After successful completion of the course, students are able to investigate stability problems of slender and thin-walled structures using analytical and numerical methods. This means

• they can estimate critical loading conditions that lead to a loss of structural stability
• they can describe the post-buckling behavior of structures
• they can investigate the influence of imperfections on the stability behavior

This lecture deals with stability problems occuring in

• beams
• plates
• shells

under conservative loading using analytical and numerical methods. The analytical equations for estimating critical loads will be derived and applied to practical problems. Furthermore, the finite element method will be used to numerically investigate stability problems in slender and thin-walled structures. The implications of non-conservative loads will be discussed theoretically.

The lecture will be held using a frontal presentation supplemented by explanations on the blackboard.

In the exercise part, students are guided to independently work on concrete examples. The results have to be summarized in a protocol.

The basis of the grading is the protocol written for the exercise part. In addition, the worked examples including the underlying theory are to be explained by the students in an approx. 20 minute submission/examination talk.

Mechanics 1

Fundamentals of Finite Element Methods