University of Technology Sydney

48349 Structural Analysis

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 48331 Mechanics of Solids AND 33230 Mathematics 2
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
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. 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). (D.1)
2. Draw internal action diagrams showing the distribution of axial forces, shear forces and bending moments in the structure. (D.1)
3. Determine elastic deformations in structures subjected to a range of applied actions including mechanical loads, temperature changes, foundation settlements and construction / manufacturing imperfections. (D.1)
4. Analyse statically indeterminate structures using the Force Method and the Moment Distribution Method. (D.1)
5. Qualitatively derive support reactions, deformed shape and internal action diagrams of a structure through diagrammatic reasoning and consideration of compatibility and equilibrium conditions. (D.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:

  • 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
  • 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
  • 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

Teaching and learning strategies

Students completing this subject are encouraged 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 encouraged to study prescribed reading material on Canvas, to attempt nominated exercise problems prior to attending each lecture and tutorial according to the weekly teaching schedule. The weekly schedule can be found in the Canvas subject website in the folder “Study Plan”. Students should check Canvas each week for any updates or announcements. The information from prescribed readings and exercises will be included in hands-on exercises during lectures to aid students’ understanding and to reinforce their learning of these topics.

Tutorials (2 hours weekly) combined with recommended exercise problems, which students are encouraged to attempt before the tutorial. During tutorial classes, students will be guided to solve and analyse problems collaboratively.

Content (topics)

This subject covers the following topics:

  1. Analysis of statically determinate load bearing frames and trusses.
  2. Qualitative analysis of structures by diagrammatically predicting support reactions, deformed shape and internal actions.
  3. The Principles of Work and Virtual Work.
  4. Calculation of elastic deformations caused by applied loads, temperature changes, imperfections and support settlements.
  5. Analysis of statically indeterminate structures by Force Method.
  6. Analysis of plane frames by iteration using the Moment Distribution Method.
  7. Presentation of analysis results by preparing internal action diagrams (axial- and shear forces and bending moments).

Assessment

Assessment task 1: eTask1---Statics of determinate trusses and frames

Intent:

The aim of this assessment task is to revise topics covered in 48321 Engineering Mechanics and 48331 Mechanics of Solids and evaluate the appropriate use of statics for determinate structural analysis.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2 and 3

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 10%
Criteria:

The eTask1 spreadsheet 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.

The eTask1 report 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 a clear form showing solution steps with relevant sketches for free-body diagrams and internal action diagrams. The eTask1 report needs to include drawings and worked solutions, and your student number at the bottom of each page.

Assessment task 2: eTask2—Principles of Work and Virtual Work

Intent:

The aim of this assessment task is to evaluate the appropriate use of the Force Method for indeterminate structural analysis.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2 and 3

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria:

The eTask2 spreadsheet 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.

The eTask2 report 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. The eTask2 report needs to include drawings and worked solutions, and your student number at the bottom of each page

Assessment task 3: eTask3—Force Method

Intent:

The aim of this assessment task is to evaluate the appropriate use of the Moment Distribution Method for structural analysis.

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):

D.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria:

The eTask3 spreadsheet 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.

The eTask3 report 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. The eTask3 report needs to include drawings and worked solutions, and your student number at the bottom of each page.

Assessment task 4: eTask4—Moment Distribution Method

Intent:

The aim of this assessment task is to evaluate the appropriate use of the Moment Distribution Method for structural analysis.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria:

The eTask4 spreadsheet 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.

The eTask4 report 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. The eTask4 report needs to include drawings and worked solutions, and your student number at the bottom of each page.

Assessment task 5: Major Structural Report

Intent:

The aim of this assessment task is to select and apply appropriate methods of structural analysis, plan the solution approach and clearly and logically present it as a formal report.

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):

D.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Length:

15 pages

Criteria:

The major report will be marked in detail, therefore the report needs include drawings and worked solutions. 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.

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Recommended texts

Hibbeler, R.C. Structural Analysis. Prentice Hall. 6th edition or later

Saleh, A. Structural Analysis. Lecture Notes. ISBN 978-0-9803387-0-6.

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

Canvas 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.