BE4E | Building Slabs/Rafts
 

Product Description

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The PLPAK is special purpose software package for structural analysis of building slabs and foundations. The PLAPK uses the boundary element method as numerical method. It also uses the shear-deformable plate bending theory according to Reissner. The structural modeling is carried out according to the philosophy presented by Prof Youssef F. Rashed, the technical director of BE4E.com (yrashed@be4e.com) in:

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The PLPAK solves single floor at a time; each floor consists of single slab with several openings. The boundary element theory, on which the PLPAK is based, is published in several international journal publications as listed on this website. Results of the PLPAK are also validated through several examples published in several journal publications. The PLPAK philosophy is based on:

The PLPAK tool can be used as a check program for results that are attained from finite element method programs. It is recommended in many countries to verify the results of finite element programs through "checking programs", thus the PLPAK is the best solution as it is based on boundary element method.

Product Components

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The PLPAK development is kept to ensure the easy learning (matter of few hours) to any new engineer or numerical modeler. Learning the PLPAK does not require previous knowledge of boundary elements of even finite elements. The main components of the PLPAK are:

Product Video Demonstration

The following video will show how easy it is to import a CAD file and convert it into a complete numerical model in minutes.

This video shows how rapid results are achieved (in 4 minutes in this complicated practical project).

 

Special Features

The figures below demonstrate some of the special features only possible through our software.

 

 

 

 

General Features

Other regular features are:

 

 

Boundary Element Mehod

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The boundary element method (more accurately known as the boundary integral equation method) is a numerical method to solve challenges in computational mechanics. It actually could be regarded as semi-analytical semi-numerical method rather than being fully numerical method. This guarantees the high precision result. Our main interest is the application of the boundary elements in structural engineering and in particular to plate bending problems. In doing so, Rashed [1,2] had presented two imperative papers in modeling building slabs and foundation plates using the boundary element method. The PLPAK is mainly based on these two publications. In the boundary element method, the analyzed slab boundary (floor slab or foundation plate) is the only discretized element; i.e., no internal meshing is required. This ensures that the slab is treated as an actual single slab. Moreover, easy placement of internal elements is available: such as columns, piles, openings, drops, beam, etc. Re-analysis due to architecture changes is very simple (no need for re-meshing). The PLPAK also considers internal supports with their actual geometric shapes. This guarantees no peaking of bending moments over supports and accurate deflection calculations (especially; if we kept in mind the analyzed slab remains a single structure without discretization). Another vital feature in the PLPAK (or in fact the boundary element method) is all results generated in the post-processing stage are generated in the real-time; i.e. with no interpolation (for including results along strips, or contour maps). This enables achieving results along even the most diminutive of possible areas (1 cm X 1 cm or even less!).