72758 - Advanced Structural Mechanics

Learning outcomes

The course is an extension and intensification of Mechanics of Solids and Structures. The goal of the course is to advance the understanding of structural behavior and enhance the ability to apply classical structural analysis methods to civil engineering systems.The advanced methods for the analysis of structures will be applied to some structural examples which will be developed by the students.

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. All lectures, tutorials and office hours are in English.

Course Contents

1. Structural matrix analysis

1. Truss element: mathematical and discrete models

2. Structural matrix analysis for truss structures in 2D

3. Basic concepts of the Finite Element Method

4. Beam element: mathematical and discrete models

5. Structural matrix analysis for frame structures in 2D

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

2. Buckling analysis

1. Equilibrium and energy method for buckling and post-buckling analysis of single and multi-degree-of-freedom rigid systems

2. Equilibrium approach for buckling of continuous systems (beams, trusses and frames)

3. Buckling analysis via stiffness matrix method: the geometric stiffness matrix

4. Use of a FEM based software for the solution of buckling problems in discrete and continuous problems

3. Plastic analysis

1. Fundamentals theorems of plasticity

2. Plastic moment, plastic hinge, and interaction diagrams

3. Incremental plastic analysis of truss and beam systems

4. Limit analysis Plastic analysis of beams

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

Readings/Bibliography

• Instructors’ notes (available on the web site http://campus.cib.unibo.it [http://campus.cib.unibo.it/] ).
• Matrix Structural Analysis, W. McGuire, R.H. Gallagher, R.D. Ziemian, John Wiley & Sons, 2000.
• Fundamentals of Structural Stability, G.J. Simitses, D.H. Hodges, Elsevier, 2006.
• 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.

Assessment methods

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

• Homework 1: small project focused on Structural matrix analysis, to be done in group of 4/5 people (4 points).
• Midterm: written test with 2 exercises, 2 hour of time, open book (10 points).
• Homework 2: small project focused on Structural buckling analysis, to be done in group of 4/5 people (4 points).
• Final: written test with 2 exercises, 3 hour of time, open book (12 points) & oral*: max 3 questions on the main topics of the course (+/- 4 points).

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.

* the oral session, consists also in a review of the written output, in which the instructor informs the student on the grading criteria supported by appropriate explanations, receives any student comments and eventually upgrade the score of the written test.

** in case of failure students can take any next final term, generally there are 6 final terms per academic year. In this case the assessment is based on:

• Final: written test with 4 exercises, 3 hour of time, open book (23 points).
• Oral*: max 3 questions on the main topics of the course (11 points).

Teaching tools

The teaching tools are overhead projector, projector and PC. 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