ENG2012 – Structural Behaviour

ENG2012: Structural Behaviour

Module Handbook
(Last updated on 14 Jan 2024)

Module leader: Dr Andres Alonso-Rodriguez

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 ENG2012 – Structural Behaviour

Introduction
Structural Behavior is a fundamental module for developing your structural analysis knowledge that
underpins design of civil and mechanical structures. It will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative
methods of linear elastic as well as plastic and buckling analyses of simple structures (beams and/or
frames) under static loading. The learning will be facilitated via lectures, tutorials, and consultations during
office hours. You will also enhance your experimental and report writing skills by executing a Plastic
Collapse of Portal Frame test and reporting on your findings. This module lays foundations for more
advanced structure design modules.

With widespread use of computer analysis of structures, engineering graduates are often required to
interpret and check the results of the computer analysis. Successful completion of these tasks that
are essential for structural design require knowledge of fundamental technics of linear elastic, plastic
and buckling analyses that are key topics in this module. You will therefore develop appreciation of
the analysis process and ability to competently interpret the results. Some examples of questions you
will be able to answer are (the list is not exhaustive):

 How much a beam will deform under given static loading?

 What are the internal forces at a point of interest in a portal frame?

 What is maximum static loading a beam or frame can resist and still stay in the elastic
state?

 What is maximum static loading a beam or frame can resist before experiencing plastic
collapse?

 At which axial force will a column buckle?

 How well can the theory predict the actual collapse loading of a frame evidenced in an
experiment? What are possible causes of any differences?

Apart from developing analytical skills and knowledge about how the structure behaves, you will
collaborate with your peers in collecting experimental data and advance your written
communication skills by producing an individual report.

You are encouraged to study regularly and discuss with the lecturer any challenges you encounter.
Do not hesitate to get in touch (no booking required!) and clarify any issues timely as mastering new
material very much depends on your understanding of the previous material. The office hour will be
held via Teams. Just pop in and join any existing discussion under way or initiate a new
one..Successful completion of this module will enhance your ability to solve structural analysis
problems and develop your confidence in applying the methods learnt here when required in
modules related to structural design. This module builds on your previous knowledge of ENG1007
(Fundamentals of Mechanics) and ENG2011 (Solid Mechanics).

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 ENG2012 – Structural Behaviour

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO # Intended Learning Outcome AHEP* ILO - MEng AHEP ILO - BEng

ILO #1 Explain and utilise strain energy SM1m, Sm5m, EA1m, SM1p, EA1p, EA2p, EA3p
methods EA2m, EA3m, EA6m

ILO #2 Calculate the critical buckling load for SM1m, SM5m, EA1m, SM1p, EA1p, EA2p, EA3p
struts under compression EA2m, EA3m, EA6m

ILO #3 Evaluate the maximum plastic moment SM1m, SM5m, EA1m, SM1p, EA1p, EA2p, EA3p
of beams with simple cross sections EA2m, EA3m, EA6m
(rectangular or I-beams)

ILO #4 Estimate the plastic collapse load of SM1m, SM5m, EA1m, SM1p, EA1p, EA2p, Ea3p
simple 2D structures EA2m, EA3m, EA6m

ILO #5 Perform qualitative structural analysis of EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, SM1p, EA1p, EA2p, EA3p
beams and 2D frame structures EA6m

ILO #6 Calculate the deflection in statically SM1m, SM5m, EA1m, SM1p, EA1p, EA2p, EA3p
determinate and indeterminate prismatic EA2m, EA3m, EA6m
and non-prismatic beams

ILO #7 Use virtual work to find unknown SM1m, SM5m, EA1m, SM1p, EA1p, EA2p, EA3p
reactions, bending moments, deflections EA2m, EA3m, EA6m
and rotations in statically determinate
2D structures

ILO #8 Employ the flexibility method to find SM1m, SM5m, EA1m, SM1p, EA1p, EA2p, EA3p
bending moments in statically EA2m, EA3m, EA6m
indeterminate 2D structures

ILO #9 Demonstrate an ability to make SM1m, SM5m, EA1m, EA1p, EA2p, EA3p
appropriate assumptions to model real- EA2m, EA3m, EA6m
life engineering problems

ILO #10 Demonstrate improved experimental ET6m ET6p, EP3p

skills and awareness of health and
safety practice in laboratory classes

ILO #11 Show increased ability with D3m D3p

mathematical analysis and in particular
its application to solving problems

ILO #12 Illustrate developed problem solving and G1m, G4m G1p, G4p
presentation skills

*Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) ILOs for MEng and BEng Degrees

Module schedule
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 ENG2012 – Structural Behaviour

Note: Check your personal timetable and Week tiles’ content on ELE if you are unsure.

Topic How and when it is

covered
Module Overview 1 lecture (T2:01)
Beams Introduction and Internal Forces; 3 lectures (T2:01)
1 tutorial (T2:02)
Deflections (Integration and Superposition) 3 lectures (T2:02)
1 tutorial (T2:03)
Deflections (Variable EI and Macaulay) 2 lectures (T2:03)
1 tutorial (T2:04)
Deflections (Strain Energy and Castigliano) 3 lectures (T2:04)
1 tutorial (T2:05)
Static Indeterminacy and Deflections by Virtual Work 2 lectures (T2:05)
1 tutorial (T2:06)
Plastic Analysis of Beams 3 lectures (T2:06)
1 tutorial (T2:07)
Plastic Analysis of Frames 2 lectures (T2:07)
1 tutorial (T2:08)
Flexibility Method 2 lectures (T2:08)
1 tutorial (T2:09)
Lab Preparation 1 lecture (T2:08)
Lab Experiment* 1 lab session (T2:09)*
Qualitative Structural Analysis 2 lectures (T2:09)
1 tutorial (T2:10)
Buckling 2 lectures (T2:10)
1 tutorial (T2:11)
Exam Preparation 1 lecture (T2:11)
Submission of the Lab Report** T2:10-12
*The lab takes up to 2h. **Data analysis and writing of the lab report requires about 6h (assuming you mastered the
required theory in Week 6 and 7).
All the other activities in the table are nominal 1h sessions, as per your timetable.

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 ENG2012 – Structural Behaviour

Module Staff
All lectures and tutorials are delivered by Dr Andres Alonso Rodriguez.
At least two PTAs, Nimmy Abraham, Naser Taleshi and potentially a member of Technical Staff
will be at hand, if required, during your lab.

Office Hours
Booking is not required. Just send a message or call via Teams to set up an informal meeting that
will likely take place in an open space.
You can attend any number of times, as/when you consider appropriate.

ELE
This handbook and all other resources are provided on the ENG2012 webpages on ELE2.

Communication: Keeping in touch and Staying up-to-date

There are several ways to discuss queries related to ENG2012 with the Module Lead Andres
Alonso. These are:

1. lectures (as per timetable) - an ideal opportunity to ask for clarifications of

lecture material in any particular week. Make sure to watch relevant lectures
beforehand.
2. Weekly tutorials (as per timetable) - further opportunity to discuss material from
the previous week.
3. Forum tile - use to post your inquiry. Note that the questions and answers will
be visible to all the students in the class.
4. Email Module Lead Andres Alonso Rodriguez (a.alonso-
rodriguez@exeter.ac.uk).

Please make sure to keep an eye on the Announcement link at the main module page, for up-
to-date information about matters related to the module.

The Module Lead will welcome any feedback about the module you might have at any point
during the term. Please feel free to email your opinion about the module and any suggestions
how it could be improved.

Assessment
The module is assessed through:
 Laboratory Report: 15%
 Summative assessment in the form of an unseen exam paper: 85%

Marking criteria for the Lab Report are:

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 ENG2012 – Structural Behaviour

 Understanding of the material in relation to the plastic collapse of structures and

accuracy of numerical calculations (approximately 50%)
 Critical assessment of numerical/experimental data and results (approximately 30%) and
 Clarity (visual and logical) of presentation (approximately 20%)

Approximate percentage value of the credits for each assessment point are given in brackets.
They might change slightly, especially if any change in the Lab plan has to be adopted (e.g.
delivering them via video recordings (e.g. if restrictions related to covid-19 pandemic come into
play)).

Your exam practice should involve only relevant topics from the past papers. There will be a
non-compulsory lecture in the last week of the module in which you will get advice on effective
exam preparation.

Plastic Collapse Lab

You will be divided in groups of, most likely, 3 students to collect data in the lab. You will work
as a group to make sure to collect good quality data.
The groups will be decided by the lecturer and will be published during Week 8. The Lab is
scheduled for Week 9, as per your timetable.
While the data will be common for members of each group, you are asked to analyse them
independently and report your findings in your individual Laboratory report. More details about
the Lab will be provided in due course via ELE pages as well as in a lecture on Wednesday in
Week 8.

Attendance
You are required to learn the concepts in the same week in which they are delivered, as per
timetable. Make sure you keep up with the module material as per timetable. In principle
attendance of lectures is compulsory.
Tutorials are compulsory and attendance may be monitored, as per the current Faculty policy.
Attending Lab is compulsory as this is the only way for you to collect the data to analyze for
the Lab Report. If there are serious reasons that prevented you to attend the Lab you will need
to get in touch with info.harrison@exeter.ac.uk as soon as you realise that you cannot attend
the lab, and request details of how to apply for mitigation. As the lab is unlikely to rescheduled
(due to finite lab, time and human resources), the most likely outcome of your application, if
successful, is that the module will be assessed via your performance in the exam paper only.

Module descriptor
The module descriptor can be found in the Module Information tile on the ENG2012 module
page.