A beam segment element for dynamic analysis of large aqueducts

Large aqueduct structure is a complex structure that is commonly used in hydraulic engineering, especially in large-scale water conveying projects. The analysis of dynamic response for an aqueduct structure is necessary if the aqueduct is built in an earthquake area. Traditional 3D finite element analysis is time consuming and the existing simplified response method cannot take into account all the effects, such as the bending-torsion coupling effect and the constrained torsion, of the deformations of the thin wall structure of the aqueduct body. For this special structure, a simple and yet accurate model for dynamic analysis is needed. In this paper, a beam segment element is developed and used for the calculation of dynamic response for aqueduct structures. With the frame of the aqueduct being modeled using beam element, the proposed model can calculate the dynamic response of the whole aqueduct structures. Results are compared with that of a general purpose finite element analysis software using 3D finite element model. Good agreement is achieved between the two models. However, the proposed model needs less elements and much less computing time.