Unit name | Structural Analysis |
---|---|
Unit code | AENGM0054 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Pirrera |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
The topics covered in this unit will include fundamental concepts of structural mechanics and stress analysis. The unit is propaedeutic to further studies on composite materials and their structures.
Structural mechanics is the branch of mechanics that studies the behaviour of elastic structures under the action of loads, such as forces and temperature changes. Students will learn basic concepts of structural design and performance evaluation and will come to understand the links between structural geometry, material properties, loads and support conditions, and the ensuing stiffness, deformations (or strains), deflections and stresses. Particular focus will be placed on structural elements for lightweight and monocoque constructions, including thin-walled beams, trusses and frames, plates, shells, shafts, etc. Fundamental loading conditions such as stretching, bending, torsion and buckling will be covered as part of this unit.
Aims: To equip the students with: (a) a basic understanding of the concepts of stress, strain, stiffness, deflection, loads and boundary condition; and (b) the knowledge and analysis tools (e.g. Finite Element Analysis) required to perform basic stress analyses, structural design and performance evaluation.
On successful completion of the unit students will be able to:
The unit comprises a series of weekly tutorial sessions. Students are expected to study these subjects in their own time by engaging with provided reading material and participating in the tutorials with the teaching staff. As such, they are asked to have recourse to self-directed and peer-to-peer learning to navigate the unit’s content and determine the topic to be covered during the tutorials.
100% Structures written examination (3 hours in January). This will assess of all four Intended Learning Outcomes.