CIVE202 – Structural Behaviour and Modelling – Coursework 2
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School of Engineering
COURSEWORK BRIEFING SHEET
COURSE MODULE: CIVE202 – Structural Behaviour and Modelling
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: General analysis and analyses prediction and
checking.
Discipline: Year 2 – Civil Engineering programmes – BEng/MEng
Lecturers responsible: Dr G Beattie
Date set: Friday 17th November 2017
Required dates of submission: Friday 15th December 2017
Penalty Scheme for late submission: University Standard Scheme.
Aims:
At the end of the assignment a student should be able to:
• Produce simple analysis models using GSA and use qualitative understanding to check
models.
• Use GSA to solve simple structural problems.
• Identify errors and check models.
• Produce a professional report.
CIVE202 – Structural Behaviour and Modelling – Coursework 2
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Instructions
1. Below are two 2D plane frame structures (FRAME 1 and 2):
You are required (before completing any analysis by hand or using GSA) to qualitatively
draw the deflected shape, bending moment, shear force and axial force diagrams for each
structure (FRAME 1 and 2).
You should then change the supports from encastre to pin supports and repeat the same
qualitative exercise described above.
Once you have completed the above – create an analysis model of each structure (FRAME 1
and 2) and analyse them using GSA. Compare your qualitative results with those from GSA
and describe and explain any differences observed. Do not worry if your qualitative results
differ (that is expected) – the important thing is to reason why to demonstrate learning.
Note: you are free to choose the length of elements L1 and L2 (suggest between 5 and
10m).
Show how you have checked your GSA models for both frames and report on this.
For FRAME 1 and 2 determine what value of P3 and P4 will give you a horizontal deflections
dx = 10mm and vertical deflection dz = 15mm (see FRAME 1 Fig. b for reference). Note that
both forces are applied simultaneously.
When completed –move force P4 to the mid-point of the column on the right hand side. Rerun
the analysis with the loads you have determined to give the correct displacements in the
previous step. Are your overall displacements different?, if not explain why.
In your final report (see below) you are expected to produce a front page for each model
specifying the geometry you have chosen
FRAME 1 (Fig. a)
Encastre Encastre
254x146x31UB
356x171x45UB
L1
L2
P1 = 10kN
0.5L1
0.5L2
P2 = 5kN
CIVE202 – Structural Behaviour and Modelling – Coursework 2
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FRAME 1 (Fig. b)
FRAME 2
For FRAME 2, describe the effect that the changed geometry (sloping column) has on the
deflection characteristics when compared to FRAME 1?
For both frames, describe other changes you could make to the structures to make them
stiffer (i.e. less vertical and horizontal deflection – assume that the global geometry and
loading cannot change)
2. Build and run a 3D GSA model of a simple Portal Frame building (as shown below). If you
are unsure of what a Portal Frame is carry out some research to understand what they are and
when and why they are used (TIP: look up at the structure when you are next in a large
supermarket).
Encastre Encastre
P3 =?
0.5L1
P4 = ?
dx = 10mm
dz = 15mm
Encastre
Pin
254x146x31UB
356x171x45UB
L1
L2
P1 = 10kN
0.5L1
0.5L2
P2 = 5kN
60°
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SIMPLE PORTAL FRAME BUILDING
You are free to choose the overall dimensions and element sizes for this exercise.
For the bracing you can choose any configuration you wish – i.e. you may use K bracing (as currently
shown in the roof) or Cross-Bracing (as currently shown in the wall) – which do you think is more
efficient?
The example above uses the following:
• Eaves Height 5.0m
• Ridge Rise 1.5m
• Total Span 20.0m
• Number of bays 10
Note:
• Purlin (research what these are if you do not know) spacing must not exceed 2m. You may apply
roof loads as a UDL – however, with all simplifications, whichever way you apply the loads, say
why in your report – it must be justified as an approximation of physical reality.
• The stiffness of the frame in the transverse direction will be governed by the orientation of the
columns (major axis vs minor axis) so ensure it’s orientated in the right direction!
You will load your structure as follows:
General – Gravity
Roof action – purlins and sheeting (permanent) 0.5 kN/m2
– services (permanent) 0.1 kN/m2
– Roof imposed load (variable) 0.6 kN/m2
Side walls – wind (on long side only) 1.4 kN/m2
Note: wind loading is combined for both faces and only needs to be applied to one face
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Load cases:
In a real building there are many load combinations to check. For this exercise use the following but
think about what combinations of load might create the most critical structural effects:
Deflection (SLS) 1.0 permanent + 1.0 variable (roof)
1.0 permanent + 1.0 Wind (side)
The following rules must be observed (i.e. choose your structural members to satisfy):
• Eaves deflections do not exceed height/350 (horizontal deflection)
• Ridge deflection does not exceed span/250 (vertical deflection)
Submission requirements:
Question 1
• For section 1, you have been asked to complete a number of tasks, explain and answer a number
of questions. You should ensure that your report includes all items asked for. The report should
form section one of your overall report and have a clear introduction. It may be helpful to split the
questions and report on it in sections. However, you have the freedom to format it as you wish.
Please ensure for this question that you have read the question and provided all information
required to demonstrate all tasks have been completed.
Question 2
• For question 2, your work for this exercise should be presented as a separate section within your
overall report (see below) to a format of your choice. Marks will be allocated for presentation of
the work. The report should include:
o Clear calculations to show how you have calculated the loads to apply to the model
elements – use sketches if necessary.
o A GSA model – name it as your name (i.e. gbeattie.gwb) and submit by uploading to
vital. If we do not receive a model from you or it is not named correctly you will
receive zero marks for it. We look at GSA models to check it’s your own work.
• A deflection plot clearly showing that deformations are within tolerance (TIP: use arrow vectors
or contour plots to do this – we can show you this in class).
• A clear hand calculation to show that the total downward loads you are applying to the model are
equal to the upward reactions from GSA (TIP: remember vertical equilibrium from Y1 i.e. sum of
vertical forces = zero).
• A step by step explanation of how you built the model.
• Please ensure there is a section that clearly demonstrates that the output you have obtained from
this analysis is correct – clearly show what you were anticipating and clearly show and describe
what checks you have made to the analysis.
