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Fictitious shell (Geometry)

Last modified by Iwona Budny Bjergø on 2022/01/18 12:24

Contents

In 1585034486489-367.png  3D Structure module a fictitious shell can be defined by clicking on 1585034769549-624.png. Fictitious shell is ideal to model a section with composite material, where the designer may calculate appropriate stiffness and fill the D, K and H stiffness values. Fictitious shell is also a powerful tool by the calculation of a section with complex geometry where the parameters are specified by the manufacturer of the structural element.

Definition steps

  1. If needed, set a proper position for the working plane.
  2. Start 1585034516514-459.png  Fictitious shell command from 1585034784336-808.png  tabmenu and choose 1585034789553-298.png  Define. In the tool-window the type of the edges (Rigid or Hinged) can be chosen.
    1585034525845-523.png
     
  3. Set the properties of the new plate at 1585034804035-754.png Default settings. The User can define the stiffness matrices (Membrane stiffness matrix, Flexural stiffness matrix and Shear stiffness matrix) and physical properties (Unit mass, distances of the planes where thermal load acts from the center plane, coefficient of thermal expansion).
    1585034816474-240.png

Stiffness of orthotropic shell element for fictitious shell can be calculated as follow:

1585034833782-670.png

warning.pngThese matrices belong to an orthotropic, homogenous, constant thickness shells according to Mindlin theory.
warning.pngThe H matrix is calculated as ρ*G*h (see in Profiled plate), where the ρ is the shear modification factor, the is the shear modulus and the is the thickness of the fictitious shell. For constant thickness the shear modification value is 5/6 = 1/1.2, this gives the equivalency of the energy of the shear forces and shear stresses.

As it is mentioned above, if the D, K and H stiffness values are calculated and filled in, then it is possible to model the sections with complex geometry and composite materials with new fictitious shell object. A few sections are shown below which can be handled by the help of fictitious shell.

Corrugated steel + Concrete floor

1585034913125-737.png

Corrugated steel + Timber floor

1585034919361-524.png