EGB475 Advanced Structural Analysis

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This is an advanced structural engineering unit in which topics that are regularly used by structural engineers as well as some topics that become useful for special cases will be covered. Using knowledge from previous years, you will develop and present the computer based stiffness method for analyzing structures in order to design them. Dynamics and vibration of structures will be introduced with applications to buildings. Structures collapse when loaded beyond their capacity. The predictable pattern of structural failure through the formation of plastic hinges (or failure points) will be treated. The application of dynamics and vibration to structural health monitoring and damage detection and to seismic engineering will be covered. The Australian Standard AS1170.4 for seismic analysis will be used in the studies. On completion of this unit, students will be well prepared to face the challenges of a structural engineer.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Understand the skills pertinent to advanced structural analysis and design at a developed level.
2. Demonstrate critical problem-solving skills and analytical thinking for advanced structural analysis at a developed level.
3. Perform the dynamics and seismic analysis to solve real-world structural engineering problems at a mastered level.

Content

Learning Approaches

Teaching mode: 4 hours per week.
Lectures: 3 hrs
Tutorials: 1 hrs

Teaching in this unit will be through lectures, tutorial sessions and class room discussions. It is imperative that you attend lectures as class discussions will focus on 'why' and 'how' structures respond. 'Real world' examples will be presented to illustrate the theory. You will be encouraged to ask questions to clarify doubts and to cover 'what if' scenarios to enhance learning. Most (not all) of the lecture material will be made available to you through power point slides and notes on Canvas. There will be derivations and problem solving in class, which have proven to have a significant impact on students' learning.

Tutorial sessions will form an important part of the teaching and learning. In tutorials, theory will be illustrated with examples. Students will have the opportunity to work through problems with the assistance of the lecturer and tutors. This provides an opportunity for team work.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback will be provided in class after grading each assessment. Important points on your overall performance will also be provided through Canvas.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in the unit includes practical problem solving tasks and a final exam.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Examination (written)

The final examination will involve descriptive questions and problems in all the topics covered in this unit. You will use the principles taught in this unit to describe concepts and/principles and solve problems in stiffness and direct stiffness methods, structural dynamics and vibration, structural health monitoring, the collapse of structures with applications to simple structures, and seismic engineering.

“If campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period/due date, an alternative, which may be a timed online assessment, will be offered. Individual students whose circumstances prevent their attendance on campus will be provided with an alternative assessment approach.”

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

Descriptive and Problem solving in (i) stiffness method applied to simple structures, (ii) direct stiffness method for complex structures through matrix-vector formulations, (iii) vibration analysis of single and multi degrees of freedom systems and (iv) dynamic response of simple structures.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

Descriptive and Problem solving in (i) structural health monitoring and damage detction of simple structures (ii) plastic analysis and collapse of simple structures, (iii) seismic engineering of buildings structures.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

AS 1170.0 and AS 1170.4 (or equivalent student version), all with current amendments.

West, HH and Geschwindner, LF, Fundamentals of Structural Analysis. 2002 (2nd edition) or later. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

THT Chan and DP Thambiratnam, Structural Health Monitoring in Australia. Nove Publishers (soft or hard cover)  2014

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional class rooms or lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with this unit.

QUT has a formal risk assessment process which can be used to determine the types or risks and how you should handle them.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

1. 
   Relates to: Examination (written), Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task
2. 
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3. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task

2: Engineering Application Ability

1. 
   Relates to: Examination (written), Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task
2. 
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3: Professional and Personal Attributes

1. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task

Course Learning Outcomes

EN55 Master of Professional Engineering

1. Apply advanced and specialist knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering design, analysis management and sustainability.
   Relates to: Examination (written), Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task
2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
   Relates to: Examination (written), Problem Solving Task
3. Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non specialist audiences.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Problem Solving Task
4. Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering decision making and professional accountability.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task