AEM Element Generation:

The modeling of any object in Applied Element Method (AEM) is very similar to the Finite Element Method (FEM) where the object is divided into a series of elements connected together. The main difference between AEM and FEM is in the way that these elements are connected together.

In AEM, the structural models continuum is separated into elements connected together through nonlinear springs which represent the material behavior. AEM models are capable of simulating accurate material behavior for reinforced concrete and steel sections.

Because connecting springs represent both axial and shear deformations, several types of springs are used to accurately recreate the overall behavior of the modeled structure:

• Matrix Springs
• Reinforcing Bar Springs
• Contact Springs

Matrix Springs:  Matrix springs are those springs that connect two adjacent elements and represent the main structural material. For example, when solving for a reinforced concrete structure, these springs represent the concrete part, but when solving for a steel structure, these springs represent the steel springs. These springs adopt all forms of materials and properties.

Reinforcement Springs:  Reinforcement springs are those springs representing steel bars as shown. Reinforcement springs have material properties, exact location and dimension of the represented reinforcement bar. Similar to matrix springs, three springs are set at the intersection of the reinforcement bar and the element boundary. The normal spring assumes the direction of the reinforcement bar regardless of the element''s orientation.

Reinforcement Springs

Contact Springs:  In the event of a collision or contact between two elements of the same or different material properties, three contact springs, one normal and two shear, are generated to help determine the resulting behavior. These three springs are then added to each contact point.