MABY4400 Structural Analysis and Design Course description

The course gives the students the necessary fundamental understanding of the principles used in the design of large complex structures made of reinforced concrete and steel. An important goal of the course is to give the students knowledge and experience of how to use the finite element method (FEM) correctly in design calculations. Furthermore, the students will learn how to apply the analysis results to the technical rules for concrete and steel structures (Eurocodes EC1, 2, 3 and 8). In particular, the course will give the students a deeper understanding of the non-linear behaviour of reinforced concrete, where the students will gain both theoretical and practical insight.

Other important topics addressed are dynamic wind and earthquake loads, and the background for modern standards and how uncertainties in load and material calculations are taken into account in the design process.

MABY4100 Finite Element Method in Structural Analysis, or a course with an equivalent learning outcome.

Admission requirements.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student:

· has advanced knowledge about the simulation, analysis and design of concrete and steel structures

· has in-depth knowledge of the non-linear behaviour of reinforced concrete

· is capable of describing the difference between linear and non-linear structural analysis

· is capable of explaining the theoretical basis for linear and non-linear geometry and material behaviour

· is capable of explaining the theoretical basis for dynamic wind and earthquake loads

· understands the design philosophy behind modern codes in terms of structural capacity, structural demand and how to quantify uncertainties in load and material descriptions.

Skills:

The student is capable of:

· modelling and simulating structures exposed to static and dynamic loads

· selecting appropriate analysis models and carrying out structural analyses for determining internal forces and moments, stress, strain and displacement with a satisfactory degree of accuracy

· performing dynamic analyses of structures exposed to wind and earthquake loading

· choosing appropriate material models and material properties to solve the problem in question

· performing a non-linear element analysis of concrete structures and evaluating the results

· applying the essential code provisions for the design of concrete and steel structures.

General competence:

The student is capable of:

· using FEM software in practical structural analyses

· assessing approaches to and limitations in linear and non-linear analyses

· using scholarly reports and articles to gain an overview of the latest developments in research in the field of non-linear analysis of concrete structures.

The teaching consists of lectures, exercises (written assignments or computer-based assignments) and project work. The exercises are linked to the topics taught. The project assignment is to be carried out in groups of 2-3 students and concerns FEM analysis and design of a structure. The report forms part of the assessment for the grade awarded for the course. Detailed guidelines for the project assignment will be published in Canvas.

Four individual assignments, three of which must be approved before the student can take the exam. Students who fail to meet the coursework requirements can be given up to one re-submission opportunity before the exam.

Type of assessment:

1) Individual written exam (three hours), weighted 60 %

2) Project report prepared in groups of 2-3 students, approx. 20-30 pages, weighted 40 %

All assessment parts must be awarded a pass grade (E or better) in order for the student to pass the course. In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral examination may be used instead. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed.

Assessment parts:

1) All printed and written aids and a calculator that cannot be used to communicate with others.

2) All aids are permitted.

A grade scale with grades from A to E for pass (with A being the highest grade and E being the lowest pass grade) and F for fail is used in connection with the final assessment.

1) and 2): one internal examiner.

External examiners are used regularly