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Course Outlines

https://courseoutline.auckland.ac.nz/dco/course/CIVIL/746/1243

CIVIL 746 : Nonlinear Structural Analysis

Engineering
2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription
Nonlinear behaviour of structures and the formulation of elements to model such behaviour; solution
strategies; nonlinear material and section response; nonlinear dynamic analysis; nonlinear geometry;
application of nonlinear analysis in engineering practice. Research and critically compare modeling approaches
used for real buildings. Includes an independent research project involving nonlinear analysis of a real structure
as a ‘blind prediction’.

Course Overview
This course introduces the primary concepts of nonlinear structural analysis including numerical solution
algorithms for nonlinear systems and modelling of material and geometric nonlinearity in structural systems.
Throughout the semester, students are introduced to fundamental concepts behind nonlinear modelling, and
how these concepts are applied in nite element analysis. Each lecture period consists of a 'traditional' lecture,
followed by an open discussion where students can ask questions and apply what they have learned. Through
individual assignments and a nal project, students are given the opportunity to apply the learned nonlinear
modelling techniques to structural components and systems. In this course, applications to earthquake
engineering problems are emphasised.

As time permits, the following topics will be discussed (subject to change):

Nonlinear analysis – Standards and Guidelines
Solution strategies for nonlinear equilibrium equations
Nonlinear dynamic response of structures; time integration strategies
Nonlinear material and section response
Frame elements with nonlinear concentrated hinges
Fiber elements: Displacement- and Force-based formulation
Nonlinear geometric response of beams and frames
Collapse simulation
Applications to Performance-based Seismic Design and Assessment

Course Requirements
No pre-requisites or restrictions
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Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication

Graduate Profile: Master of Earthquake Engineering

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand the range of element formulations, nonlinear material and section response, and solution
strategies that can be implemented in nonlinear structural analysis. (Capability 3)
2. Assess and critically compare the accuracy and limitations of different modelling approaches. (Capability
4)
3. Demonstrate mastery in the implementation of nonlinear analysis models by conducting a blind prediction
of a real structure tested on a shake table. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments
Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 60% Individual Coursework
Project 40% Individual Coursework
2 types 100%

Assessment Type Learning Outcome

Addressed
1 2 3
Assignments   

Project   

Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in
each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect an average weekly workload comprising 3 hours of lectures, 5 hours of reading
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and thinking about the content, and 2 hours of work on assignments and/or report preparation.

Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled lectures.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including in-class demonstrations will also be
available as recordings.
The course will include office hours to be scheduled the first week of class.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes
reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering
Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a
tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with
summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty sta-student consultative
committees.

This course did not have a large enough enrolment for the SET evaluations to be released in 2023. Based on
discussions with students in the course, the following changes will be made for 2024:
1. A more robust library of python examples on will be provided on Google Colab to assist students with the
first two homework assignments.
2. The section analysis homework assignment will be reinstated, with python code snippets provided to assist
students.

Academic Integrity

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The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in
coursework as a serious academic oence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's
own work, reecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged
and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be
reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection
mechanisms.

Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the
wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to
raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written
form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible
and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the
Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is aected by illness or other personal circumstances outside
of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances signicantly aect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible
written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-
exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching
and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has
contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet
the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies.
You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer
to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

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The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process
and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The
University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other
students and sta so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit
Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-
and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for
enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the
right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or
other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements
may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short
notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon
as possible, through Canvas.

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