OVERVIEW

The course presents the fundamental theoretical principles of solid, structural, and material mechanics, with particular attention to aspects related to equilibrium, deformability, and structural strength. The aim is to provide students with the mechanical operating principles of beams and trusses, and the methodological tools needed to interpret and evaluate the static response of structures in general. Through the study of basic mechanical models, students acquire the knowledge necessary for the analysis and correct sizing of simple systems and their assemblies.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course aims to provide students with the fundamentals of construction science, with a focus on the resistance of various materials, as well as on the mechanics of solids and structures.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide fundamental concepts of equilibrium, deformability, and structural strength, necessary for understanding the basic aspects of structural design. The primary objective is to develop the ability to represent statically determinate systems and determine their equilibrium conditions in accordance with the principles of rigid system statics. The second objective is to acquire methodologies for describing the mechanical behavior of elastic systems, including the principles for controlling resistance and deformability in relation to the materials used. To achieve these objectives, significant structural examples will be examined. By the end of the course, students will have mastered the fundamentals of material strength and structural mechanics, described the behavior of rigid bodies under the action of external and internal forces, described the behavior of elastic structures from the perspective of stress and deformation analysis, and analyzed and solved structural analysis problems.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of mathematical analysis, geometry, and linear algebra.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching is delivered through theoretical lectures and practical exercises, conducted in classroom. Although students are not required to attend classes, attendance is strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Review of geometry and linear algebra
   • Theory of vectors
   • Matrix algebra
   • Systems of linear equations
   • Derivatives and integrals
      
2. Basics of rigid body kinematics
   • Rigid displacements
   • Restraints
      
3. Statics of rigid bodies
   • Systems of forces
   • Restraints
   • The static problem
   • Structural hierarchy
   • Internal forces
   • Solution methods for the static problem in statically determinate systems
      
4. Truss systems
   • General definitions
   • Node method and Ritter’s section method
      
5. Basics of systems with concentrated elasticity
   • Series and parallel arrangement of elastic deformable elements
   • Analysis of statically indeterminate systems (settlements and restraints)
      
6. Material behavior
   • Basics of Cauchy continuum
   • Strains
   • Stresses
   • Constitutive laws
   • Strength criteria
      
7. Cross-section properties
   • Area, static moments, and centroid
   • Moments of inertia, and transport and rotation formulas
   • Principal moments and central inertia ellipse
      
8. Beam theory
   • Beam kinematics
   • Beam statics
   • Constitutive law
   • Elastic line equation
   • Solution of statically indeterminate problems using the elastic line equation
      
9. Elementary stress states in beams
   • Tension and compression
   • Pure bending
   • Combined axial load and bending, and central core of inertia
   • Shear
   • Torsion
      
10. Stability of equilibrium
    • Euler’s linear theory
    • Eulerian critical load
    • Omega method

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PAOLO DI RE (President)

ANDREA BACIGALUPO

MARCO LEPIDI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Week of February 23, 2026

Class schedule: https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11431/studenti-orario

Class schedule

STRUCTURAL MECHANICS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam includes a written test and an oral test.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exams are designed to assess the student's ability to solve applied problems related to the mechanical behavior of structures.

The written exam consists of solving application examples that simulate real-world structural problems. The oral exam consists of a discussion of the results of the written exam and a deepening of the student's theoretical knowledge. A successful written exam is required for admission to the oral exam.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a valid physical or learning disability certification and wishing to benefit from compensatory tools for lessons and exams must submit a request using the digital service available on the website https://unige.it/studenti-con-disabilita.