CS4006:03
Advanced Structural Analysis
| Townsville | HECS Band 2 |
39 hours lectures, 39 hours tutorials and practicals. Semester 2.
Finite element methods – Introduction to continuum mechanics; differential equations of equilibrium, compatibility, Hooke’s law, boundary conditions. Finite element notation, shape functions, elasticity matrix, plane stress and plane strain problems, stiffness for triangular and rectangular elements; isoparametric formulation, numerical integration.
Plastic Design of Steel Frames – Stress-strain curve for steel, moment-curvature relationship, plastic modulus of section. Mechanisms for failure of beams and frames, yield and equilibrium conditions. Load factor. Upper and lower bound theorems. Combined bending and axial loads.
Buckling of elastic structures – Introduction, Euler load, buckling modes, long and short columns, effective length, slenderness ratio; theoretical and practical columns, secant formula; tangent modulus and secant modulus methods. Practical techniques for solving buckling problems. Australian Code of Practice provisions for design of columns. Buckling of plates.
Vibrations in structures – Free vibrations; lumped mass systems; one and more degrees of freedom. Forced vibrations; earthquakes.
Learning Objectives:
- skill in the preparation and interpretation of meshes for finite element analyses;
- a knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the finite element method;
- an introduction to the methods for plastic analysis and design of steel frames;
- an appreciation of the behaviour of compression members and an insight into Code provision for design of these members;
- some understanding of the design of structures to resist earthquake loads;
- develop the ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution in buckling and vibration problems.
Assessment by examination (50%-70%); on-course assessment (30%-50%).