engleski

The role of crack modelling in the analysis of cooling towers

In the endeavour to complex structures, as the cooling towers are, be designed more accurate and reliable it is necessary to model the predominant nonlinear material behaviour. The specialist finite element shell element program CONSHELL is developed. The program includes modelling of the most dominant nonlinear concrete and reinforcement behaviour. The layered shell element formulation permits an easy reinforcement location as it is its real position and profile. In order to illustrate the effectiveness of the code one 160-m tall already built cooling tower is analysed under the gravity and wind load. The results obtained show evident influence of structural cracking when it occurs. The need for the use of numerical models in the analysis of cooling towers which include at least the crack modelling (from the spectrum of real material nonlinearities) is apparent. A general proposal for the practical engineering use of nonlinear structural analysis in the line "linear pre-analysis - limit states' design - nonlinear control analysis" is discussed.

complex structures; finite shell element; nonlinear concrete and reinforcement behaviour; crack modelling

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