry Separation of Brown Coal Fly Ash, Determination of Properties of Separated Parts, and Their Application in High Volume Cementitious Pastes

The dry separation of brown coal fly ash of density 2.21 g/cm3, specific surface area 5112 cm2/g, having d50 and d97 of 60 and 231 µm was carried out in this research using ultrafine air classifier. Classifiers wheel speed was increased from 2000 to 10000 rpm to obtain fine and coarse products. Median diameter of 5.62 µm was obtained for fine products at a speed of 10000 rpm with nearly 90% decrease in median particle size as compared raw fly ash. Particle morphology was observed on optical, electron microscopes which showed that at 10000 rpm classifiers wheel speed, average fine particles morphology changed from angular and rounded slaggy particles to spherical particles. Cement – 60% fine products samples showed an increase of 26% of compressive strength at 90 days as compared to raw fly ash and linear relationship was developed between median diameter of fines and compressive strength

Novel anisotropic continuum-discrete damage model capable of representing localized failure of massive structures. Part II: identification from tests under heterogeneous stress field

In Part I of this paper we have presented a simple model capable of describing the localized failure of a massive structure. In this part, we discuss the identification of the model parameters from two kinds of experiments: a uniaxial tensile test and a three-point bending test. The former is used only for illustration of material parameter response dependence, and we focus mostly upon the latter, discussing the inverse optimization problem for which the specimen is subjected to a heterogeneous stress field.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, 6 table

Comparison of creep of the cement pastes included fly ash

The paper is devoted to comparison of creep of cement pastes containing fly ash admixture. The size of creep in time depends on the amount of components of the cement paste. Attention is paid to the content of classical fly ash in cement paste and its impact on the size of creep. The moisture of cement pastes is distinguished because it significantly affects the rheological properties of the material

Mechanical behaviour and durability of high volume fly ash cementitious composites

The purpose of this research is to separate different morphological particles of ASTM class F fly ash, and study their effect on mechanical behaviour and durability of high volume cementitious mixtures. In this research wet separation of raw fly ash is carried out, which resulted in three layers of different morphological particles. The first layer of particles float, comprise of about 1-5% of fly ash, is identified as cenospheres or hollow spheres. The second layer of particles is measured to be 55-60% of raw fly ash and consisting of porous spherical and rounded particles rich in Si and Al. The third layer particles is measured to be about 35-40% of raw fly ash. High volume fly ash cementitious composites containing second or third layer particles are tested under compression and bending, highlighting a higher strength and ductility in comparison to cementitious ones containing raw fly ash particles.&nbsp

Effects of Wet Separated and High Speed Milling Fly Ash Added in High Volume to Cementitious Materials

In this research high speed milling was carried out on particles of brown coal raw fly ash, on second layer, and on third layer particles obtained from wet separation of brown coal raw fly ash. Due to milling process, median particle size d50 of raw fly ash, second layer, and third layer reduced by 46 %, 23 %, and 77 %, densities reduced by 11 %, 17 %, and 8 % respectively. Due to milling process, formation of agglomerations was observed, the standard deviation of the chemical composition of each element from the mean value reduced. After milling, high volume cementitious paste mixes were prepared with 60 % cement replacement. Due to the milling process the increase in compressive strength at 28 and 90 days was observed for raw fly ash is 59 % and 16 %, for second layer is 12 % and 15 %, for third layer and milled third layer is 78 % and 75 %. Flexural strength testing showed that due to the milling process the deflections at maximum loads have reduced considerably leading to brittle behavior of milled cementitious specimens. The testing for Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry showed that the cementitious specimens of third layer have maximum concentration of large capillary pores between 0.05 and 10 µm, whereas, all others have maximum concentration of medium capillary pores between 0.01 and 0.05 µm. Autogenous shrinkage of cementitious specimens was measured for first sixteen hours after mixing which showed that the second layer particles have the least shrinkage as compared to all other specimens