Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding:
At the end of the course, the student will acquire the theoretical basis and the application tools for calculating the response of structures subjected to dynamic loads of different types (vibration, shock/impact, wind, earthquake, etc.).
Applying knowledge and understanding:
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the ability to understand and model the dynamic behavior of engineering structures, in order to assess their degree of safety.
Communication skills:
At the end of the course, the student should have acquired a command of the technical language to allow a proper and effective presentation of the results.
Prerequisites
It is suggested to have attended the courses of Mechanics of Structures and Computational Mechanics of Structures.
It is useful to have knowledge of MatLab software and familiarity with commercial software based on finite element method.
Course unit content
Single-degree-of-freedom systems. Free-vibration response (undamped and damped vibrations). Response to harmonic, periodic, impulsive and general dynamic loading. Damping. Elastic-plastic systems.
Multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Free vibrations (natural frequencies and modes), principal coordinates. Damping matrix. Uncoupled equations of motion. Mode-superposition procedure. Methods for the step-by-step integration of the equations of motion. Non-linear systems.
Distrubuted-parameter systems. Free vibrations of beams under bending.
Discretization methods: Rayleigh-Ritz method, finite element method.
Seismic loading. Definition of response spectrum.
Dynamics of frames under seismic loading. Modal analysis of plane and space frames.
Full programme
Bibliography
Recommended textbooks:
A. CARPINTERI: “Dinamica delle strutture”, Ed. Pitagora, Bologna, 1998.
CHOPRA, A.K., “Dynamics of Structures”, Prentice-Hall International Series in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics.
R.W. CLOUGH – J. PENZIEN: “Dynamics of structures”, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1993.
Teaching material available via Elly platform
Teaching methods
The course consists of theoretical lessons and practical exercises. For each topic, exercises are planned so that the student can deal with the resolution of the problems previously formulated in theoretical form.
The theoretical lessons and practical exercises are carried out on an electronic whiteboard together with slides, which are available on Elly platform.
Lessons will be delivered face-to-face in classrooms, but they will also be made accessible remotely in interactive mode (synchronous), via MS Teams platform.
Notes on electronic whiteboard produced by the teacher during lessons will be made available on Elly platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of student learning is formulated on the basis of a final oral exam.
The final exam is weighted as follows:
- 50% application of the theory to exercises (applying knowledge and understanding);
- 30% theoretical questions (knowledge and understanding);
- 20% clarity of presentation (communication skills).
Exam modalities could change, due to the SARS-CoV-2 emergency. Variations will be communicated in due time.
Other information
It is strongly recommended to attend lessons.
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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