James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

CS3000 - Structural Analysis

Subject Description

Determinate structures - Review of beam theory and deflections of beams and frames by integration and moment area methods; Beam deflections by conjugate beam method; Deflections of beams, trusses and frames by energy methods; Virtual work principle, virtual force method, virtual displacement method, thermals effects, Maxwell's and Betti's Laws, Castigliano's theorems; Influence lines, Muller-Breslau's principle. Indeterminate structures - Degree of indeterminancy, external and internal indeterminancies, compatibility conditions, superposition and consistent deformation method, virtual work method, Castigliano's method, applications to beams, frames and trusses; Slope deflection method; Moment distribution method. Plastic design of steel frames; stress-strain curve for steel, moment curvature relationship, plastic modulus of section. Buckling of elastic structures, Euler loads, buckling modes, long and short columns, secant formula; tangent modulus and secant modulus methods.

Learning Outcomes

• undertaking structural engineering problem identification, formulation and solution
• in-depth technical competence in calculating deflections in beams, frames and trusses using appropriate methods
• ability to solve a variety of indeterminate beam, frame and truss problems

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (55%) - Individual
• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Assignment - (15%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Practical assessment/practical skills demonstration - (10%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Availabilities