Building science

Learning outcomes

The course has been recently devised and developed according to the updated University Ministry reccomandations. Contents have been tailored following the new trends arising in modern engineering, aiming to completeness and thoroughness. The course provides the basic foundations for proper design and safety assessment of structures.

Expected learning outcomes

1. Knowledge and understanding.
The student must learn the concepts and fundamental issues of solid mechanics. In other words, he must understand and assimilate the concepts of deformation state, the stress state and constitutive laws. Likewise, the student must assimilate the basics of structural mechanics, such as the definition of a beam, the methods for the kinematic and static structural analysis.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student must be able to apply the concepts of solid mechanics, in particular, he must be able to determine any scalar component of the deformation and stress in a three-dimensional body in any way loaded. As for the mechanics of structures, the student must be able to classify a labile, isostatic and hyperstatic structure. For isostatic structures, using the Cardinal equations of Static, he must know how to calculate the reactions and interactions of constraints, and must be able to determine the diagrams of the internal actions. Particular emphasis is given to the correct plotting diagrams of bending moment and shear force. He should also be able to apply the PLV for solving hyperstatic structures. Once solved structures, it is then necessary to know how to apply various methods of checking safety.

3. Making judgments
Ability to assess and compare independently the engineering solutions of a problem with limited complexity.

4. Communication skills
Ability to organize themselves into working groups. Ability to communicate effectively in written and / or oral in English.

5. Learning skills
Ability to catalog, schematize and elaborate the knowledge gained.

Course contents

The course consists of two parts: the first devoted to Solid Mechanics and the second to Structural Mechanics. Therefore, strain, stress and constitutive laws are dealt with within the first half, whereas constraints, kinematical and statical analysis of structures take place in the second half. Saint Venant problems and the principle of virtual works complete the course.

Prerequisites

Previous courses are not compellent. Nonetheless, basic knowledges in calculus, algebra and rational mechanics are advised

Reading/Bibliography

Introduzione alla Meccanica delle Strutture. Angelo Marcello Tarantino. Pitagora Editrice Bologna, 2009, pp.252

Teaching methods

The lessons are of the frontal type and a large number of practical exercises are held in classroom. The tutoring is done regularly, even with the help of teaching assistants. Occasionally, seminars are organized and taught by external academics or visiting professors

Assessment methods

The exam will take place at the end of the course according to the official exam schedule. The assessment of learning is expressed by a first written question, which generally involves the resolution of a hyperstatic structure or the calculation of displacements by means of the PLV. If the student solves satisfactorily the first question, then he passes to the second part of the exam, which has an oral modality. The texts of the written tests are different from each other and the correction takes place immediately after delivery. The time allowed for the written test is about one hour, while the oral test takes about half an hour. All the topics covered during the course are part of the oral exam. Single applications can relate illustration of concepts, but also of analytical proofs. For the attribution of marks, the written and oral tests have the same weight. No material is recommended to take the written test, however the student can use texts, handouts and calculators

The written test texts are different from each other and are corrected immediately after submission.
The written exam lasts approximately one hour, while the oral exam lasts approximately half an hour. The oral exam covers all topics covered during the course.

Individual questions may involve the illustration of concepts, but also analytical proofs of statements. For grade allocation, the written and oral exams have equal weight.

No material is recommended for the written test, however students can use texts, handouts and calculators.