James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

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. Matrix displacement method - Outline of force and displacement methods; spring element, element and total structure stiffness matrices, assembly by direct stiffness method, properties of stiffness matrix, force-displacement relationship, boundary conditions, solution for displacements, external reactions and internal forces; truss element, plane truss, space truss, beam element, fixed end forces and equivalent nodal loads, plane frames and grids, space frames, computer implementation of the stiffness method.

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 - (15%) - Individual
• 3 x Problem Task Assignments (12%) Tutorial Participation (8%) - (20%) - 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