The Use of Computer for

Engineering Calculations

Background

Ever increasing use of computers

Deliver results of calculation very quickly
Less time to think and rethink
Industry feedback over reliance on
computers
Incorrect modelling has led to mistakes,
even disasters.

Planning establishing purpose

The first step in modelling -- define clearly
the purpose of the work.
What do we want to learn from modelling the
engineering system?
How are the results to be used
How accurate do they need to be

Planning establishing purpose

Examples:
To decide the required size of beams, etc.
To check whether a design meets the
requirements in a code of practice
To predict deformation and stress distribution
To study dynamic behaviour
To investigate the effect of structural damage

Understand the purpose of the work

The roof of the Hartford civic
stadium incorporated several
novel features.
In fact the computer provided
only an estimate of the forces
in the members.
The capacity of the members to
sustain these loads, especially those
in compression, was not checked and
the original errors went unchecked.
The roof collapsed under the weight
of snow.

January 18, 1978

Planning - model planning

Model
Resource
Engineering model
(Real structures)
Hardware
Conceptual model
Software
Computational model
People
Calculate
Acceptance criteria
Performance criteria
Model validation
Results verification
Review
Revise no
meet requirements
yes Proceed

Clearly define acceptance criteria

An engineer was asked to produce the outline
design for a 3D space-truss structure
Drawings produced by a CAD program on which
the member forces were listed.
However, in order to detail the connections the
steel fabricator needed information about the
forces at the joints in specific directions
The program had to be re-run to provide
information in this form

Modelling
Be clear about the purpose of the model and how
the results are used
Do not use a model that is more complex than
necessary
Do not examine local behaviour in a model which
deals with overall behaviour
Use hand calculation to supplement engineering
judgement and assess expected behaviour
Start from simple and prepared for modification

Engineering Model
A description of the physical entry to be
studied in the modelling:
The overall geometry
The load bearing components
Supports
Materials
Loading

Conceptual Models

Derived from an engineering model

Introduces assumptions
Consider material behaviour
Structural theory

Conceptual Models
Should the model be 2D or 3D?
Where are the load paths and how does the
structure carry the load? Bending or torsion?
What are the potential failure mechanism?
Is local bending/stress important?
What are support conditions to be imposed?
How do the joints interact with other parts?
Does the structure interact with other bodies?
What will the loading be?
Will any second order effects be significant?

Appropriate Conceptual Models

The structural framework, supporting
pulverising machinery in a cement mill,
experienced intense horizontal vibrations
which affect the entire building.
Instead of using a full 3D model to study
the causes, the engineers mistakenly
selected a 2D model, which could represent
only vertical vibration.

Engineering Model

Conceptual Model
A Floor with Pinned Supports

Conceptual Model
A Floor with Fixed Supports

Conceptual Model
A Floor-Column Model

Computational Models
The result of describing a conceptual model
in a specific computer analysis program.
y

20 kN
Fy = 20 kN

Requirements for engineering model

Identify essential features of structures and the
loading on structures
Clear spans, frame centres, storey heights, wall
and slab sizes
Structural components and non-structural
components
Supports and connections

Requirements of Conceptual Model

It should adequately describe the behaviour
of the engineering model. For example

Have the B.C. been adequately modelled?

Do loads and load combinations cover all cases?
Have suitable material properties been selected?
How are the eccentricities considered?

Requirements of Computational Model

Whether it solves the conceptual model to a
satisfactory accuracy? For example

The date input should be peer reviewed

Warning and error messages are removed.
Results for standard solutions are satisfactory
Discretisation errors are removed.

Model Validation
Demonstrate that a model is suitable for its
intended purpose.
Validation can be fully addressed only
when the results are available.
All assumptions and approximations
adopted should be systematically revisited
and evidence sought to support them

Model Validation
Evidence may invalidate a model, for example

Stresses higher than yield in a linear analysis

Higher stresses outside recognised load paths
Large deformation in a small-deflection model
Boundary effect contrary to expectation or
assumptions

Checking all assumptions

An engineer modelled the cables in a stadium
glass window frame
Bar elements were used, which are capable to
carry both tension and compression
The window failed during a wind storm
The resulting compression overcame initial
tension
Failed to check the no compression assumption

Verifying Results
Demonstrate that the computational model has
been solved correctly.
Do the results correspond to what was expected?
Check input and output for obvious errors
Check overall equilibrium
Check support conditions have been applied
Check for symmetry if present
Check deflection shape and distribution of stress
Compare results with those from other programs

Verifying Results
-0.9883E-3

Estimated Bending Stress Distribution Along the Cross-Section AB

Y

LOAD CASE

0.20
X

Loadcase 1
1

STRESS
CONT OURS OF SE

0
7.09024E6
14.1805E6
21.2707E6
28.361E6
35.4512E6

0.16

Distance from B (m)

RESULT S FILE =

0.12
0.08

Lusas
Cantilever
Fixed-Fixed

0.04

42.5414E6
49.6317E6
56.7219E6
63.8122E6

0.00

70.9024E6
77.9926E6
85.0829E6
92.1731E6
99.2633E6
106.354E6
Max 0.1169E+09 at Node 578
Min 0.3465E+07 at Node 279

-300.0

-200.0

-100.0

0.0

100.0
2

Bending Stress x (N/mm )

200.0

300.0

Check data and verify output

The roof of an aircraft hanger was designed
as a reinforced concrete folded plate
A computer aided design software was used
The designer failed to tick the appropriate
box on the input form and as a result selfweight was not taken into account
The structure had to be strengthened, at
considerable expenses, after completion

Typical Composite Structure

Checking Results
Use a simplified or equivalent model for
hand calculation.
Convert an unknown problem to a known
problem
Apply the basic concepts

Modelling in Your Designs

2D or 3D model?
How to model cables?
How to model towers?
How to model trusses?
How to model a connection?

A temporary grandstand

Back of the Grandstand

Engineering (AutoCad) Model

Computer Model

11000 mm

18004 mm

25720 mm

Z
X

First Vibration Mode