C&ENVENG 4111 - Structural Dynamics & Applications

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2016

This course aims to equip students with knowledge in structural dynamics, with particular emphasis on the building and bridge structures. Topics include single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems, response to harmonic loading, response to impulsive transient loading, numerical integration, element stiffness, mass and damping matrices, multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems, classical and non-classical damping, distributed parameter systems, eignevalue problems, modal analysis and system identification.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code C&ENVENG 4111
    Course Structural Dynamics & Applications
    Coordinating Unit School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Eng
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge MATHS 1012, C&ENVENG 3001
    Restrictions Available to BE (Civil & Struct), BE (Architectural) and associated double degrees only
    Course Description This course aims to equip students with knowledge in structural dynamics, with particular emphasis on the building and bridge structures. Topics include single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems, response to harmonic loading, response to impulsive transient loading, numerical integration, element stiffness, mass and damping matrices, multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems, classical and non-classical damping, distributed parameter systems, eignevalue problems, modal analysis and system identification.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Alex Ching-Tai Ng

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Recognise physical phenomenon in the context of structural vibration.
    2. Identify and define key concepts related to structural dynamics, such as natural frequencies, modeshapes, damping and vibration characteristics of structures.
    3. Formulate the equation of motion for dynamics analysis of structures.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding the assumptions and limitations of the structural dynamics theories.
    5. Develop competence in using computer programming skill (e.g. Matlab) to perform modelling and dynamic analysis of structural systems.
    6. Design structures with the consideration of structural dynamics.
    7. Solve engineering problems in the context of structural dynamics.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    5-8
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    5-8
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    5-8
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    5,6,8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Powerpoint slides are available on MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    Textbook:
    Dynamics of Structures” by Ray W. Clough and Joseph Penzien, Computers & Structures, Inc., 2003.

    References:
    Structural Dynamics – Theory and Computation” by Mario Paz, 1997.

    Dynamics of Structures – Theory and Applications to Earthquake Engineering” by Anilk. Chopra, Prentice-Hall, 2007.
    Online Learning
    All course material including lecture slides, assignments and group project will be made available on MyUni throughout the semester.

    MyUni will be used to support the in-class teaching. The Discussion Board in MyUni will provide additional support for students to have discussions related to this course. It is strongly recommended that students use the Discussion Board.

    The lecturers will typically be recorded but they should be consdiered complementary to, rather than a substitute for, attendance. In the event of technical failure it will be the student's responsibility to find an alternative source of information.

    Course announcements will be proivded on MyUni regularly throughout the course. It is students' responsibility to check MyUni regularly.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Teaching for this class will consist primarily of lectures where the fundamental theory will be presented, followed by examples to illustrate how the theory can be applied to solve structural dynamics problems. Students will develop their understanding of the course content through reading of the textbook, practice problem solving through the tutorial questions and attendance at lectures where problem solving strategies are presented and discussed.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    There is 3 hours contact study each week in the semester. It is expected that students will spend another 6 hours per week outside of class studying the material and practising their problem solving
    with examples from the textbook.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Lecture Topics:
    1. Fundamental concept
    2. Free vibration of SDOF systems
    3. Forced vibration of SDOF systems
    4. Free vibration of MDOF shear buildings
    5. Forced vibration of MDOF shear buildings
    6. Beam and frame MDOF systems
    7. Applications of structural dynamics

    Note: These are planned topics in the course. Some topics may be changed, added or deleted as appropriate.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment % Group/Individual
    Assignment 1 3 Individual
    Assignment 2 3 Individual
    Assignment 3 3 Individual
    Assignment 4 3 Individual
    Assignment 5 3 Individual
    Quiz 10 Individual
    Group Project 15 Group
    Final Examination 60 Individual

    The overall assessment schedule is given in the table above. The submission time for all assessment tasks in this course is 4pm on the due date, unless otherwise specified.

    Assignments:
    There will be five assignments throughout the course, each worth 3% of your final mark. These assignments will be submitted, marked and returned regularly throughout the semester. Marks on these assignments will make up 15% of the final subject mark.

    Quiz:
    There will be one Test during the semester, worth 10% of your final mark. The quiz will be closed book, closed note and run under examination conditions. The quiz will take place in Week 7 during the lecture and it will base on the topic covered in the first six weeks.

    Group Project:
    Students have to work in a group of 2-3 for a project. The project will have a worth of 15% where a computer program is to be developed in MATLAB for dynamic analysis and design of structures. The program is to be validated with specific numerical examples and used to carry dynamic analysis. A marking rubric will be provided on MyUni and it is required to attach the marking rubric at the end of the report. Each group have to produce one report for the projects and the developed program needs to be submitted as well. The due date for the report and program submission is on Friday of Week 13.

    Final Examination:
    The final examination (summative) will cover all the materials covered during the semester and contribute towards 60% of the final mark  for the subject.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    A hurdle of 40% is in place for the final exam. If the exam hurdle is not met students will receive a course result of  the lesser of their  calculated grade and the nominal grade of 45 (Fail). An additional assessment exam will be available to eligible students.  Students should refer to the Modified arrangements for coursework assessment policy for eligibility criteria.

    Requests for exemption from coursework components will only be considered when presented on an Exemption from Attendance Form. All exemption requests must be made by the end of Week 3 of Semester. Exemptions will not be considered for exams or in-class quizzes.

    Intelligible English expression (for all assessments) and legible hand-writing (for exam) are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process, and may affect marks.

    This course includes peer assessment for the tasks undertaken within groups. Further detail of the peer assessment is contained on MyUni. To maintain the integrity of the assessment task(s) there is a requirement that all students within a group contribute to each assessment task. Where there is evidence that group members have not sufficiently contributed to a group assessment task, the Academic Honesty policy may be applied.
    Assessment Detail
    Further details of each assessment will be provided in lectures and/or via MyUni well before the due date.
    Submission
    Digital submissions should be submitted by the appropriate MyUni portal for the particular assessment. Further information will be provided through the course’s MyUni website.

    Late submissions will only be accepted for the projects. There will be a loss of 10% of the marks  obtained if the submission is less than 24h late, 20% if the submission is between 24 and 48h late and so on. Extensions will only be granted in special circumstances (e.g. illness) and must be sought for each assessment task individually. Extensions will not be granted less than 24h before the deadline for a given task, with the exception of a medical certificate.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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