Structural Behaviour - 2020 entry

This module builds on the mechanics component of Fundamentals of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics in first year and Solid Mechanics in second year. You will further your understanding of structural analysis and its importance to engineering design. You will develop cornerstone skills, essential for civil, structural and mechanical engineers. You will enhance your mathematical analysis skills and develop ability to perform linear elastic analysis of beams and 2D frame structures both quantitatively and qualitatively. You will explore techniques underpinning structural analysis including strain energy, virtual work, and flexibility methods. You will also investigate instability and plastic collapse mechanisms of simple structures. You will further develop your experimental skills and awareness of health and safety practice within engineering.

This module addresses topics that are essential to the design and understanding of the behaviour of engineering structures under static loading. The module will provide a mathematical basis for quantitative analysis (including calculating internal forces, reactions, deflections, rotations, buckling capacity and plastic collapse) as well as qualitative analysis of beams and frames. It will lay the foundations for more advanced structure design modules.

1: Static (in)determinacy:

Linear elastic analysis of statically (in)determinate beams and 2D frames

2: Qualitative structural analysis of beams and 2D frames:

Linear elastic analysis of statically (in)determinate beams and 2D frames

3: The flexibility method for solving bending moment diagrams:

Linear elastic analysis of statically (in)determinate beams and 2D frames

4: Calculating deflections of prismatic and non-prismatic beams: use of direct integration method (including Macaulay’s notation) and moment-area method:

Linear elastic analysis of statically (in)determinate beams and 2D frames

5: Strain energy methods and Castigliano’s theorem:

Linear elastic analysis of statically (in)determinate beams and 2D frames

6: Virtual work:

Linear elastic analysis of statically (in)determinate beams and 2D frames

7: Yielding:

Plasticity analysis

8: Elasto-plastic analysis (yield moment, plastic moment, plastic modulus):

Plasticity analysis

9: Plastic hinges and plastic collapse of beams:

Plasticity analysis

10: The uniqueness, the lower bound and the upper bund theorems:

Plasticity analysis

11: Plastic collapse of 2D frame structures:

Plasticity analysis

12: Stable and unstable equilibria:

Instability and buckling analysis

13: Euler’s buckling of a pin-ended strut:

Instability and buckling analysis

14: Buckling of struts with other end conditions:

Instability and buckling analysis

15: Effective length concept:

Instability and buckling analysis

16: Effect of initial imperfections:

Instability and buckling analysis

17: Introduction to other forms of buckling such as lateral-torsional buckling of beams:

Instability and buckling analysis

As the module is assessed by the examination and coursework, the ref/def assessment will be by examination. The candidates will be awarded the ref/def examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

Reading list for this module: