Discrete Structural Systems Modeling: Benchmarking of LS-DEM and LMGC90 with Seismic Experiments

Abstract

Various papers have presented different methods for computations of mechanics and kinematics of discrete structural systems. However, little has been done in comparing and benchmarking the seismic response from two different discrete-system-models with experiments. This paper presents a detailed seismic performance comparison between two models—level set discrete element method (LS-DEM) and Logiciel de Mécanique Gérant le Contact (LMGC90), calibrated with shake table experiments conducted on four concrete-block configurations. Theories of both models are thoroughly explained and compared. The simulation results are benchmarked against experimental data. Finally, the principal results and significance of this benchmarking effort is discussed.