| Abstract: | New discrete models and their application to seismic response analysis of structures is proposed in this paper. These models consist of finite number of small rigid bodies connected with springs distributed over the contact area of two neighbouring bodies. In general size of stiffness matrices of these elements are at most (6 × 6) which are equal to or even smaller than of those of conventional finite elements so that considerable reduction of computing time can be expected. Effectiveness of these elements in nonlinear structural analysis, especially dynamic response analysis of structures will be demonstrated by several numerical examples. |
