3D model masonry bridge

[Larisa GR]

Hello STKO Team

I'm modelling a masonry arch bridge with 4 spans in 3D compose of 3 materials and 3 types of "layers" lets say. Two exteriors that are the spandrels of the bridge and one interior layer that has the infill material. My analysis comprises a gravitational analysis with the self weight and then the application of an edge force on top of one of the arches.

The model works but I'm not sure of some issues:
1) It takes a lot of time to run the self weight analysis, is this right or is there any way to improve my model to make it go faster?
2) The second step works but the results in terms of damage are not "good" maybe is because I'm using an ElasticIsotropic material rather than a DamageTC3D?
3) If the edge load I applied is to high, the model doesn't converge and when I see the results up to the point of error, the elements presents a high deformation (like coming out of the model like and explosion), is this because I'm excessively exciding the limit of my material or is there some error that I'm missing?

The model is in kN and m.

Any suggestion, comment or improvement are more than welcome!

Thank you very much!

Larisa

[STKO Team]

Your elements are too deformed. In this case, it's easier (and also more accurate) to use unstructured tetra meshes.
Remember that the higher the distortion of an element, the worst its performance.

TET.png (291.6 KiB) Viewed 609 times

[Larisa GR]

Thank you very much!

[STKO Team]

You're weclome