73707 - Mechanics of Solid and Structures

Learning outcomes

The goal of the course is to provide the students with the fundamental concepts of solid mechanics and the methodologies for structural analysis.

Course contents

THEORY OF STRUCTURES

Beam model and internal forces. Static and kinematic analysis. The Elastica equation. Principle of virtual works. Statically indeterminate structures: force method and displacement method. Elastic stability. Euler buckling load.

SOLID MECHANICS

Concept of stress and stress tensor. Equilibrium equations. Principal stresses and directions. Displacement, deformation and strain. Strain tensor and physical meaning. Compatibility equations. Principal strains and directions.

ELASTICITY

Behavior of materials. Testing of ductile and brittle materials. Linear elasticity. Isotropy. The linear elastic equilibrium problem. Superposition. Uniqueness of solution.

FAILURE CRITERIA

Tresca stress criterion. Von Mises stress criterion. Failure criteria for brittle materials.

ST VENANT'S PROBLEM

St Venant's hypothesis and postulate. Axial loading. Pure bending. Eccentric axial loading. Torsion. Shear. Thin-walled members.

Readings/Bibliography

C. Comi e L. Corradi Dell'Acqua, Introduzione alla Meccanica Strutturale, McGraw-Hill

M. Capurso, Lezioni di Scienza delle Costruzioni, Pitagora Editrice

Teaching methods

The course content will be entirely covered by the lectures. The course includes some help sessions, which will cover the practical aspects of the lectures.

Assessment methods

There will be a final examination structured in two phases: a first written exam and a subsequent oral exam. The written exam consists of two exercises analogous to those discussed during the lectures. In order to be admitted to the oral exam, students need to obtain a sufficient grade in the written test. The oral exam consists of some questions intended to assess the knowledge and understanding of the topics covered by the course.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to at least demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subject and some ability for critical application.

A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Teaching tools

Some notes will be available on the web.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano de Miranda