CE 536 Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis

The objective of a structural analysis is to determine all external reactions and internal forces of a structural model with known geometry, boundary conditions, member properties, and external loading. The demands placed on the structural members are then compared to the member capacity for various limit states in the iterative design process. Deflections of the structure are also used to check serviceability criteria.

For a statically determinate structural model, we can find all external reactions and internal forces using only equilibrium equations, e.g., finding reactions of a frame model by global equilibrium then drawing axial, shear, and moment diagrams. If a structural model is statically indeterminate, we must solve equilibrium, compatibility, and constitutive equations simultaneously in order to find the unique solution for equilibrium that also satisfies compatibility.

I work on problems related to modeling and nonlinear structural analysis. If these problems are relevant to a current professional project, feel free to reach out.