Structural Engineering

Code:

M.EC001

Acronym:

EES

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Structures

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle.up.pt/
Responsible unit:	Department of Civil and Georesources Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.EC	138	Syllabus	1	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Portuguese and english

Objectives

JUSTIFICATION:
The structural design of buildings requires an estimate of the distribution of strains and stresses, due to regulatory actions, at all points of the structures in order to be confronted with limit values. To determine the state of stress and strain it is necessary to master the different methodologies of structural analysis for the various types of structures and structural elements.

OBJECTIVES:
Presentation and discussion of the displacement method for the linear elastic analysis of reticulated structures neglecting the axial deformability of the structural elements. Presentation of the Cross method as a simple and expedite method for calculating statically redundant structures. Dynamic analysis of structures applied to simple structural systems. Introduction to the plastic analysis of structures.

Learning outcomes and competences

COMPETENCES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Knowledge: Identify different types of structural solutions, characterise the distribution and displacements and internal forces, due to static and dynamic actions, in reticulated structures with linear and non-linear behaviour, and interpret the results of applying structural analysis methods.

Understanding: Identify the hypotheses and the steps to be adopted in the structural analysis with the displacement method and the Cross method.

Application: Use the methods of structural analysis in the calculation of displacements and internal forces in structures in linear and non-linear regimes and considering the behaviour under static and dynamic loading.

Analysis: Discuss and interpret the results of structural analysis aiming at the validation of the calculation process.

Synthesis: Propose, in the context of the displacement method, efficient base systems and, based on the results, identify the structural variants with better behaviour.

Engineering Design: Analyse real structures with the aim of approximating structural idealizations to those found in design projects.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

The students attending the course are expected to have a solid background on fundamental topics of structural analysis and structural behaviour that were already taught and addressed in courses such as Structural Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis.

Program

Chapter 1: Analysis of plane frames with axially rigid members, by the displacement (or stiffness) method.
Chapter 2: Analysis of plane frames with axially rigid members, by the Cross method.
Chapter 3: Dynamic analysis of simple structural systems.
Chapter 4: Plastic analysis of framed structures using plastic theorems

PERCENTUAL DISTRIBUTION: Scientific component: 80% Technological component: 20%

DEMONSTRATION OF THE SYLLABUS COHERENCE WITH THE CURRICULAR UNIT'S OBJECTIVES: Presentation of the analysis models of linear elastic framed structures with axially rigid members. Analysis of simple structural systems subjected to dynamic loading conditions. Consideration of material nonlinearities in the analysis of framed structures subjected to static loads.

Mandatory literature

A. Ghali, A. M. Neville; Structural analysis. ISBN: 0-419-21200-0
Ray W. Clough; Dynamics of structures. ISBN: 0-07-011392-0

Complementary Bibliography

Anil K. Chopra; Dynamics of structures. ISBN: 0-13-521063-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

Presentation and discussion of all the contents in theoretical classes along with simple illustrative problems.
In theoretical-practical classes is proposed and discussed a set of applications associated to theoretical issues.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE COHERENCE BETWEEN THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The teaching methodologies permit to use methods of structural analysis to calculate the displacements and internal forces of structures in linear and nonlinear regimen and considering the dynamic behaviour, discuss and criticize the results of the calculation of structures in order to validate the calculation process, propose, for the methods of the forces and displacements, efficient base systems and according to the obtained results structural variants with improved behaviour.

Software

FTOOL

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Teste	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	110,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Obtaining a final grade requires compliance with attendance at the course unit, according to the Master in Civil Engineering assessment rules. It is considered that students meet the attendance requirements if, having been regularly enrolled, the number of absences of 25% for each of the classes’ types is not exceeded.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification is based on a distributed assessment, which consists of one intermediate exam to be solved by the students during the term, and a final exam.
The distributed assessment is optional.
All assessment components are expressed on a scale between 0 and 20.

1. The final grade, CF, results from the following calculation formula:

CF = max {CT; EF}

where

CT = PA x CAD + PF x EF 

CAD - grade obtained in the intermediate exam that will take place during the term;
EF - grade obtained in the written exam.

The grades CAD and EF are associated with the following weights:

PA = (25%)
PF = (75%)

NOTE 1: The assignment, associated with classification CAD is optional. If the student does not participate in the intermediate exam, the corresponding weight will be added to PF.

NOTE 2: All students enrolled in the course are graded according to this method.

NOTE 3: The grade associated with the distributed assessment obtained in previous years will not be considered in the current academic year.

NOTE 4: A grade higher than 17/20 can only be obtained after an oral examination.

2. Procedure for distributed assessment during the semester 

The distributed assessment during the semester will be based on one intermediate exam to be conducted on the Moodle platform. This will be carried out according to the following rules:

2.1. The exam will take will last 90 minutes and the date will be defined at the beginning of the term.

2.2. The exam will consist of theoretical and practical questions related to the topics covered until that date and will be conducted without any consultation of lecture notes (except tables/ forms signed in due course).

Examinations or Special Assignments

In addition to the distributed evaluation, a lecture is scheduled for next 11/10, from 2pm to 4pm. Participation is optional, but will be scored with 1 point. If he attends this lecture, the student will have his final classification defined for 0-19 points, with the addition of one point.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

In the special exams, the classification is based exclusively on the written examination, which will be marked on a scale between 0 and 20.

Observations

Working time estimated outside of class attendance: 4 hours per week


In the case of an eventual impediment to conducting the intermediate exam, the assessment will be based on the final exam.