Wednesday, April 1, 2026 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM, Grand G
This session will provide an opportunity for practitioners and researchers to share examples of the use of finite element models to solve complex problems. Presenters will discuss why finite element modeling was chosen and how they implemented the modeling. The primary goal will be to share experiences and lessons learned regarding finite element modeling of reinforced concrete structures.
Learning Objectives:
(1) Explore the use of finite element modeling techniques for a wide variety or problems;
(2) Share lessons learned from finite element modeling;
(3) Share best practices in modeling of concrete structures with finite elements;
(4) Provide examples of presenting finite element modeling results.
Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Beam Columns using LS-Dyna under Blast Loads
Presented By: Ganesh Thiagarajan
Affiliation: Univ of Missouri-Kansas City
Description: The research studies the behavior of reinforced beam-column joints under blast loading using LS-Dyna. Several different methodologies for analyzing blast loads are considered. They are the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) and the Structured ALE method. Several material models available in LS-Dyna are considered and compared. Validation of the model is being conducted using existing literature on blast loading on columns. The work will present the results of mesh sensitivity analysis and the overall behavior of the beam-column joint under various loading scenarios.
Finite Element Analyses for the Strengthening of Post-Tensioned Test Stand for Large Wind Turbine Blade Testing
Presented By: Jake Hughes
Affiliation: Simpson Gumpertz and Heger
Description: This paper will present on a Finite element Model developed to evaluate the strengthening of a large post-tensioned test stand for wind turbine blades. The focus of the talk will be on simplifying approaches and the use of post-processing in the preliminary design of the strengthening options.
Assessment of Safety Critical Reinforced Concrete Buildings in Nuclear Power Plant
Presented By: Jan Cervenka
Affiliation: Cervenka Consulting S.r.o.
Description: After the Fukushima accident, the European nuclear authorities requested extensive assessment of existing nuclear power plants. The presentation will discuss the numerical modelling using nonlinear finite element analysis of safety critical buildings in a nuclear power plant in Switzerland. The computational model consists of full 3D models of the critical buildings where for instance the power plant control room is located. The seismic assessment is performed using pushover as well as full nonlinear dynamic analyses using artificial seismic accelerograms in software ATENA. The numerical models are developed using the combination of 3D continuum solid elements and shell elements. The reinforcement is modeled using smeared reinforcement as well as discrete bar elements in order to develop the most efficient models. The paper will also focus on the discussion of possible modelling techniques as well as on the effective evaluation of results from nonlinear models and simulations.
Evaluation and Design of Footing Connection for Innovative Hollow-Core FRP-Concrete-Steel Composite Column
Presented By: Mohanad Abdulazeez
Affiliation: University of Missouri - Kansas City
Description: This paper numerically investigates the column-to-footing connections of an innovative composite column. The composite column consists of a concrete shell sandwiched between an outer fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tube and an inner steel tube. The inner steel tube is embedded into the footing connection of the hollow-core FRP-concrete-steel (HC-FCS) column. Test results revealed that full seismic ductile behavior was achieved for the HC-FCS column with high moment and drift capacities. An extensive number of finite element (FE) models were developed and conducted on a parametric study to provide in-depth understanding and design guidelines for such innovative HC-FCS column-to-footing connections. Fifty-on large-scale HC-FCS column-to-footing connections, having CSP embedded into the footing, were simulated using LS_DYNA software. The FE models were used to critically assess the effect of seven parameters on the seismic behavior of such a new column-to-footing connections. Consequently, design equations based on a simplified strut-and-tie model were proposed to determine the essential characteristics of the CSP for real-life applications.