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INSTRUCTORS: 
Finley A. Charney, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE F.SEI
Justin D. Marshall, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE

Purpose and Background

This course focuses on analytical modeling of three‐dimensional building structures. Emphasis is placed on modeling the full structural system load path, including lateral load resisting elements, gravity‐only elements, diaphragms, and the soil foundation‐structure interface. Methods for including second order and dynamic effects are included. Powerful approaches for increasing the performance efficiency of structural systems utilizing a sensitivity analysis strategy are presented. All of the topics presented in the course are demonstrated by use of a multi‐story building modeled in steel and in reinforced concrete. Although the course uses the commercial software products SAP 2000 and ETABS (from Computers and Structures, Inc.), it is not anticipated that students in the course will be required to have licenses for the software. However, it is possible that no‐cost short‐term licenses can be acquired for the duration of the course.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the fundamental concepts of structural analysis in terms of equilibrium, compatibility, and stress‐strain (constitutive) relationships
• Compare and contrast the stiffness method and the finite element method of analysis
• List and describe the advantages of top‐down 3‐D modeling of structures
• Identify the sources of deformation in the structural elements and explain how the elements should be modeled
• Explain the importance of and apply the correct method of modeling of diaphragms
• Explain the importance of and apply the correct method of modeling the soil‐foundation‐structure interface (SFSI)
• Apply several different calculation methods for validating the accuracy of the computed results
• Apply multiple modeling approaches to the analysis of a steel and a concrete building
• Describe methods to include second‐order effects in structural analysis
• Increase the efficiency of a building structural system through numerical sensitivity analyses
• Describe the steps and required modeling features for constructing a model and performing a dynamic analysis of a building structure
• Apply advanced modeling tools for the analysis of buildings under static and dynamic loads

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Achievement of the learning outcomes by attendees will be assessed through (3) exams.

Who Should Attend?

• Structural and construction engineers who analyze, design, and erect building structures
• Structural and construction engineers working in consulting firms
• Structural and construction engineers working in industry
• Structural and construction engineers working for government agencies
• Structural and construction engineers working in the U.S. Corps of Engineers
• Building code officials
• Educators

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This course is worth 2.4 CEUs/24 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete (3) exams and receive a passing score of 70% or higher.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]

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Course Outline

Week 1: Primitive Elements
Course Introduction & Week Introduction
Structural Analysis: A Brief History
Modeling Objectives
Learning Exercise - Ingredients in Structural Engineering
Equilibrium, Compatibility and Constitutive Relationships
Det erminate and Indeterminate Structural Analysis
Computerized Structural Analysis
Learning Exercise - Displacement Method, Force Method and Computerized Structural Analysis
Conclusion

Week 2: Overview of the finite element method (frame, shell, and membrane elements)
Introduction
Units, Global and Local Coordinate Systems and Boundary Conditions
Units, Global and Local Coordinate Systems
Truss and Frame Elements
Membrane, Plate and Shell Elements
Learning Exercise - Mix and Match Element Types
Nodal, Element and Structure Output
Analysis Output in Structural Design
Learning Exercise - Mix and Match Output
Conclusion

Week 3: 3-D computer modeling of building structures
Introduction
Underlying Modeling Assumptions Part 1
Underlying Modeling Assumptions Part 2
Motivation for 3D modeling
Global and Local Coordinate Systems
Learning Exercise
Model Components: Soil, Foundation, Structure (Detailed concepts provided in Week 6)
Top-Down Modeling Concepts
Essential Features of the Structure Model
for Static and Dynamic Analysis
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 4: Boundary conditions, constraints conditions, modeling of structural elements and connections
Introduction
Degrees of Freedom and Boundary Restraints
Constraint Conditions
Sources of Elastic Deformation
Learning Exercise
Accounting for Cracking in Concrete Structures and Composite Action in Steel Structures
Accounting for Beam-Column Joint Deformations
Load Patterns, Load Cases, and Load Combinations
Learning Exercise
Conclusion
Exam: Weeks 1-4

Week 5: Modeling the diaphragms (flexible, semi-rigid, rigid)
Introduction
Basic Concepts of Floor and Roof Diaphragms
Basic Diaphragm Modeling Concepts:
Flexible, Semirigid, and Rigid
Modeling Diaphragms as Rigid
Learning Exercise
Modeling Diaphragms as Semirigid using Shell and Membrane Elements
Modeling Flexible Diaphragms
Analysis of a Structure with Different Diaphragms Models and Comparison of Results
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 6: Soil-Foundation-Structure Interaction
Introduction
What is Soil-Structure Interaction?
Effect of Soil-Structure Interaction on Building Structures
Inertial SSI
Learning Exercise - SSI Scenarios
Kinematic Interactions
Methods of SSI in Structural Analysis
Example Application of SSI in Structural Analysis
Learning Exercise - Case Study 1
Conclusion

Week 7: Approaches for validation of computed response
Introduction
Importance of Validating Computed Response
Approximate Structural Analysis of Indeterminate Beams and Trusses
Approximate Structural Analysis of Frames
Learning Exercise
Start Simple Move to Complex
Upper Bound Lower Bound Modeling
Application of Checking a Complex Model with Approximate Calculations
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 8: Detailed case study: Analysis of multi-story buildings under loads
Introduction
Description of the Structure and Developing a Modeling Plan
Modeling of the Gravity System and the Foundation
Modeling the Lateral System and the Diaphragms
Learning Exercise
Applying Loads
Running the Analysis and Verifying the Output
Impact of Diaphragm Modeling and Soil Structure Interaction
Learning Exercise
Conclusion
Exam: Weeks 4-8

Week 9: Second order effects and buckling analysis
Introduction
Overview of Stability Issues
2D and 3D P-Delta Effects
Modeling Structures to Include P-Delta Effects
Learning Exercise
Conforming with requirements within ACI 318
Conforming with Requirements in AISC 360
Other Elastic Stability Considerations
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 10: Sensitivity analysis and optimization using virtual work
Introduction
Review of Principle of Virtual Work
Sources of Elastic Deformation
Sensitivity Indices and Optimization
Learning Exercise
Damage Control in Structures
Drift Damage Indices and Drift Damage Limits
Examples
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 11: Structural Dynamics
Introduction
Single Degree of Freedom Structural Dynamics
Multi Degree of Freedom Structural Dynamics
Mass and Damping
Learning Exercise
Modal Analysis
Linear Dynamic Analysis I
Linear Dynamic Analysis II
Learning Exercise
Conclusion

Week 12: Topics related to seismic and wind load effects
Introduction
Introduction to Modeling for Wind and Seismic Loads
Limit States and Performance Criteria
Modeling System Mass and Damping
Learning Exercise
Overview of Ductility Demands for Wind and Seismic
Special Modeling Requirements for Wind Loads
Special Modeling Requirements for Seismic Loads
Learning Exercise - Case Study 2
Conclusion
Exam: Weeks 9-12