OVERVIEW

The course in Structural Mechanics introduces students to the fundamental problems of structural equilibrium and the strength of materials, providing the theoretical basis for the analysis and design of structures.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge of statics and structural mechanics, with particular emphasis on the analysis of rigid-body equilibrium and the study of the mechanical behaviour of materials and simple structures. The subject is addressed in terms of both strength and deformability. Applications focus on the analysis and structural design of simple industrial design products and are based on the assessment of their load-bearing capacity and functionality, namely their ability to withstand external loads without experiencing structural failure or loss of functionality.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

a) perform the static analysis of constrained bodies (rigid bodies, simple beams, compound beam systems, and cables) subjected to external loads;

b) determine the stress and strain states of beam-type structural elements (simple beams and compound beam systems);

c) evaluate the geometric properties of the cross-sections of beam-type structural elements relevant to structural resistance;

d) carry out strength verification of materials for structures with assigned dimensions;

e) design the cross-section of a beam-type structural element so that the material remains within the allowable elastic stress limits.

PREREQUISITES

Any prerequisites, if required, as specified in the Degree Programme Regulations.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching methods consist of:

a) theoretical lectures (delivered either at the blackboard or via slide presentations);

b) applied exercises based on the theoretical content (carried out in class and/or assigned as homework).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course content includes:

a) a review of fundamental physics concepts (vectors, force, moment, Newton’s laws);

b) analysis of the motion of rigid bodies in space and in the plane in order to define their degrees of freedom;

c) study of constraints applied to bodies in order to prevent rigid-body motion;

d) static analysis of rigid bodies with isostatic constraints subjected to arbitrary external actions, through the application of the fundamental equations of statics;

e) study of the equilibrium of planar isostatic beam systems, including simple beams, compound beam systems, rigid-jointed beams, and systems with internal hinges;

f) analysis of deformable beams under the assumption of small elastic displacements;

g) introduction to geometrical properties of plane areas for determining the centroid coordinates of beam cross-sections and their principal moments of inertia;

h) analysis of the stress state in simple beams and compound beam systems for material strength verification and the design of resistant cross-sections.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teaching materials:

C. Boni, Lecture notes, available for download on AulaWeb.

Recommended textbooks:

A. Campanella, Introduction to Structural Mechanics for Design – Part I, Aracne, 2014, available at the Polytechnic Library – Architecture Campus.

L. Nunziante, L. Gambarotta, A. Tralli, Structural Mechanics, McGraw Hill, 2011, available at the Polytechnic Library – Architecture Campus.

A. Carpinteri, Structural Mechanics 1, Pitagora, 1992, available at the Polytechnic Library – Engineering Campus – Opera Pia.

E. Allen, W. Zalewski, Boston Structures Group, Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures, Wiley, 2011, available at the Polytechnic Library – Engineering Campus – Opera Pia.

Additional supporting materials:

F. Foce, Lecture notes on kinematics and statics of rigid systems, available on AulaWeb.

F. Foce, Lecture notes on mechanics of elastic systems, available on AulaWeb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The assessment consists of a WRITTEN TEST and an ORAL EXAMINATION.

Admission to the oral examination requires passing the written test with a minimum mark of 18/30. To pass the course, a minimum mark of 18/30 is required in both the written and oral examinations. The final grade takes into account the results of both the written and oral examinations. The written and oral examinations must be taken in the same examination session.

The written test consists of one or more applied exercises.

The oral examination consists of open-ended questions.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For the written test, the student is required to solve one or more applied exercises concerning: the static analysis of simple isostatic compound beam systems and the determination of their stress and/or strain state; the design of the cross-section or the strength verification of beam-type structural elements. Both the problem-solving approach adopted by the student and the achievement of the correct numerical result are assessed.

For the oral examination, the student is required to demonstrate understanding and recall of the concepts covered during lectures, by answering theoretical questions or qualitatively analysing practical examples proposed by the instructor.