Study Programmes 2015-2016
GCIV2037-1  
Structures analysis
Duration :
35h Th, 30h Pr, 15h Proj.
Number of credits :
Master in civil engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in civil engineering (120 ECTS) (SUSCOS)5
Lecturer :
Vincent Denoël, Philippe Rigo
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
"Stuctural Mechanics - part II" presents some complements to the structural analysis lectures. It comprises three main parts. The first part presents methods to analyze plated structures. The second part presents the basics of structural stability and second order structural response. The third part, more involved, presents methods to analyze structures subjected to dynamic and seismic actions. The following topics are investigated :
  • equations of the plate theory
  • numerical simulation of structures made of plates
  • buckling of plates
  • critical stability of beam-columns in compression, and of assemblies of such elements
  • dynamics of single degree-of-freedom structures, then multiple degree-of-freedom structres
  • modal decomposition, natural frequencies
  • applications to the dynamic analysis of civil engineering structure
Learning outcomes of the course :
At the end of this lecture, the student will be able to distinguish the different types of structural behaviour for a 3-D structure. He/She will also be able to check the stability of structures made of so-called class 4 sections, for which the elastic bending moment cannot be reached. The students will also be able to perform the dynamic analysis of a structure with the finite element method. He/She will have learned to understand the various types of structural behaviour and will be able to simplify its modeling. In doing so, the student will be able to come back to the simpler models studied in the frequency domain, as well as in the time domain. The student will have learned to use of Matlab, which is going to be used throughout the whole series of practical sessions.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Advised : Basic courses in solid and structure mechanics Mandatory : Static structural analysis of structures made of bars (ULg : Lecture entitled Mécanique des Structures I.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Practical sessions are included in the time-schedule. During these sessions, students apply the methods presented in the theoretical lectures for practical cases (vibrations of building or bridges, seismic behaviour of simple structures, stability of bridge elements, resistance of tanks...). Students are expected to provide synthesis reports on the various problems that are studied.Two of three projects have to be studied during the semester.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
The whole course is given (with physical attendance) during the second semester.
Recommended or required readings :
Supporting notes are available and their electronic version is distributed. The reading of the lecture notes is compulsory, at least for the structural dynamics part. A part of the examination consists in providing with the help of the lecture notes, quick answers the short questions asked by the teacher.
Assessment methods and criteria :
The final mark for the course is obtained with the following components and weights:
  • continuous evaluation of skills (20%) through project reports given during the semester.
  • evaluation of the global learning and knowledge and understanding (50%) through two open questions that are answered during an oral examination.
  • evaluation of the global understanding (30%) through a written examen covering the analysis of plate structures and/or the dynamic analysis of simple structures, and/or the critical or nonlinear analysis of a structure made of bars.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
The lecture take place during the second semester, Master I ingénieur civil des constructions. The presence is compulsory.   Lecture notes available here: http://www.ssd.ulg.ac.be/Teaching.htm
Contacts :
Vincent DENOEL v.denoel@ulg.ac.be 04/366.29.30
Philippe RIGO ph.rigo@ulg.ac.be 04/366.93.66