Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on Beams and Columns (first simulation)

After a week of part modelling, assembly, and sorting out error messages related to mesh sizes and boundary conditions errors with composite parts,

are the first FEA analysis results on individual parts of the World Tech Center Twin Towers' floor beams, vertical columns, and the UHPC concrete core section. These simulations took Chryslar several hours to compute (using university computers with limited specs).

The vertical column was subjected to a 2000 tonne load without concrete in-fill to test the strength of the steel itself. The 16m long floor beams were loaded with 5 kN/m^2 distributed force in addition to the 44 tonne concrete floor slab segment measuring 16 by 8 metres and 15cm thick. Each of the four corner sub-blocks (two simulated so far) of the UHPC core were subjected to a 50,000 tonne vertical load (estimated weight/pressure near the base of the 460 metre tower over that sectioned area minus the exterior load from the external columns). As predicted the Principal and Von-Mises stresses experienced under the structural load and weight of the building are well-within the yield strength of the steel alloys and the compressive strength of the UHPC core. For the record, UHPC is around ten times stronger than regular concrete.

The full list of test performance results in each member will be published soon on our website.