A LOCAL-GLOBAL FE MODEL FOR NONLINEAR-ANALYSIS OF COLUMN-SUPPORTED SHELLS OF REVOLUTION

A local-global finite element model suitable for the analysis of colum n-supported shells is presented, The model combines, in a single analy sis, axisymmetric shell elements, general shell elements, and column e lements, Axisymmetric or rotational shell elements are employed in the axisymmetric portion of the tower in which the nonaxisymmetric behavi or in loading and deformation is accounted for by including appropriat e Fourier harmonics. The column-supported area is modeled using indivi dual column elements. The local zone is identified as the region consi sting of the column elements and the general shell elements inserted b etween the column-support area and the axisymmetric shell portion. In addition, any deviation from the axisymmetric geometry of the shell, s uch as imperfections or cut-outs, can be easily included in the local zone. An example which uses the proposed procedure as well as a commer cial program is presented. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.