Advanced Analysis and Design of Steel and Composite Structures

Abstract

In „Advanced Analysis and Design of Steel and Composite Structures”, students will learn the theoretical background and relevant modelling approaches to carry out advanced analyses for the design and assessment of steel and composite structures.

Objective

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to: - Understand and apply the theoretical fundamentals of advanced analysis methods for steel and composite structures, including: material and geometrical non-linearities, buckling, fatigue and fire design; - Model and analyse structural components and systems (beams, plates, shells, connections) using finite element ,methods (FEM) with appropriate boundary conditions, mesh modelling, material laws, and geometric imperfections; - Carry out numerical simulations for the assessment of buckling in plated and shell structures, for the fatigue design of steel members and joints, and for the static behaviour of composite steel-concrete beams members; - Conduct thermal and thermomechanical analyses of steel and composite structures exposed to fire and verify the resistance according to the performance-based design; - Collaborate in small groups to complete a design project, applying the learned theoretical and numerical tools to realistic engineering tasks and presenting well-documented, verifiable results.

Content

Course Description This course introduces civil engineering students to the advanced analysis and design of steel and composite structures and by combining lectures, tutorial sessions using a software for finite element modelling, and an assigned group project. Lectures The lectures will cover the following topics: - Theoretical aspects and advanced analysis of plated and shell structures, including geometric and material nonlinearities; - Fundamentals of finite element modelling (FEM) for structural applications, including discretisation, boundary conditions, and interpretation of results; - Numerical evaluation of buckling phenomena in plates, shells, and structural members including local and global stability; - Advanced methods for fatigue design of steel and composite structures and their numerical implementation; - Background and numerical modelling of composite steel–concrete structures, including interaction behavior and shear connection modelling; - Thermal and thermomechanical analysis of structures exposed to fire, including temperature-dependent material properties and design principles; - Introduction to “Design by Analysis (DbA)” according to the upcoming Eurocode 3 Part 1-14, including validation and verification of FE-based design models. Group Project Students will consolidate the knowledge gained in lectures and tutorials by completing a group project consisting of tasks where the students will: - Establish appropriate finite element models representing the given structural system/members with all required material and properties, boundary conditions and loads; - Execute (non-linear) analyses for validating the numerical model created and check the suitability of the given system by interpreting the results according to relevant Standards; - Prepare a technical report documenting the modelling approach(es), and the results, including a critical discussion. Students will work on the project during the second half of the semester, receiving feedback during scheduled weekly office hours. At the end of the semester, the groups will submit a written report and participate in an oral examination, which covers the theoretical aspects of the course as well as the contents of the submitted project.

Resources