The course offers an overview of those aspects of the Computational Mechanics able to improve basic knowledge and skills of Structural Mechanics that architecture students acquired and developed during their educational training.
In the last seventy years, the evolution of computing power led to the development of enhanced numerical strategies. Initially characterized only by analytic and often complicated procedures, tools for structural analysis evolved in modeling techniques suitable for numerical implementations in CAD/CAE software platforms.
The course aims therefore to provide a first insight on such tools, ranging from their theoretical formulation to basic examples of their computer programming.
The followed approach, making less rigorous and then more attractive than usual courses for engineering schools, is also able to offer a different point of view for students, with a more intuitive understanding of computational structural mechanics, models and numerical methods therein.
In the last seventy years, the evolution of computing power led to the development of enhanced numerical strategies. Initially characterized only by analytic and often complicated procedures, tools for structural analysis evolved in modeling techniques suitable for numerical implementations in CAD/CAE software platforms.
The course aims therefore to provide a first insight on such tools, ranging from their theoretical formulation to basic examples of their computer programming.
The followed approach, making less rigorous and then more attractive than usual courses for engineering schools, is also able to offer a different point of view for students, with a more intuitive understanding of computational structural mechanics, models and numerical methods therein.
teacher profile teaching materials
Since its first applications (late 1940s) FEM naturally plays an inter/multi-disciplinary role, where physical models can be implemented by simple modular schemes and iterative algorithms.
Through both theoretical presentations and practices, lectures will focus on the key-items of the numerical implementation for structural analysis (linear and modal analysis for elastic and dynamic structural characterization, respectively); connections between such aspects and those related to tools for parametric modeling of solid geometries will be regarded as crucial.
The equilibrium field equations will be also formulated in a general mathematical format, so as to have an overview of their use in general-purpose softwares, able to simulate generic physical problems.
The course program addresses the following issues:
1. Introduction to linear algebra and analysis;
2. Linear-elastic analysis of beam frame systems;
3. Modal (vibrational) analysis of beam frame systems;
4. Generalized FEM formulation for PDEs (Partial Differential Equations).
Nam-Ho Kim, Bhavani V. Sankar, Ashok V. Kumar. Introduction to Finite Element Analysis and Design (2nd ed.). Wiley.
Programme
The course topics cover several mechanical problems approached by the Finite Element Method (FEM), and specifically addressed to both 2D and 3D beam frame systems.Since its first applications (late 1940s) FEM naturally plays an inter/multi-disciplinary role, where physical models can be implemented by simple modular schemes and iterative algorithms.
Through both theoretical presentations and practices, lectures will focus on the key-items of the numerical implementation for structural analysis (linear and modal analysis for elastic and dynamic structural characterization, respectively); connections between such aspects and those related to tools for parametric modeling of solid geometries will be regarded as crucial.
The equilibrium field equations will be also formulated in a general mathematical format, so as to have an overview of their use in general-purpose softwares, able to simulate generic physical problems.
The course program addresses the following issues:
1. Introduction to linear algebra and analysis;
2. Linear-elastic analysis of beam frame systems;
3. Modal (vibrational) analysis of beam frame systems;
4. Generalized FEM formulation for PDEs (Partial Differential Equations).
Core Documentation
T.J.R. Hughes. The Finite Element Method. Dover Publications, 2000.Nam-Ho Kim, Bhavani V. Sankar, Ashok V. Kumar. Introduction to Finite Element Analysis and Design (2nd ed.). Wiley.
Reference Bibliography
Kolarevic, B., and Malkavi, A., (2005). Performative Architecture: Beyond Instrumentality, Spon Press, NY and London. O. C. Zienkiewicz, R. L. Taylor, J. Z. Zhu. The Finite Element Method: Its Basis and Fundamentals, Butterworth-Heinemann, (2005) T.Y Yang. Finite Element Structural Analysis, Prentice-Hall, Inc, Englewood, NJ, 1986. Keith D. Hjelmstad. Fundamentals of Structural Mechanics. Springer. Cueto E., González D. An Introduction to Structural Mechanics for Architects. SpringerType of delivery of the course
The course is taught by lectures and practical exercises. Guided practice on desktop workstations consists of the use of both general-purpose softwares (eg., Comsol Multiphysics, Wolfram Mathematica, MATLAB) and more specific softwares for structural analysis, such as SAP2000. As concerns geometric modeling, CAD softwares for 3D computer graphics applications will be also employed, AutoDesk Maya and Blender among others. If the University will extend measures adopted for COVID-19 health emergency, guidance for remote studies and assessment will be implemented. In particular, lectures will be held online through MicroSoft TEAMS, according to details that will be given during the semester.Attendance
Students are strongly encouraged to attend to their class for both theory and practice. According to the Degree programme teaching regulation, at least 75% of attendance needs to take the final examination during the current academic year.Type of evaluation
The final assessment will be a presentation and discussion of an in-depth investigation on one specific topic, chosen among those presented during the course. Both self and group works are admitted. If the University will extend measures adopted for COVID-19 health emergency, guidance for remote studies and assessment will be implemented. In particular, final examinations will be held online through MicroSoft TEAMS, according to details that will be given during the semester.