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Module Catalogue

ES1A4-15 Statics and Structures

Department
School of Engineering
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
Elia Gironacci
Credit value
15
Module duration
24 weeks
Assessment
30% coursework, 70% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

ES1A4-15 Statics and Structures

Module web page

Module aims

The aim of this module is to build fundamental knowledge of statics and behaviour of structures. This will provide the knowledge required for further study in the design and analysis of structures from buildings to bridges, tunnels and other infrastructures. The module will increase the students’ ability with mathematical analysis and in particular its application to solving problems in structures. The module will further help in developing experimental skills and awareness of health and safety issues applicable to working in a supervised laboratory.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Part A: Equilibrium and Reactions

  1. Forces
  2. Moments
  3. Friction
  4. Hydrostatic pressure
  5. Equilibrium
  6. Support conditions
  7. Reactions
    Part B: Truss structures
  8. Basic principles; Building with triangles
  9. Method of joints
  10. Method of sections
    Part C: Statically determinate beams and frames
  11. Free body diagrams
  12. Internal forces and moments in statically determinate beams
  13. Internal forces in statically determinate frames
    Part D: Deformation of statically determinate beams
  14. Introduction to Bending of elastic beams (elastic curve; moment-curvature relation)
  15. Introduction to Bernoulli beam theory
    Part E: Stresses and Strains
  16. Stress
  17. Strain
  18. Stress and strain transformations
  19. Principal stresses and strains in a plane
  20. Mohr’s circle
    Part F: Bending, Shear and Torsion of beams
  21. Stresses and strains
  22. Cross-section analysis (neutral axis; second moment of area; deflection line)
    Part G: Elastic buckling, Failure criteria (Tresca, von Mises, Mohr) and Design of structural components

The module will include laboratory exercises.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate experimental skills.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic theory, concepts and methodology necessary to solve problems related to structures under static loading.
  • Make structured assumptions to simplify and thus model real-life civil engineering problems.
  • Become familiar with mathematical analysis and its application to solving engineering problems related to the behaviour of structures under static loading.
  • Record and interpret the results of observed practical experiments.
  • Show awareness of health and safety issues applicable to working in a supervised laboratory.

Indicative reading list

Bedford, A. & Fowler, W., 2003, "Engineering Mechanics: Statics & Dynamics Principles", Prentice-Hall. ISBN 9780130082091.
Cain, J.A. & Hulse, R., 2000, "Structural Mechanics", 2nd Ed., Palgrave Macmillan.
ISBN 978-0333804575
Hibbeler, R.C., 2014, “Statics and Mechanics of Materials”, 4th Ed., Pearson Prentice Hall.
ISBN-13: 978-0133451603.
Hibbeler, R.C., 2017, “Statics and Mechanics of Materials”, 5th Ed., Pearson Prentice Hall.
ISBN-13: 978-1292177915.
Krenk, S. & HØgsberg, J., 2013, “Statics and Mechanics of Structures”. ISBN: 978-94-007-6112-4.

Subject specific skills

  1. Solve fundamental engineering problems using numerical and qualitative methods
  2. Apply fundamental concepts to carry experiments and record results
  3. Knowledge and understanding of risk issues, including health & safety, and risk assessment

Transferable skills

  1. Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize solutions
  2. Apply problem solving skills, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities
  3. Communicate (written and oral; to technical and non-technical audiences) and work with others

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 17 sessions of 1 hour (11%)
Practical classes 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Other activity 13 hours (9%)
Private study 110 hours (73%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

110 hours guided independent learning (including VLE use and support from Employer)

Other activity description

2 hours of online tutorials (supporting pre-reading)
7 hours of example classes
2 hours of revision lectures
2x1 hour of computer-based formative test

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Written laboratory report 30% Yes (extension)

Written laboratory report (6 pages)
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Online Examination 70% No

QMP

~Platforms - AEP,QMP

  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
  • Students may use a calculator
  • Engineering Data Book 8th Edition
  • Graph paper
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment
  • Model solutions to questions for exam preparation.
  • Support through advice and feedback hours.
  • Written feedback on marked laboratory report.
  • Cohort-level feedback on computer-based test.
  • Cohort-level feedback on written examination.

Past exam papers for ES1A4

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of DESA-H221 Undergraduate Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (Non-integrated Degree Apprenticeship)