An automated construction method of finite element model from point cloud data of a steel bridge pier

Abstract

The method was developed to automatically generate an FEM model of a steel highway pier, which is expected to behave in a complex manner during earthquakes, from point cloud data that can measure the three-dimensional shape of the object, without relying on drawings. The FEM model generated by the proposed method (point cloud model) and the FEM model created manually from the information in the drawings (drawing model) were subjected to the same loads and their behaviors were verified. It was found that the point cloud model tended to be slightly lower in terms of yield load, maximum load, and stress distribution near local deformation. There are two possible explanations for this factor: the discrepancy between the actual structure and the drawing due to initial imperfections, or the insufficient accuracy of the proposed method.