Linear Bending Analysis by the Boundary Element Method of Building Floor Structures with Columns Defined in the Domain

Abstract

In this work, the building floor structure is modelled by a BEM (Boundary Element Method) formulation based on Kirchhoff’s hypothesis. The presented BEM formulation to perform linear bending analysis is derived by applying the reciprocity theorem to zoned plates, where the beams are treated as thin sub-regions with larger rigidities. This composed structure is treated as a single body, being the equilibrium and compatibility conditions automatically taken into account. In order to reduce the number of degrees of freedom some kinematics hypothesis are assumed along the beam cross section. Thus the values remain defined on the beam skeleton line instead of its interface. The columns are introduced into the formulation by considering domain points where tractions can be prescribed. Some numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy of the proposed model.