ENCI423-19S1 (C) Semester One 2019

Advanced Structural Analysis and Dynamics

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 18 February 2019
End Date: Sunday, 23 June 2019
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 1 March 2019
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 10 May 2019

Description

Analysis of linear and nonlinear structures subject to static and dynamic loading including earthquake-induced ground motions. Effects of nonlinear geometry on structural ability and second order analysis.

The objective of this course is for students to develop the necessary theoretical understanding of complex structural response.  This course is an extension from ENCI335.  It has two parts: dynamics and analysis.  The dynamics part considers multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems, complex components and initial conditions, material and geometric nonlinearities, and application to earthquake engineering analyses.  The analysis part includes advanced analysis of frame structures with self-stressed members, rigid member constraints, thermal deformations, super-elements, and initial prestressing.  Effects of nonlinear geometry on structural response and stability are also discussed.

This course is essential for students who are interested in advanced methods of analysis for structural, and also geotechnical, engineering.  Many analysis-based final year projects in these fields of Civil Engineering will also require an understanding of the material taught in this course.  While this course contains a sizeable amount of theoretical detail, the emphasis is on students gaining a holistic view of the salient features of the analysis of complex structures.  In addition to the way in which the lectures are presented, such emphasis will be achieved via the use of numerous examples and application-based assignments using software.  Particular emphasis is given to earthquake engineering problems.

In the dynamics part, Module 1 introduces the subject of MDOF dynamic response and explains the eigenvalue analysis method for elastic MDOF systems, highlighting important aspects related to the formation of the mass and stiffness matrices, and explaining how modal response spectrum analyses use eigenvalue analysis results to estimate the non-linear dynamic behaviour of structures. Module 2 considers how the non-linear response of a structure subject to earthquake loading can be gauged with more rigour, introducing the non-linear static (pushover) analysis method and explaining different options for its application. As the analysis methods developed in modules 1 & 2 (and 4) often rely on the use of computer software, Module 3 explains how hand calculations can be used to check the results obtained from computer analyses. Module 4 then explains the accurate evaluation of the dynamic response of inelastic and nonlinear MDOF systems using direct numerical integration via so-called non-linear time-history analyses. Particular attention in this module is given to the different methods for modelling nonlinearity in individual materials and/or elements, and the consequences of nonlinearity on the dynamic response of structures.

In the analysis part, Modules 1-3 setup the framework of the three pillars of Matrix Structural Analysis (MSA): equilibrium, kinematics, and constitutive relationships.  Based on this framework, these three modules focus on the advanced topics including, but not limited to, force influence matrix, self-stress structures, rigid member constraints (inextensibility and inflexibility), instantaneous centre of rotation, compatibility of deformations, initial prestressing, and initial thermal deformation.  Module 4 focuses on the displacement method in solving structural response.  Module 5 extends the framework introduced in Modules 1-3 to include the effects of nonlinear geometry on structural response and stability.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the key modelling features for MDOF systems using structural dynamics software.
  • Understand the free-vibration characteristics of MDOF systems.
  • Be able to analyse the response of linear MDOF systems to dynamic excitation using modal analysis as well as the approximate modal response spectrum method.
  • Be able to analyse the response of nonlinear inelastic MDOF systems to dynamic excitation.
  • Be able to verify the adequacy of results obtained from computer-based structural analyses.
  • Gain an appreciation for the factors affecting the non-linear dynamic response of structures, including the potential impact of modelling and analysis choices.
  • Be able to solve for structural response considering rigid member constraints, element load, initial prestressing, and initial thermal deformation in the new framework of the three pillars (equilibrium, kinematics, and constitutive relationships) and a solution method of MSA.
  • Understand effects of nonlinear geometry on structural response and stability.

Prerequisites

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Chin-Long Lee

Lecturer

Tim Sullivan

Assessment

The assessment for this paper will comprise three components – assignments, a mid-semester test and the final exam.  All of the material covered in the first part (dynamics) will be assessed in the mid-semester test. The second part (analysis) will be tested in the final exam.  The test and final exam will focus on theoretical and practical (but not simulation-intensive) aspects of the course.  The assignments will be used to ensure you have an adequate grasp of the theoretical basis of the taught material.

1. You cannot pass this course unless you achieve a mark of at least 40% in the mid-semester test and final exam.  A student who narrowly fails to achieve 40% in either the test or the exam, but who performs very well in the other, may be eligible for a pass in the course.

2. All assignments must be submitted by the due date.  Late submissions will not be accepted.  If a student is unable to complete and submit an assignment by the deadline due to personal circumstances beyond their control they should discuss this with the lecturer involved as soon as possible (preferably prior to the due date) and refer to points 5 and 6 below.

3. All assignments can be done individually or in pairs.  If done in pairs (preferred) only a single submission for marking is required and both students receive the same mark.  It is important that both students play an equal role in completing the assessment as the internal assessment is designed to prepare for the formal assessments (i.e. test and exam).

4. Students in this course can apply for special consideration provided they have sat the mid-term test, the final exam or both.

5. Students may apply for special consideration if their performance in an assessment is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond their control. Applications for special consideration should be submitted via the Examinations Office website  within five days of the assessment. However, where an extension may be granted for an assessment, this will be decided by direct application to the Course co-ordinator and an application to the Examinations Office may not be required.  Special consideration is not available for items worth less than 10% of the course.

6. Students prevented by extenuating circumstances from completing the course after the final date for withdrawing, may apply for special consideration for late discontinuation of the course. Applications must be submitted to the Examinations Office within five days of the end of the main examination period for the semester.

Textbooks / Resources

Electronic copies of some course materials will be made available.  This will be done via Learn.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,080.00

International fee $5,250.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Civil and Natural Resources Engineering .

All ENCI423 Occurrences

  • ENCI423-19S1 (C) Semester One 2019