Structural analysis of reinforced concrete buildings
Context
With increasing risks from climate change and aging infrastructure, engineers need to better understand how reinforced and prestressed concrete buildings behave over time and under extreme events like earthquakes. Code_Aster provides advanced modeling tools to simulate creep, shrinkage, cracking, and seismic response, supporting safer and more cost-effective building design and maintenance.
Workflow overview
Step 1: Data collection
- Building geometry and material specs
- Environmental data (temperature, humidity)
- Structural monitoring data (if available)
- Seismic hazard inputs (ground motion records)
Step 2: Model setup in code_aster
- 3D mesh of the building and reinforcements by using Salomé
- Material models for creep, shrinkage, and nonlinear cracking (e.g., Mazars, Laborderie)
- Prestress and reinforcement modeled with tensioning profiles and plastic behavior
- Loads: gravity, live load, seismic input
Step 3: Scenario simulation
- Time-dependent analysis to study cracking and deflection over decades
- Seismic simulations to evaluate building response and damping systems
- Damage localization in critical areas (walls, slabs, columns)
Step 4: Forecast and mitigation
- Predict future deformation, stiffness loss, or crack propagation
- Assess retrofit strategies (added reinforcements, dampers)
- Run "what-if" scenarios to test design or usage changes
Outputs and impact
Key outputs
- Stress, strain, and crack evolution maps
- Prestress force distribution over time
- Seismic response curves (floor displacement, damper forces)
- Concrete damage indicators and leak risk zones
Decision support
- Maintenance scheduling based on degradation forecasting
- Seismic retrofitting prioritization
- Enhanced safety documentation for regulators
Example projects
- Simulation of strong ground motion to assess the need for seismic dampers on an office building
- Evaluation of long-term creep and shrinkage effects on prestressed slabs
- Estimation of the impact of adding modern loads to existing croncrete structures, including crack propagation risks
Advantages of using code_aster
- Rich nonlinear concrete modeling library
- Ability to simulate prestress, rebar, creep, and cracking in one unified model
- Possible interactions with geotechnical components
