2021 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Undergraduate major in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Anil Wijeyewickrema
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 7-8 Thu (M112)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CVE.A311
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The course is designed for students to advance from the analysis of statically determinate structures, elastic deflection of structures and analysis of statically indeterminate structures studied in Structural Mechanics I and Structural Mechanics II, to Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis.
Students learn the basics of matrix structural analysis and will also learn how to use a structural analysis software program.
Course description and aims
By completing this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand flexibility-stiffness transformations.
2) Understand the framework element stiffness matrix.
3) Understand coordinate transformations.
4) Solve problems with loads between nodal points.
Keywords
coordinate transformations, equivalent nodal loads, flexibility, stiffness,
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
A part of a class is devoted to fundamentals and the rest to applications. To allow students to have a good understanding of the course contents and practical applications, problems related to the contents of this course are given as homework assignments. Solutions to homework assignments are reviewed in the class.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Stiffness analysis of frames – I – stress-strain relationships, work and energy, reciprocity | Review sections 4.1-4.3 of textbook. |
| Class 2 | Stiffness analysis of frames – I - Flexibility-stiffness transformations | Review section 4.4 of textbook. |
| Class 3 | Stiffness analysis of frames – I - Framework element stiffness matrix | Review section 4.5 of textbook. Computer Assignment 01: Statically determinate truss. |
| Class 4 | Stiffness analysis of frames – I - Framework element stiffness matrix | Review section 4.5 of textbook. |
| Class 5 | Stiffness analysis of frames – II - Coordinate transformations | Review section 5.1 of textbook. Computer Assignment 02: Statically indeterminate truss. |
| Class 6 | Stiffness analysis of frames – II - Coordinate transformations | Review section 5.1 of textbook. |
| Class 7 | Stiffness analysis of frames – II - Loads between nodal points | Review section 5.2 of textbook. Computer Assignment 03: Statically indeterminate frame. |
| Class 8 | Final Exam |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
McGuire, W., Gallagher, R. H. and Ziemian, 2000, Matrix Structural Analysis, 2nd edition, John Wiley, New York, USA.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Class notes are available in the Instructor’s HP.
Kassimali, A., 2012, Matrix Analysis of Structures, 2nd edition, Cengage Learning, Connecticut, USA.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students' knowledge of matrix structural analysis and their ability to apply them to problems will be assessed.
Midterm exam 30%, Final exam 50%, exercise problems 20%.
Related courses
- ARC.S203 ： Structural Mechanics I
- ARC.S305 ： Structural Mechanics II
Prerequisites
Structural Mechanics I, Structural Mechanics II