Arch beam column imperfection - virtual Lab

The following application allows to obtain the movements and forces inside and outside the plane, and the resistant capacity of compressed and bended arches with a I-section, sensitive to buckling in the plane and laterally. To do this, the magnitudes of the equivalent imperfections are obtained and the imperfect structure is analyzed.

The objective is to determine the internal forces and movements existing in perfect and imperfect arches with linear and non-linear behavior and to determine the resistance of the sections used.

The geometry of the arch [span and height], type [combination of parabolic, circular and catenary], shape of the section, dimensions, materials, loads and boundary conditions inside and outside the plane are selected. Different graphs are obtained as results that show the internal forces and movements of the perfect and imperfect structure in linear and nonlinear calculation, and the proximity of the sections to their ultimate resistance. The values used by default give an example that can be understood with knowledge of mechanics of materials and steel structures. The results give different plots with displacements and internal forces that can be easily understood.

For more detailed background equations, please refer to the Beam_column_BACKGROUND_EQUATIONS.pdf .

More information at antonioagueroramonllin.blogs.upv.es.

The two-level mutual trust-based quality assurance scheme has been adopted:

• at the university level: Universitat Politècnica de València has applied its internal quality assurance procedures and structures to the proposal of Arch beam column imperfection - virtual Lab it submitted to ENHANCE and to its implementation - the related learning activities,
• at the Alliance level: the body composed of Education Officers has made decisions regarding the inclusion of Arch beam column imperfection - virtual Lab proposed by Universitat Politècnica de València to the Innovative Learning Campus part of the joint ENHANCE educational offer, based on the compliance with the formal requirements and ENHANCE goals.

Self-study

The tool facilitates elastic and plastic design of slender metal arches made of steel or aluminum with sections in class 1, 2 plastic behavior or 3 elastic behavior susceptible to buckling due to bending and/or compression. With imperfections outside and inside the plane of the structure.