Ian D. Parsons - US grants

The objectives of this project are: (1) to develop efficient algorithms for the solution of generalized eigenvalue problem by using the multigrid method; (2) to implement these algorithms on supercomputers and parallel processors; (3) use the algorithms to investigate the dynamic response of large scale space structures. The multigrid method (a fast, iterative linear matrix equation solver) will be used to solve the matrix equations that arise in solution algorithms. (The resulting algorithms will be implemented on a CRAY X-MP/48 supercomputer and various concurrent systems e.g., Alliant FX/8 and hypercube configurations. The integration of new solution techniques for the eigenvalue problem with state-of-the-art supercomputer technology will enable complex structures to analyzed accurately and allow the full potential of these machines to be realized.

The importance of high performance computing to contemporary issues in science and engineering has been well documented. It is the goal of this Presidential Young Investigator to develop efficient algorithms for large scale computing, in particular, multigrid methods capable of solving three dimensional, nonlinear structural mechanics problems. Some of these problems include stability of complex structures with both material and geometric nonlinearities. These computational tools will allow the engineers to better understand the influence by such phenomena as mode interaction and imperfection sensitivity on bucking of structures. Special effort will be made to implement these algorithms on both coarse-grain (CRAY, Alliant) and fine-grain (CM, HperCube) Systems.

9315240 Parsons This project investigates large-scale civil infrastructures using composite materials. The focus of the research is on development of innovative designs utilizing filament winding manufacturing techniques for cost-effective, seismic resistant pipe joints and bridge decks. The research will produce effective conceptual design and determine specifications for new material systems. The project will be conducted on the cooperative basis between US and Korea and included design and testing. The structures produced will be light weight, and corrosion resistant, thus reducing the inertia forces and aiding in the replacement of damaged components. ***

Innovative GRFP Joints for Pultruded Frames
Parsons/Hielmstad/White
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

The use of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) materials in structural applications is in its infancy These materials offer substantial benefits over traditional materials be-cause of their excellent durability characteristics and flexible manufacturability, How. ever, they remain uncompetitive with traditional materials for many application be-cause of the poor engineering performance of connections. The development of connections suited to the particular characteristics of this material is essential to the economic use of GRFP as a structural material. This research is aimed at such a devel-opment, and, consequently, could have a great impact on the evolution of this material in structural applications.

The objectives of this project are: ( 1) Design joints for use in moment resisting frames made from pultruded GFRP members. (2) Develop efficient manufacturing processes for these joints. (8) Test the joints under static loads in a frame and individually under cyclic, quasi-static loadings, (4) Produce simplified analytical models of the joints that can be used to design framed structures.

This award to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is for a six-month, scoping study to define detailed user requirements, hardware and software technologies, and needed support infrastructure for the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) system for the NEES collaboratory. The NEES collaboratory is part of the NEES Major Research Equipment project, which will be developed during 2000-2004 and operated from 2004-2014. The collaboratory will connect, through a high performance network, distributed major earthquake engineering research equipment such as shake tables, centrifuges, tsunami/wave tanks, large-scale laboratory experimentation systems, and field experimentation and monitoring installations. The collaboratory will also provide a curated repository for experimental data, enable teleobservation and teleoperation participation in earthquake engineering experiments, and provide capabilities for computation and distributed simulation. The scoping study will identify the needs of the earthquake engineering research community as well as the advanced networking, data management, and computation technology that will be available in 2004 and beyond for the NEES collaboratory. Based on this information, this project will develop a system architecture, a detailed system design, and an implementation plan for the NEES collaboratory. Project participants include the National Center for Supercomputing Applications and the Mid-America Earthquake Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Argonne National Laboratory, University of Michigan, and University of Southern California.