Walkability of a Plastic Container

Description
In this project, a plastic container is placed in the ground. The container is filled with water on the inside. The covering of the container consists of glass foam gravel and grass turf.

Task
Our task is to computationally verify the load case of persons walking on it.

Investigation Objective
The aim of the investigation is to provide proof of strength and to identify critical zones.

Procedure
Step 1: Geometry Preparation and Model Creation
An FE model is created based on the provided 3D-CAD geometry. The bearing is done via a bedding module or a gravel cutout at the bottom and the sides. Possible internal reinforcements are taken into account. The glass foam gravel and the grass turf are only considered as load. The persons are represented by loads on the container, assuming a load distribution angle of 30°.

Step 2: Recalculation
Calculations are carried out statically nonlinear with a multilinear plastic material law, frictional contacts, and geometric nonlinearity.

Three load cases are recalculated:
LFK1: Self-weight, superimposed load of gravel and grass turf, surface load (increased until proof of capability is provided, at least 1 kN/m2)
LFK2: Self-weight, superimposed load of gravel and grass turf, single load (increased until proof of capability is provided, at least 2 kN in two different positions)
The most unfavorable imperfections for each load case are determined using a buckling analysis. At the same time, the hydrostatic pressure of the water inside acts.