Structural Analysis IV
Lecture Notes for 2009/10
Matrix Stiffness Method
Nice pretty new notes here.
A beam analysis spreadsheet based on the stiffness method.
Structural Dynamics
Solutions to Examples – please try the example problems though before you view the solution.
Extra: explanation of the amplitude solution to the equation of motion.
Major overhaul of the Structural Dynamics notes for 2009/10 here.
Software to complement the notes for download:
- Excel: SDOF Undamped Free Vibration: basic introduction example;
- Excel: SDOF Damped Free Vibration: introduces damping into the problem;
- Excel: SDOF Damped Forced Vibration – Harmonic: analysis when harmonic (sine) loading applied;
- Excel: SDOF Damped Forced Vibration – Newmark: numerical method for arbitrary loading;
- Matlab: Figure 1.3 script;
- Matlab: sdof_undamped function;
- Matlab: sdof_damped function;
- Matlab: sdof_forced function;
- Matlab: phase function;
- Matlab: phase script;
- Matlab: newmark_sdof function;
- Matlab: Newmark script;
- Matlab: Figure 2.5 script;
- Matlab: Figure 2.8 script;
- Matlab: DAF function.
Combined Structures
Moderately updated from last year:
Lecture Notes for 2008/9
Computer Modelling of Structures – Group Projects – 2008/9
The projects are available as follows:
- Group 1 – Not yet available;
- Group 2 – Nonlinear analysis of an RC beam;
- Group 3 – Shear walls with openings;
- Group 4 – Arching action in curved masonry walls;
- Group 5 – Flat slab design using nonlinear FE and traditional methods;
- Group 6 – Investigation of strip footings under column loads;
- Group 7 – Convergence of FE to theoretical result for plane stresses in a beam;
- Group 8 – Not yet available;
- Group 9 – Calculation of beam deflections subsequent to a stiffness analysis;
- Group 10 – Vibration absorption for an SDOF system;
- Group 11 – Not yet available.
Semester 1 Exam Handout.
Lecture Notes for 2007/8
These notes were developed based on Robert Mahony’s notes delivered to DIT for over 20 years. They are not computerized but scanned in acetates but they may still prove useful.
- Combined Structures: Virtual work analysis used for structures whose members undergo bending and/or axial force.
- Analysis of Arches: Virtual Work for moments/shears and axial forces in parabolic and semi-circular arches.
- Stiffness Method: The basis of modern structural analysis software. A particular case of FE.
- Influence Line Analysis: Used to determine design loads for members in structures subjected to moving loads (e.g. bridges) or for repeated analysis of a structure under various loading scenarios.
- Structural Dynamics: Exact and approximate methods of determining the motion of structures under dynamic loading scenarios.
Software
LinPro is great for analysing 2D structures. There are no bells & whistles to distract from the basic analysis and you can see the stiffness matrix for each member. The interface is quite easy (apart from the load definitions which are strange!). Well recommended for checking hand calculations and vice-versa.
Comments
Comment from Colin
Time: 21 November, 2008, 13:53
That’s right – aL is a non-integer – as found from the roots of eq 4.28. Knowing L, substitute aL into eq. 4.21 to get w = a^2*(EI/m)^0.5. The first three roots, or values of aL, are given in Fig. 4.4.
Comment from sintayehu
Time: 11 March, 2009, 14:08
I loved your site for its completeness. I’m now studying civil engineering in Ethiopia(Jiimma University). It is my request if you can possibly send me materials for we have almost none in the University.
Comment from Colin
Time: 11 March, 2009, 14:16
Sintayehu,
Thanks for your kind comments. Feel free to download anything of interest from the site.
Comment from Ali El-baden
Time: 2 January, 2010, 22:40
it is one of the best web site i have seen
Comment from Liz
Time: 23 January, 2010, 20:35
Best site ever! I don’t know what I’d have done if I hadn’t found this site. Your notes are amazing!
Comment from HAKIZIMANA GAETAN
Time: 3 July, 2010, 11:59
From now I got the full knowledge to help me in my study
I thank you a lot for this hard work that you have done.
Comment from Constantinos Kalotaris
Time: 19 August, 2010, 18:27
For those interested in structural dynamics also the notes of Prof Lynch from University of Michingan Ann Arbor
Comment from Neil Kempton
Time: 21 November, 2008, 12:46
Great notes on structural dynamics. At the risk of sounding like a smartarse, have a look at p34. solution to cos(x)cosh(x) + 1 = 0 will be n(pi) except that n will be a non integer determined numerically? This is unlike the s-s example.