As part of the research colloquium for students, doctoral and habiliation candidates, we cordially invite you on Tuesday, 18.11.2025 at 16:30 in room 3516 (Mönchebergstr. 7). Mrs. Tara Stein, B.Sc., will present the results of her research assistant work at the Institute of Structural Analysis in her lecture entitled "Follower loads and their implementation in the context of FEM". We look forward to seeing you there!

Summary of the lecture

The effect of gas or hydrostatic pressure on a body is modeled using deformation-dependent loads. The direction and, in some cases, the magnitude of such follower loads depend on the deformation of the body. This results in a contribution to the residual vector as well as a contribution to the system stiffness matrix when considered in the FEM.

Based on the differentiation between body and space loads as well as conservative and non-conservative loads, the lecture first explains the influence of the subsequent loads on the system level. This is followed by the derivation of the equations required for the implementation at element level, with a particular focus on the body-fixed individual, line and surface follower loads, which were added to the dockSIM research code as part of the research assistant's work. Challenges and observations that arose during the testing of the load elements are also discussed.