Shaping up

Abstract

A software package from LUCAS has analysis facilities for linear, natural frequency, buckling, fatigue, nonlinear, seismic, dynamic, impact, geotechnical, thermal and blast analysis. It can be used for producing initial prototypes and for designing and checking different types of structural and civil engineering structures. The use of the LUCAS civil and structural analysis software to prove the stability and optimum curvature and profile of the Muela dam, part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project in Africa, is described. The use of the software to model the Koyna mass concrete dam in India, which was subjected to a an earthquake of magnitude 6.5, to investigate its response to changes in numerical concrete cracking models is outlined.