Numerical analysis using grid and finite element method Case study

Abstract

Technological advancement has led to the development of computer programs with great capacityto represent the reality of reinforced concrete structures. Each software has particularities resultingfrom the different mathematical methods used in its algorithm, so that they present different results regarding the stresses, deformations and displacements of the structures. This paper evaluatedstructural aspects of the slabs of the standard floor of a collective housing composed of fifteenstandard floors, considering two different numerical analyzes (grid and finite element method, MEF),using the software SAP2000 V14® and Eberick V8®, respectively. The maximum positive andnegative moments, maximum displacements, processing time and number of nodes generated wereevaluated in order to subsequently make the quantitative and qualitative comparison between themethods, as well as the budgets from each dimensioning. Regarding the results obtained, the gainand computational time between the methods used were not very significant, however, the MEFprovided smaller quantities, with a significant reduction in steel for the slabs. Thus, althoughstructural safety has been evaluated and achieved for both methods used, the article shows that theFEM is preferable to the grid method, considering mainly the cost reduction provided for the projectused in the case study.