The analysis of 2D complex scale-sensitive bar structures in the framework of space-fractional non-local mechanical model

The paper presents a comprehensive procedure for the static analysis of complex truss-like structures that exhibit scale-dependent effects varied throughout their members, formulated within the framework of a space-fractional nonlocal mechanical model (sFCM). The microstructural properties of individual structural members are transferred to the macroscale structure through an intermediate model. The proposed procedure enables the computation of global displacements as well as the recovery of the complete nonlocal response for all members. Furthermore, owing to parallelization and the use of intermediate models, the procedure is computationally highly efficient. The proposed methodology was applied to a series of problems, which confirms its effectiveness and clearly demonstrates the coupling between the microstructure and the global structural response. The procedure was implemented in Python environment using the Kratos Multiphysics framework for parallel, multidisciplinary simulations as finite element solver.