Analysis of hyperstatic structures

Summary

This course provides the foundation for understanding how hyperstatic structures deform and carry loads under a variety of loading conditions. Beyond analytical methods, it emphasizes the development of physical intuition of internal force distributions and verification on numerical results.

Content

Keywords

Hyperstatic structures, structural redundancy, force method

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

structural / continuum mechanics (CIVIL 124 Statics I, CIVIL-238 Structural Mechanics (for GC), CIVIL-225 Continuum Mechanics (for GC) or equivalent courses), linear algebra, finite element analysis (CIVIL-321 Modélisation numérique des solides et structures or equivalent)

Important concepts to start the course

Analysis of isostatic structures, force diagrams, linear algebra

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Identify hyperstatic structural systems.
• Model typical structural systems in civil engineering with beams and bars.
• Analyze the internal forces of hyperstatic systems.
• Assess / Evaluate FE analysis with hand calculation.

Transversal skills

• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
• Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.

Teaching methods

Ex-cathedra course ; Tutorials (exercises solved in groups of ~20 students)

Expected student activities

Exercises started in class; to be completed at home; project.

Assessment methods

Project 25% ; Mid-term exam 25%; Final exam 50%

Supervision

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Bibliography

Web links:

• https://slsp-epfl.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/41SLSP_EPF/3refa9/alma99116756006805516

• https://slsp-epfl.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/41SLSP_EPF/3refa9/alma990070812780205516

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/CIVIL-497

Prerequisite for

Master project (PDM)