High performance computing equipment for advanced structural engineering testing and analysis

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The object of this proposal is a High Performance Computing equipment for advanced structural engineering applications. The configuration proposed corresponds to a state-of-the-art engineering server optimized forcomputationally intensive multi-tasking numerical simulations and manipulating complex geometrical configurations. The equipment sought is urgently needed to pursue and extend further leading edge experimental work and numerical studies on the structural response and design of building, bridge and dam infrastructures in Canada for extreme loading conditions such as earthquakes or severe thermal changes.The server will be integrated into the existing real time hybrid testing facility at Ecole Polytechnique to carry out complex hybrid test programs involving advanced numerical analysis of highly nonlinear structures coupled with real time testing of physical substructures in the laboratory. This will allow to fully exploit the outstanding capacities of the new Structural Engineering Testing Laboratory at Ecole Polytechnique, a world class facility in advanced experimental research on large scale civil engineering structural components. The server sought will also be used to run complex Finite Element analysis of building, bridge and dam structures. Typical applications to be performed include linear and nonlinear static and dynamic analyses, eigenvalue and large displacements analysis, and studies of crack propagation and fatigue cumulation under cyclic or seismic loading. Original complex nonlinear constitutive models will be developed as part of newly programmed Finite Element software or user-defined subroutines to be implemented into existing applications. New models are validated against test results and are then used to expand the scope of experimental programs to characterize more efficiently complex phenomena in civil engineering structures. The equipment will also host top commercial Finite Element software to handle forefront research and industrial applications. It will thus allow effective interaction with the industry and top international research organisations.