72772 - Computational Structural Mechanics M

Learning outcomes

With the acquisition of the training credits, the student acquires the necessary knowledge for structural analysis methods oriented towards automated processing, with attention to conceptual, formal, and operational aspects. The specific aim of the course is to enable students to model and simulate common structural problems, either independently or through the use of existing structural analysis software, and to critically interpret the results.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge

Fluent spoken Italian is a necessary pre-requisite: all lectures and tutorials, and all study material will be in Italian.

Course Contents

The direct stiffness method. Linear elastic rods and beams (Eulero-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam theories). Truss and frame structures. Specific topics: restraints, constraints, offsets, semi-rigid connections and joint flexibility.

The finite element method (assumed displacement finite elements).

Eulero-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam elements. Finite elements for two- and three-dimensional elasticity. Kirchhoff and Mindlin plate elements. Finite element modelling and performance. Convergence requirements. Patch test.

Nonlinear analysis of frame structures. Solution methods. Incremental methods and general control. Geometric stiffness and stability analysis of frame structures. Material nonlinearity. Elasto-plasticity. Limit analyses.

Linear and nonlinear dynamic analysis. Modal and transient analyses. Time stepping methods.

Readings/Bibliography

- Lecture slides and notes (virtuale.unibo.it)

- Leone Corradi Dell'Acqua, Meccanica delle Strutture, Volume 2: Le teorie strutturali e il metodo degli elementi finiti, McGraw-Hill.

- O.C. Zienkiewicz, R.L. Taylor, The finite element method, Butterworth-Heinemann.

- Robert D. Cook, Finite element modeling for stress analysis, John Wiley & Sons.

During the lectures, some reading assignments will be made from selected papers in the published literature.

Teaching methods

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

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 on Health and Safety online.

Assessment methods

A final oral examination is planned, based on questions intended to assess the knowledge and understanding of the topics covered by the course. The student should present and discuss the solutions of some homework assignments and a final project.

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.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the University Office responsible well in advance, at the following address: (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will propose any necessary accommodations, which must in any case be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their appropriateness in light of the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

The teaching tools are projector and PC.

The course includes some laboratory sessions at the labs of the School of Engineering.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano de Miranda

See the website of Giovanni Castellazzi