48349 Structural Analysis
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Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 48331 Mechanics of Solids AND 33230 Mathematical Modelling 2
Anti-requisite(s): 48342 Structural Behaviour and Design
Description
This subject covers classical theory of structures and its application in the analysis of load-bearing structures such as residential buildings, bridges or industrial enclosures. Students learn to analyse the response of linear elastic structures under the actions of mechanical loads as well as actions resulting from environmental effects such as temperature changes and foundation settlements. Topics covered include computing deformations in plane frames using the principle of virtual work, identifying stable and unstable structural systems, the analysis of statically indeterminate structures using both the force method and the moment distribution method. In all topics students communicate analysis procedures and results by using free-body diagrams and internal action diagrams as expected in structural engineering practice. Furthermore, students learn how to qualitatively predict structural behavior by deriving the deformed shape, support reactions and diagrams showing the distribution of internal forces. The concepts developed in this subject are an essential foundation for subsequent structural design subjects, such as 48353 Concrete Design and 48366 Steel and Timber Design.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Analyse statically determinate load bearing structural frames and trusses by computing support reactions and the internal forces (and moments). |
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| 2. | Draw internal action diagrams showing the distribution of axial forces, shear forces and bending moments in the structure. |
| 3. | Determine elastic deformations in structures subjected to a range of applied actions including mechanical loads, temperature changes, foundation settlements and construction / manufacturing imperfections.????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? |
| 4. | Analyse statically indeterminate structures using the Force Method and the Moment Distribution Method. |
| 5. | Qualitatively derive support reactions, deformed shape and internal action diagrams of a structure through diagrammatic reasoning and consideration of compatibility and equilibrium conditions. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies:
- Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 (B.1)
- Apply abstraction, mathematics and/or discipline fundamentals to analysis, design and operation, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 (C.1)
- Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competency: 3.2 (E.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Students completing this subject are expected to attend all lecture sessions, actively participate in all tutorial components, attend in-class tests and complete assessment tasks by the due dates.
Lectures (2 hours weekly) combined with prescribed pre-lecture reading. Students will be required to study prescribed reading material on UTSOnline, to attempt nominated exercise problems and complete online quizzes prior to attending each lecture and tutorial according to the weekly teaching schedule. The weekly schedule can be found in the UTSOnline subject website in the folder “Subject Information”. Students should check UTSOnline each week for any updates or announcements. The information from prescribed readings, exercises and quizzes will be included in hands-on exercises during lectures to aid students’ understanding and to reinforce their learning of these topics.
Online quizzes are typically due before the start of the lecture each week. The quizzes are designed to provide students with timely feedback on their learning progress and to encourage them to study regularly before and after the lectures as the content makes up a scope of each lecture. After the due date, each online quiz will be made available for unlimited practice until the end of the teaching session.
Tutorials (2 hours weekly) combined with set exercise problems to be attempted before the tutorial. During tutorial classes, students will be guided to solve analysis problems collaboratively. Supervised tests (1 every 2-3 weeks) will provide students with feedback on their learning progress and prepare them for the final examination. In addition, students are given 3-4 eTasks (assignments) to complete during the teaching session.
The eTasks comprise challenging structural analysis problems and while students are encouraged to collaborate in discussing the solution concept, each student is given an individual data set and makes a separate submission. They have the opportunity to collaboratively discuss solution concepts with fellow students including during tutorial sessions to validate their assumptions and solution methodology. Each eTask will contain approximately 2 exercise problems that are based on material covered in the lectures, tutorial sessions and prescribed reading.
Analysis problems, quizzes and eTasks serve to give students ample opportunity to prepare for optimal participation in lectures and tutorials as well as to gain immediate feedback each week and hence have opportunity to improve their practice.
Content (topics)
This subject covers the following topics:
- Analysis of statically determinate load bearing frames and trusses.
- Qualitative analysis of structures by diagrammatically predicting support reactions, deformed shape and internal actions.
- The Principles of Work and Virtual Work.
- Calculation of elastic deformations caused by applied loads, temperature changes, imperfections and support settlements.
- Analysis of statically indeterminate structures by Force Method.
- Analysis of plane frames by iteration using the Moment Distribution Method.
- Presentation of analysis results by preparing internal action diagrams (axial- and shear forces and bending moments).
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Weekly online quizzes (best 8 of 9 quizzes)
| Intent: | Students will be required to solve weekly online quizzes that are based on material covered in the lectures, tutorials and reading prescribed prior to attending the lecture. The quizzes are designed to provide students with timely feedback on their learning progress and to encourage them to study regularly before and after the lectures. | ||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 | ||||||||
| Type: | Quiz/test | ||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||
| Weight: | 8% | ||||||||
| Criteria: | Online quizzes will be marked automatically. Some questions will be formula based whereby each student will be given a unique data set and therefore correct numerical answers will differ for each student. Only correct numerical answers entered within a prescribed error tolerance will receive marks. Online quizzes are typically due 5 minutes before the start of the lecture each week. You may attempt the quiz multiple times until the due date and time. | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: eTasks
| Intent: | Students will be required to complete 3-4 separate eTasks. These are spread sheet based assignments that are downloaded and must be submitted through UTSOnline by the due date. Each student is assigned an eTask with a different data set depending on the student number. The eTasks are challenging assessments that are summative but also intended to be formative. Students will have approximately 2 weeks to complete each eTask. They have the opportunity to collaboratively discuss solution concepts with fellow students including during tutorial sessions to validate their assumptions and solution methodology. Each eTask will contain approximately 2 exercise problems that are based on material covered in the lectures, tutorial sessions and prescribed reading. | ||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 | ||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||
| Weight: | 24% | ||||||||
| Criteria: | The eTasks will be marked using a programmed algorithm, therefore only correct numerical answers entered within a prescribed error tolerance will attract marks. Each student will be given a unique data set, which is based on her/his student ID and therefore correct answers will differ for each student. | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Tests (best 3 of 4 tests)
| Intent: | Tests are conducted during tutorial classes and aim to simulate exam conditions. Each test will focus on topics covered in lectures and tutorials during the weeks prior to the test. The test will assess the competency of students in selecting and applying methods of structural analysis. Equally important is the ability of the student to present the results in clear form showing solution steps with relevant sketches for free-body diagrams and internal action diagrams. | ||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and E.1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 18% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Actual time may vary but on average test duration will be typically 30 - 45 minutes. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | The best 3 of 4 tests will be counted and there will be no makeup or supplementary tests given. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 4: Final examination (centrally conducted)
| Intent: | This is a comprehensive authentic assessment that covers the entire subject content and will examine the competency of students in selecting and applying appropriate methods of structural analysis, planning the solution approach and clearly and logically presenting it. Equally important are presenting relevant equations, the accuracy of computations and drawing of sketches of free-body diagrams and force and moment diagrams with correct sign conventions. The ability to use diagrammatic reasoning and consider equilibrium and compatibility conditions to qualitatively analyse a structure and correctly predict support reactions, deformed shape and force and moment diagrams will also be examined. | ||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and E.1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Examination | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Two hours plus 10 minutes reading time | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | This is a must pass component of the subject. Students must achieve a mark of 50% or greater in the final exam. Unsatisfactory performance in this exam will automatically lead to a fail result in the subject. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, you must:
- Achieve an overall mark of 50% or greater, and
- Achieve a mark of 50% or greater in the final examination.
Students who do not meet these minimum requirements but achieve an overall mark of 50% or greater will fail the subject and receive their overall mark with an "X" (fail) grade.
Required texts
Saleh, A. Structural Analysis. Lecture Notes. ISBN 978-0-9803387-0-6
Recommended texts
Hibbeler, R.C. Structural Analysis. Prentice Hall.
References
References
1. Arbabi, F. Structural Analysis and Behaviour, McGraw Hill.
2. Beer, F P & Johnston, E R. Mechanics of Materials. McGraw Hill.
3. Ghali, A & Neville, A.M. Structural Analysis, A Unified Classical and Matrix Approach, Chapman & Hall.
4. Hibbeler, R.C. Mechanics of Materials. Prentice Hall
5. Hibbeler, R.C. Structural Analysis. Prentice Hall.
6. Kassimali, A. Structural Analysis. Cengage Learning.
7. Leet, K., Uang, CM. & Gilbert, A, Fundamentals of Structural Analysis. McGraw Hill.
8. Riley, W.F. & Sturges, L.D. Engineering Mechanics, Statics. John Wiley & Sons
9. Saleh, A. Structural Analysis. Lecture Notes. ISBN 978-0-9803387-0-6.
10. T.S. Thandavamoorthy, Analysis of Structures, Strength and Behaviour. Oxford University Press
11. West, H. Fundamentals of Structural Analysis, John Wiley & Sons.
12. Young, W.C. ROARK's Formulas for Stress and Strain, McGraw Hill.
Other resources
UTSOnline provides an Internet based learning aid to students who are formally enrolled in this subject. By logging in you can access study documentation, practice problems and online assessment tasks. You should check this site frequently to keep yourself informed about important announcements such as timetable changes and assessable tasks.
