Coupled Rigid Block Analysis
The rigid-block equilibrium (RBE) method uses a penalty formulation to measure structural infeasibility or to guide the design of stable discrete-element assemblies from unstable geometry. However, RBE is a purely force-based formulation, and it incorrectly describes stability when complex interface geometries are involved. Coupled rigid-block analysis (CRA) method is a more robust approach that builds upon RBE’s strengths and overcomes the aforementioned issues. The CRA method combines equilibrium and kinematics in a penalty formulation in a nonlinear programming problem. CRA enables accurate modelling of complex three-dimensional discrete-element assemblies formed by rigid blocks. CRA’s accuracy is benchmarked against widely used software in engineering practice and demonstrated through physical models.
compas_cra
compas_cra provides a base implementation of CRA. Additionally, compas_cra can also be applied to masonry with curved interfaces.
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