In 2011, version 8.6 of the finite element-based structural analysis package Oasys GSA was released. A new feature in this release was the estimation of the 1-norm condition number…
Structural engineers need to understand the environmental impact of their designs. This paper describes a project undertaken to review the confusing array of data and provide an approach which links data, tools and real-life material specification.
At major transit terminals large, volumes of people, intricate operational procedures, and complex built environments present significant challenges to effective pedestrian facility design. Transbay Terminal in San Francisco is a prime example of layered complexity…
This brief technical note summarises the key methods in codes and the literature and how they are applied. It is a synthesis of papers presented by the author last year at the New Zealand Geotechnical Symposium and…
This paper describes how data collected from observed evacuation drills were used to validate the 3D agent-based pedestrian simulation tool, MassMotion, for egress modeling. MassMotion employs 3D environments and behavioral profiles to model and analyze pedestrian movements and route choice…
Coated woven fabrics are used in state-of-the-art structures yet broad assumptions are made in both material testing and analysis. Design is not codified and relies heavily on experience and precedent. Increasingly architects are moving away from conventional fabric forms, often utilising lower levels of curvature and new materials…
Union Station is the most important transportation hub serving the Greater Toronto Area. The revitalization of Union Station is intended to improve the delivery of local, regional and national rail passenger services. The revitalization process is being facilitated by the City of Toronto and other parties that have an interest in Union Station…
Evacuation and human behaviour in emergency situations is one of the most important aspects when designing “safe” buildings. A thorough understanding of the building, its means of escape, the amount and types of occupants, its alarm and detection systems, etc, is essential to improving the overall occupant’s safety…
In the 21st century, as free-form design gains popularity, free-form grid shells are becoming a universal structural solution, enabling merger of structure and facade into a single layer – a skin. This paper show some of the results of a research project concerned with the optimization of grid structures over some predefined free form shape…
The first possibilities for engineers to analyse membrane structures were based on physical modelling; now approximately 60 years later this task is nearly completely overtaken by computer simulations. Through the years the software has improved by using better form finding algorithms, resulting in highly advanced software…