Advanced Structural Analysis

Structural analysis has often been approached using approximate methods such as the Finite Element Method (FEM) or series solutions, rather than analytical solutions. This book, however, begins by presenting the governing differential equations for various structural elements to be studied, and demonstrates how some simple structures can be solved directly using concepts of differential equation solutions and/or boundary value problems. The book presents and applies a novel methodology: the Green’s Functions Stiffness Method (GFSM), which is closely related to the traditional Stiffness Method (SM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM), and can be understood as a correction to the FEM. The GFSM merges the strengths of the SM with those of Green’s Functions. The book contains numerous examples and exercises that feature Python code solutions, and some of which also showcase the use of the FEM program OpenSees. By doing so, it provides a solid theoretical foundation and practical numerical implementation of the concepts.

• A displacement-based methodology for analysing structures is utilized (in contrast to the traditional internal forces methodology). In this approach, the internal forces fields are computed from the derivatives of the displacement fields
• The book allows readers to gain an in-depth understanding of the behaviour of structures under different loading conditions, leading to a more comprehensive analysis
• Every example and problem in the book will have its Python source code solution