ME EN 504
(Me En-CE En) Computer Structural Analysis and Optimization
Mechanical Engineering
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering
Course Description
Matrix stiffness method for 1D, 2D, and 3D skeletal structure classes. Implementing the matrix stiffness method as a computer program. Nonlinear second-order structural analysis. Structural optimization techniques including stress-ratio method, gradient-based methods, and genetic algorithms.
When Taught
Contact Department
Grade Rule
Grade Rule 8: A, B, C, D, E, I (Standard grade rule)
Min
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
0
Title
Execute Structural Software
Learning Outcome
Prepare input for linear analysis, nonlinear pushover analysis, gradient-based size optimization, and genetic-based size/shape/topology optimization programs for plane frames.
Title
Stress Ratio and Exhaustive Search
Learning Outcome
Determine the number of FLOPS and perform the calculations for stress ratio optimization and exhaustive search, and construct design space plots if possible.
Title
Matrix Vector Operations
Learning Outcome
Determine the number of FLOPS and perform the calculations for matrix-vector operations including triangularization, backsubstitution, Newton-Raphson iteration, and inverse iteration.
Title
Member Stiffness and Force
Learning Outcome
Construct global and local member stiffness matrices and force vectors for any skeletal class and any distributed loading.
Title
Structure Stiffness and Force
Learning Outcome
Construct structure matrices and vectors for both force and support displacement loads exploiting symmetry/antisymmetry and deformation assumptions.
Title
Second Order Analysis
Learning Outcome
Derive first/second order equilibrium/compatibility equations, buckling loads/displacements, and structure elastic/geometric stiffness matrices for small trusses and single-member frames.
Title
Genetic Algorithms
Learning Outcome
Determine the number of FLOPS and perform the calculations for genetic algorithms with penalty/segregation fitness, tournament/roulette selection, point/uniform/blend crossover, dynamic mutation, and ranking/scoring/maximin fitness.
Title
Optimality Criteria Algorithms
Learning Outcome
Determine the number of FLOPS and perform the calculations for finite difference / virtual work sensitivity analysis, Kuhn-Tucker condition evaluation, and optimality criteria algorithm.
Title
Member Results
Learning Outcome
Construct member displacement vectors and free-body diagrams for any skeletal class.
Title
Analysis Program Organization
Learning Outcome
Write down the basic organization and calling structure of a structural analysis program, and complete the pseudo-code for structure level routines.
