Concrete Block Optimization

Dillon JonesAndrew Schermerhorn

Overview

• Two models of the concrete block• Setup in Abaqus• Tests that were ran to analyze the designs• Problems encountered during analysis• Solutions to issues• Results• Questions

Two Designs of the Concrete Block

Base Model Keyway Model

Setup in Abaqus• Imported a SolidWorks model into Abaqus• Set concrete properties and applied them to the model

• Determined the applied forces to best analyze the two models of blocks

Concrete Material PropertiesElastic Yeild Strength Poisson's Ratio

3.1027E+10 0.2Concrete Damaged Plasticity Yield Stress Cracking Strain

2.90E+06 01943930 6.6185E-051303050 0.00012286

873463 0.000173427Concrete Tension Damage Damage Parameter Cracking Strain

0 00.381217 6.6185E-050.617107 0.000122860.763072 0.000173427

Tests that were ran to analyze the designs

• Focused on what would be the weakest points– Pressures experienced by the bottom block in a

complete assembly– Forces pushing outwards on the pegs to simulate

handling and installation– Forces pushing inwards on the pegs to simulate

handling and dropping of the block

Problems Encountered in Analysis

• Concentrated forces failed due to “too much time spent on an increment”

• Issues meshing the Keyway Block due to difficult geometries and node distortion

• Generating identical forces on both geometries

Solutions to Concentrated forces

• Changed the concentrated forces to pressure over the entire face of the peg

• Changed the number of increments for the step in the job

Solutions to meshing the Keyway Block

• The first solution was to use the cutting tool in the part tab and divide the block into multiple parts– This allowed us to mesh each part individually– The bottom up meshing technique was used for

the difficult shapes• The second solution was to adjust and change

the model in SolidWorks to have a better geometry for Abaqus

RESULTS

Bottom Block Analysis

Base Model Keyway Model

Forces Pushing Outwards Base Model Weak side Keyway Model Weak side

Base Model Strong side Keyway Model Strong side

Forces Pushing Inwards Base Model Weak side

Base Model Strong side

Keyway Model Weak side

Keyway Model Strong side

Comparisons

% Difference of Key WayKey In Regular

Bottom Block 5.40E+05 5.20E+05 3.85%

Inner Weak Peg 1.90E+04 1.30E+04 46.15%

Outer Weak Peg 1.90E+04 1.50E+04 26.67%

Inner Strong Peg 1.11E+04 1.20E+04 -7.50%

Outer Strong Peg 1.10E+04 1.30E+04 -15.38%**A negative implies that the key in is stronger