Rigorous Conversion of Solid and Beam Element Solu-tions Based on Meta-Modeling

Abstract

Based on meta-modeling, which allocates structural mechanics as mathematical approximation of con-tinuum mechanics, this paper proposes a conversion method from a solid element solution to a beam element solution. A key issue is the rigorousness of the proposed conversion method, since meta-modeling ensures that the most suitable beam element solution is the one that is close to the solid element solution by defining a distance between these solutions in a function space of continuum mechanics. Examples of applying the conversion method are presented. It is shown that the conversion method produces a more accurate beam element solution from a solid element solution, compared to an ordinary method. It is also shown that the conversion method is applicable to a practical problem of an actual large-scale tunnel structure.