Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC)
Chennai
Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC), Chennai has built up state-of-the-art expertise in the area of computer-aided analysis and design of structures and structural elements and also in development of Advanced Computer Software for special applications. SERC, a internationally recogonised institution is locted at Chennai.  


SERC has been in the forefront of development of software for structural engineering applications and its propagation to various user groups in different Government departments, public and private sector organisations and academic institutions by leasing of software packages and undertaking specific software development projects. 


Advanced Computer-aided Structural Analysis

Scientists of SERC have developed improved methodologies and computational techniques for solving different problems of structural analysis including vibration, dynamic response, and nonlinear analysis of structures, by using the Finite Element Method and other numerical methods such as the Boundary-element method. Some of the computer programs developed by SERC (based on the R&D work carried out in related areas) listed in the following will give an idea about the expertise built up by Scientists of SERC in wide ranging topics of advanced structural analysis. 
  • OSTA - Offshore / Onshore Structural Analysis system ( consisting of program modules in Fortran for deterministic / stochastic dynamic analysis of skeletal as well as plate structures)
  • FINEART - FINite Element Analysis using Adaptive Refinement Techniques
  • 3-D frame and torsional analysis of ship hull structures
  • TGFNDN - Software for the static and dynamic analysis of framed type foundations supporting turbo generator machines
  • PGDYN - Software for the dynamic analysis of pile groups in layered soils
  • Seismic analysis of 3D framed buildings
  • TATWIN - Temporal analysis of towers subjected to wind effects
  • Stochastic analysis of RC chimney stacks under wind loading

Nonlinear and Dynamic Response Analysis

Structural response analysis of frames, plates and shells, in both linear and nonlinear ranges under time dependent loads such as impact, blast and seismic loads, can be investigated by using the computer programs developed by SERC. Soil-structure interaction can be included in evaluating the response. Computer programs have been developed to analyse reinforced concrete shell structures, in particular - hyperboloid natural draught cooling towers, taking into account inelastic behaviour of concrete inluding cracking. 

Error Estimation and Adaptive Refinement

The Centre has been actively carrying out R&D work in the area of adaptive finite element modelling for dynamic analysis of structres. The highlights of expertise built up include: 
  • Development of a posteriori error estimator for static and dynamic analysis of structures using FEM
  • Development of h-adaptive refinement procedures and suitable iterative solvers
  • Application of these procedures to solve specific problems of dynamic analysis of ship hull structures and offshore deck platform structures

Parallel Processing

The Centre has been developing algorithms using parallel processing concepts that would enable solving of large and complex problems of structural analysis by making use of a cluster of Workstations instead of very expensive and highly powerful Supercomputers. Computer software for some of the complex problems of structural analysis and design have been developed. 

 Some of the software pakages developed in this area are: 

  • X-DOM - An Interactive Preprocessor for Parallel Finite Element Computations
  • PASTA - PArallel STatic Analysis
  • PARADYN - PARAllel linear DYNamic analysis
  • CODYN - COncurrent nonlinear transient DYNamic analysis
  • PAROPT - PARallel design OPTimisation

THE DESIGN

Computer-aided Design of Structures
Application of AI Techniques in Structural Engineering
Software Develpment and dissemination


Computer-aided Design of Structures

High level expertise has been developed in the area of Computer-aided Design and Drafting of different types of structures and structural components. Graphic pre- and postprocessing as well as integrated approaches have been adopted to develop software, including the use of AutoCAD. 

Special Purpose Software for Design and Optimisation of Structures

SERC has developed special purpose software packages to suit the requirements of the industry for solving some of the complex problems of structural analysis and design including optimisation. This effort includes computer-aided design of ship-hull structures, steel grillages, transmission line and microwave towers, and bridge girders, besides development of special purpose software for design using knowledge-based optimisation and object-oriented programming. Some of the packages developed are: 
  • CODES-I - Interactive COmputer aided analysis and DEsign of Ships and ship structures 
  • SACS - Shaft Alignment Computer Software 
  • AANAND - Automatic ANalysis ANd Design of bridge girders 
  • GRANDEX - GRillage ANalysis and Design EXpert 
  • TAPS - Finite element software package for nonlinear static, dynamic and buckling analysis of guyed towers (masts) 
  • TANDS - Tower ANalysis and Design System 
  • TRALTAND - TRAnsmission Line Tower ANalysis and Design 
  • KNODSS - KNOwledge Driven software for finite element modelling in Stuctural Synthesis 
  • KNOPT - KNowledge based OPTimum design program 
  • PARAGAN - PARAbolic Grid ANtenna structure analysis and design package 
  


Application of AI Techniques in Structural Engineering

SERC has developed computer software for knowledge-based design of steel transmission line towers. A knowledge-based optimisation procedure has been used to generate preliminary design and subsequent improved designs of towers considering them as free standing or as a line consisting of three or four towers. 

Similarly, a knowledge-based software package has been developed for preliminary design of natural draught hyperboloid cooling towers. Grillages in steel have also been addressed in a software package GRANDEX where knowledge bases on design of plates, stiffeners and girders, are used to optain minimum weight design. 

Artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic, and probabilistic analysis have been applied for damage assessment and vulnerability analysis of industrial structures subjected to extreme winds in cyclone-prone areas. Object-oriented programming and artificial neural networks are being applied for design of structural components such as, columns, beams and plate panels. Application of genetic algorithms for optimisation is also an area of current interest. 


Software Development and Dissemination

The general purpose software packages developed by SERC over the years are being disseminated to users through courses, workshops and training programmes. SERC is a pioneer in India in licensing specific structural engineering analysis and design software packages to various agencies. The following are the software packages on lease to users:
  • INFRAN - INteractive FRame ANalysis
  • INTRAN - INteractive TRuss ANalysis
  • INGRID - INteractive GRID analysis 
  • INSPACE - INteractive SPACE frame analysis
  • INCYSHELL - INteractive CYlindrical SHELL analysis
  • INFOLD - INteractive FOLDed plate analysis
  • RC Slabs (G) - Reinforced Concrete SLABS design (Graphics)
  • RC Slabs - Reinforced Concrete SLABS design
  • RC FLAT SLABS (G) - Reinforced Concrete FLAT SLABS design (Graphics)
  • RC FLAT SLABS - Reinforced Concrete FLAT SLABS design
  • RC BEAMS (G) - Reinforced Concrete BEAMS design (Graphics)
  • RC BEAMS - Reinforced Concrete BEAMS design
  • RC COLUMNS (G) - Reinforced Concrete COLUMNS design (Graphics)
  • RC FOOTINGS (G) - Reinforced Concrete FOOTINGS design (Graphics)
  • RC FOOTINGS - Reinforced Concrete FOOTINGS design 
  • RC COMBINED FOOTINGS (G) - Reinforced Concrete COMBINED FOOTINGS design (Graphics)
  • RC COMBINED FOOTINGS - Reinforced Concrete COMBINED FOOTINGS design
  • RC STRIP FOOTINGS - Reinforced Concrete STRIP/continuous FOOTINGS design
  • WINFRAN - WINdows based FRame ANalysis system
  • RC INTZE TANK - Design of Reinforced Concrete INTZE water TANK
  • INDROOS - Analysis of INDustrial ROOf Systems
So far more than 500 load modules of these packages have been leased to about 120 different agencies all over India.

 


Consultancy Services and Sponsored R&D

SERC has been closely interacting with the industry and providing advisory and consultancy services to many organisations in Government, Public and Private Sectors in solving complex problems relating to structural analysis and design of different types of structures including transmission line and microwave towers, steel industrial structures such as natural draught cooling towers, machine foundations and chimneys. Complex analysis problems relating to behaviour of structures employed in Nuclear power plants, Space and Defence applications have also been solved. SERC has also taken up sponsored R&D work in the areas of finite element analysis, parallel processing and software development. Beneficiaries of SERC's expertise include: 
  • Aeronautical Research and Development Board (ARDB), Delhi
  • Devence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad
  • Department of Science and Technology (DST), Delhi
  • Department of Telecommunication
  • Electrical Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (EMC), Calcutta
  • Engineers India Ltd. (EIL), Delhi
  • Gas Authority of India Limited
  • Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. (HSL), Visakhapatnam
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Sriharikota
  • Mazagon Dock Ltd. (MDL), Mumbai
  • National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
  • Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam
  • Nuclear Power Corporation
  • R&D Engineers (RDE), Pune
  • Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), IndianRailways, Lucknow
  • Triveni Structurals Ltd. (TSL)

International Collaboration

SERC has taken up bilateral R&D collaborative programme on Efficient and Reliable Finite Element Analysis of Structures and Components with Institut für Sicherheitsforschung und Reaktortechnik (ISR), Jülich, Germany under the CSIR-ISR (KFA) special arrangement on coopreration in the field of scientific research and technological development. This programme was started in April 1996 and the main components of R&D work are: 
  • Selection and necessary extension of adaptive refinement

    • procedures dependent on gradients
  • Implementation of adaptive refinement procedures in sequential FE codes
  • Development of dynamic load balancing algorithms for parallel FE analysis
  • Implementation of adaptive refinement and load balancing algorithms in parallel FE codes including efficient iterative solvers
  • Development of graphic user interface (GUI) on Unix based workstations for interactive FE analysis, making use of X Window system and Motif toolkit

Training Programmes and Interaction with Academia

Scientists of SERC have been providing guidance to post-graduate students (M.Tech., MCA) of different Universties for their project / thesis work, in topics of contemporary significance in the area of computer-aided analysis and design of structures, including development of interactive, user-friendly graphic pre- and postprocessor modules. In order to disseminate the results of R&D and knowledge / expertise in the area of computer-aided structural analysis and design, SERC has been conducting periodically training courses and workshops for the benefit of practising engineers. 
Some of the courses and workshops conducted recently are listed below: 
  • Training Programme on Computer-aided Analysis and Design for Engineers from DPR, Korea (Mar. - June, 1993)
  • Advanced Course on Computational Modelling for Finite Element Analysis of Structures (COMFEA) (Jan. - Feb., 1995)
  • Computer Aided Design and Expert System in Structural Engineering (CADESSE) (Jan. 1996)
  • Workshop on Efficient and Reliable Finite Element Analysis of Structures and Components (ERFEA '98) (Jan., 1998)
  • Seminar on Developments in Finite Element analysis and its applications (DEFINE '99) (Jan. 1999)
The proceedings of the above courses / seminars have also been published. 

R&D Initiatives

  • Finite Element Modelling for Static and Dynamic Analysis Using h-Adaptive Refinement Techniques
  • Parallel Processing Approaches for Finite Element Analysis of Large Structures
  • Application of AI Techniques for Optimal Design of Transmission Line Systems
  • Development of Software for Computer Aided Design and Drafting of Prestressed Concrete Grid Systems
  • Seismic Risk Analysis of Structures
  • Stochasitc Finite Element Analysis
  • Modelling and Assessment of Strength of Existing Buildings Under Seismic Excitation

R&D Initiatives

  • Finite Element Modelling for Static and Dynamic Analysis Using h-Adaptive Refinement Techniques
  • Parallel Processing Approaches for Finite Element Analysis of Large Structures
  • Application of AI Techniques for Optimal Design of Transmission Line Systems
  • Development of Software for Computer Aided Design and Drafting of Prestressed Concrete Grid Systems
  • Seismic Risk Analysis of Structures
  • Stochastic Finite Element Analysis
  • Modelling and Assessment of Strength of Existing Buildings under Seismic Excitation

Facilities Available

The hardware environment at SERC consists of a variety of powerful Workstations (including SUN, HP, Silicon Graphics Workstations) and Pentium based PCs. A powerful campus-wide network has been set up with a fibre-optic backbone which connects over 100 nodes. The network is designed to handle normal speed of 10 Mbps connecting a number of Pentium-based PCs and desktops, and higher traffic speeds of 100 Mbps connecting the RISC-based Workstations, across the campus. The campus-wide network is linked to SCPC-DAMA based V-SAT offering Internet facility at 64 Kbps and voice facility. 



For Details Contact:


Director,
Structural Engineering Research Centre(SERC),
CSIR Campus, Taramani
Chennai - 600 113, India 
Phone:+91-44-2352139/2352175
Fax:+91-44-2350508
E-mail:
director@cssercm.ren.nic.in
sercm@sirnetm.ernet.in
infA@cssercm.ren.nic.in