Course syllabus
Byggnadsmekanik
Structural Mechanics
VSMA05, 8 credits, G1 (First Cycle)
Valid for: 2019/20
Decided by: PLED V
Date of Decision: 2019-04-01
General Information
Main field: Technology.
Compulsory for: V2
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish
Aim
The aim of the course is to give an introduction to structural
mechanics with application to types of structures that are common
in buildings and infrastructure.
The course is built upon previous courses in especially
mechanics, mathematics and material science and is intended as
basic general knowledge for a MSc in Civil Engineering and to give
necessary prerequisites for further studies in structural and
geotechnical engineering and more advanced structural
mechanics.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must
- Be able to explain basic concepts and relations within the
area.
- Be able to describe the mode of action of some
important structural elements.
- Be able to describe the general appearance of the deformed
shape and section forces for simple structures and loadcases.
- Be able to describe the general appearance of the stress
distribution caused by axial load, bending or torsion in a
beam.
Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must
- Be able to choose a suitable model for analysing a simple
structure.
- Be able to calculate section forces, stresses and deformations
for bars, trusses, beams, simple frames, shafts and simple
composite structures.
- Be able to determine principal stresses and directions for a
two-dimensional stress state.
- Be able to analyse columns with respect to buckling and second
order theory.
- Be able to analyse free-vibration response and response to
harmonic loading for a single-degree-of-freedom system.
- Be able to present a clear and correct written solution to a
problem (given data, assumptions, calculations, results,
conclusions).
- Be able to orally present the solution of a problem in front of
a group of students and teachers.
Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must
- Be able to assess the reasonableness in an obtained
result.
Contents
The course starts with a revision of free-body diagrams and
equilibrium, with application to trusses, and introduction of the
concepts stress and strain.
- Free-body diagrams and equilibrium. Trusses. Stress, strain and
stress-strain relationships.
After that follows a compehensive treatment of Bernoulli's beam
theory:
- Section forces in beams. Normal stress and shear stress for
elastic bending of beams. Plastic bending of beams. Deflection of
beams. Statically indeterminate beams.
Finally, some furter subjects within structural mechanics are
introduced:
- The mode of action of some important structural elements.
Columns; buckling and second order theory. Torsion of circular
cross sections. Transformation of stress and strain, principal
stresses, yield criteria. Dynamics; free vibrations and response to
harmonic loading for simple structural elements.
Examination details
Grading scale: TH - (U,3,4,5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: Two hand-in assignments (one of which is also presented orally), one laboratory assignment and one written examination.
The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
Admission
Required prior knowledge: VSM010 Mechanics or VSMA25 Mechanics
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: FME602, VSM025, VSM140, VSM141, VSMA10, VSMA20
Reading list
- Heyden, S., Dahlblom, O., Olsson, A., Sandberg, G.: Introduktion till strukturmekaniken. Studentlitteratur, 2017, ISBN: 9789144084060.
- Språkrådet: Svenska skrivregler. Liber, 2017, ISBN: 9789147111497. Reference.
- Programledning V: Anvisningar för rapporter på V-programmet. 2015. Available on the programme's website.
Contact and other information
Course coordinator: Universitetslektor Susanne Heyden, susanne.heyden@construction.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.byggmek.lth.se/utbildning/kurser