Structural Analysis

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The concept of superposition, and how it is used to combine stresses in a member under more than one load effect, e.g. beam with axial load.
• The collapse load of a structure.
• The verification and validation of structural computational models.
• The distributions of strain and stress in a beam due to bending and/or shear.
• The analysis of statically indeterminate truss structures using compatibility and material constitutive laws.
• The analysis of statically indeterminate beams and frames using force and displacement-based matrix methods.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understand limitations and assumptions associated with both computational modelling and analytical methods.
• Recognise common types of structural member and structural engineering problems
• Understand and appreciate the subject as an essential structural design tool.
• Identify appropriate analytical technique to determine collapse load of structures.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Apply analytical skills to practical problems.
• Self-management (e.g. time management).
• Problem analysis and problem solving.
• Read flexibly and with purpose.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Develop, verify and validate computational models of structures.

Part 1: Statics and strength of materials

Revision on shear force and bending moment diagrams, deflection of beams, normal stresses due to bending and elastic design of beams; Beams with axial load; Biaxial bending; Unsymmetrical beams; Shear stresses in thin-walled sections; Composite beams; Torsion; Three-pin arches; The parabolic three pin arch with uniformly distributed load.

Part 2: Solving statically indeterminate structures

Qualitative structural analysis; The principle of virtual work and applications; Compatibility of deformation; Matrix methods; Slope-deflection method; Moment distribution method; Force method; Influence Lines; Yield criterion; Upper and lower bound theorems of plasticity; Plastic analysis of statically indeterminate beams and frames.

Part 3: Computational modelling using SAP2000 software

Modelling structural geometry; Defining materials and structural members; Defining boundary conditions; Defining load cases and load combination; Assigning loads to joints; members and areas; Running analysis and visualising results.

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Computer workshops
• Guest lectures

Learning activities include

• Worked examples
• Tutorial questions
• Coursework
• Problem assignments
• Private study

PowerPoint slides, tutorial sheets and solutions, worked examples and pre-recorded videos available from module Blackboard

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.