Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On completion of this subject the students should have a thorough understanding of the contemporary matrix methods for structural analysis and be able to carry out the analysis for various types of structural problems manually or through computers.
Synopsis Matrix algebra; numerical methods for solving simultaneous equations. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; applications of eigen problems to structural engineering. Analysis of determinate and indeterminate structures by stiffness method: pin and rigid jointed frames, support settlement, initial deformation, symmetry, internal hinges, elastic supports and semi-rigid connections. 3D frames. Computer storage schemes. Introduction to nonlinear analysis; buckling load and buckling mode, geometric stiffness matrix, eigenvalue and eigenvector solution. Use of computer packages.
Assessment Written: 30% + Examination (2 hours): 70%