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. 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, with emphasis on non-linearities in structural engineering. In particular, the course will give the students a deeper understanding of the non-linear behaviour of structural materials, 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.

Individual written exam, 3 hours

The exam result can be appealed.

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 metal structures

· has in-depth knowledge of the non-linear behaviour of structural materials

· 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, stresses, strains and displacements 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 a structure 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 structures.

The students shall acquire knowledge of database design and skills in the use of relational databases. Furthermore, they shall develop skills in the construction and maintenance of databases and insight into multi-user and multi-layer database architecture. They will gain knowledge of XML and insight into programming for databases.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

Type of assessment:

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

2) Project report prepared in groups of 1-3 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.

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• 12 individual assignments