B8909 - STRUCTURAL MECHANICS M

Learning outcomes

This course aims to provide students with a common foundational understanding of structural analysis. It consists of two main components: a brief review of the mechanics of materials and the physical behavior of structural elements, as well as standard methods of structural analysis, including elastic and plastic analysis. Students will gain knowledge in the structural modeling of truss and beam elements, structural matrix analysis for 1D and 2D systems, and the fundamentals of FEM concepts and their application to structural problems. The course also covers plastic analysis, including plasticity theorems, incremental plastic analysis, and elasto-plastic analysis using FEM tools. Key skills developed in this course include: (i) proficiency in modeling and analyzing truss, beam, and frame structures using structural matrix analysis for 1D and 2D systems; (ii) a critical understanding of FEM fundamentals to solve structural and elasto-plastic problems; (iii) the ability to perform incremental plastic analysis, understand plastic flow, and apply plasticity theorems in structural systems. This course supports the objectives of the master’s program in structural analysis and the assessment of buildings.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge

The course is a continuation and intensification of Mechanics of Solids and Structures. Thus a prior knowledge and understanding of the static behaviour of planar truss and beam structures is recommended. The course includes theoretical lectures (module 1), exercises and laboratory sessions (module 2). The latter will cover some practical aspects of the lectures. The instructors will supervise students during the exercises and laboratory activities.

Course Contents

1. Review of structural models

1. Truss element: mathematical model

2. Beam element: mathematical model

3. Truss and frame structures

2. Structural matrix analysis

1. Structural matrix analysis for truss structures in 1D and 2D
   

2. Structural matrix analysis for frame structures in 1D and 2D

3. Basic concepts of the Finite Element Method (FEM)

4. Use of a FEM based software for the solution of truss and beam problems

3. Plastic analysis

1. Fundamentals theorems of plasticity

2. Plastic flow and plastic hinge, and interaction diagrams

3. Incremental plastic analysis of truss and beam systems

4. Use of a FEM based software for the solution of elasto-plastic problems of truss and beam systems

Readings/Bibliography

Learning Resource

• Instructors’ notes.
• Problem sets with solutions.
• Exams with solutions.

Class/lab notes, solved exercises, solved exams, manual of the software, are available to download in Virtuale: https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Suggested readings

• Matrix Structural Analysis, W. McGuire, R.H. Gallagher, R.D. Ziemian, John Wiley & Sons, 2000.

• Advanced Structural Mechanics. A. Carpinteri, Taylor & Francis, 1997.

Teaching methods

The course content will be entirely covered by lectures. The course includes laboratory sessions, which will cover some practical aspects of the lectures. The instructors will supervise students during the laboratory activities.

In consideration of the type of activity and the teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires the prior participation of all students in the training modules 1 and 2 on safety [http://https//elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/user/policy.php?lang=en] in the study places, in e-learning mode.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the "expected learning outcomes" is composed of:

• written test: 3 exercises, 3 hour (30 points)
• oral test: 3 questions on the topics of the course including the discussion of the homework*, 1 hour (30 points)

Written and oral tests are closed-book and closed-note. For the written test, calculators and one page of cheat sheets are permitted.

The final grade is the average of the written and oral tests.

*Homework (to be discussed at the oral exam)

• Homework 1: small project focused on structural matrix analysis (topic 2)
  
• Homework 2: small project focused on structural plastic analysis (topic 3)

To obtain a passing grade (minimum is 18 points) students are required to demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subject, some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language.

Higher grades (maximum is 30 points, cum laude) will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a high ability for critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of the contents.

In case of failure students can take any next final term, generally there are 6 final terms per academic year.

Teaching tools

The teaching tools are overhead projector, projector and tablet. The course includes some laboratory sessions in which a finite element based software for structural analysis is used.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Marzani

See the website of Antonio Palermo

See the website of Stefano Mariani