Overview
This course develops analytical methods for determining reactions, internal forces, displacements, and stability in statically determinate and indeterminate structures. Topics include structural idealization, load paths, support conditions, free-body diagrams, equilibrium, shear-force and bending-moment diagrams, trusses, beams, frames, influence lines, moving loads, deflection by integration, superposition, moment-area methods, virtual work, energy methods, and introductory matrix and stiffness methods.
Students examine compatibility, redundancy, structural stability, temperature effects, support settlement, and elastic behaviour in representative bridges, buildings, and frames. The course integrates hand calculations with structural-analysis software, emphasizing model selection, load combinations, serviceability, uncertainty, constructability, resilience, sustainability, code compliance, and public safety. Students verify results through equilibrium and qualitative checks and communicate assumptions, limitations, and technically sound conclusions.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse determinate beams, trusses, frames, and representative bridge and building structures using equilibrium and appropriate structural idealizations.
- Distinguish statically determinate and indeterminate behaviour and evaluate structural stability, redundancy, compatibility, and support conditions.
- Construct and interpret shear-force, bending-moment, axial-force, and influence-line diagrams for prescribed and moving loads.
- Calculate structural deflections using integration, superposition, moment-area, virtual-work, energy, and introductory stiffness methods.
- Evaluate load effects, serviceability performance, temperature actions, support settlement, elastic behaviour, and relevant load combinations.
- Select, use, and critically interpret structural-analysis software while recognising modelling assumptions, numerical limitations, and verification requirements.
- Document structural assumptions, code considerations, uncertainty, constructability, resilience, sustainability, and public-safety implications in professional technical reports.
- Synthesize analytical results into clear engineering conclusions supported by equilibrium checks, qualitative checks, diagrams, calculations, and appropriate technical communication.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Lab | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Structural idealization and equilibrium assignment | 15.00% |
| Assignment | Deflection and energy-method assignment | 15.00% |
| Test | Mid-semester analytical test | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Software modelling and verification report | 15.00% |
| Capstone | Integrated bridge, building, or frame analysis project | 15.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 20.00% |
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
