Structural Analysis module (CE31005)

The module builds upon the structural analysis methods that students have learnt in earlier years, introducing more advanced methods. It also prepares the grounds for topics that you will study in later years. You will learn both about methods that can be used as “hand calculations”, and ones which form the basis of computational methods. They module also extends your structural understanding, particularly in the areas of reinforced concrete and the dynamic behaviour of structures.

The topics covered are:

• Moment-area method – This enables you to analyse the behaviour of indeterminate beams, and to calculate deflections and rotations.
• Unit load method – You will be introduced to virtual work and the unit load method. Virtual work is the basis of the finite element method, and is used in later years in the analysis of concrete slabs and plastic analysis of frames.
• Stiffness method – you see how this works for trusses and beams. This method is at the heart of structural analysis software.
• Approximate analysis – while we use computational software to analyse structures, it is important to be able to get a rough idea of how structures are behaving. You will look at approximate methods for beams, framed structures, and in dynamics.
• Composite wood-steel structures – timber structures are sometimes strengthened by the addition of steel,  you learn how to analyse timber-steel beams.
• Reinforced concrete – Concrete is strong in compression, but much weaker in tension. Therefore, steel reinforcement is added to give concrete beams tensile resistance. You learn how to calculate the amount of reinforcement needed.
• Dynamics – this gives an introduction to the dynamic behaviour of structures.
• Bending and shear – this unit looks at non-symmetric bending of beams, and how to calculate the shear centre of a non-symmetric beam.