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Finite Element Analysis of 3D Structures using Python
Build your own complete 3D structural analysis software in Python using the Direct Stiffness Method.
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to expand the direct stiffness method to full 12 degree of freedom beam elements in 3D space.
- You’ll have developed a complete 3D finite element analysis solver to simulate structures consisting of beam and axially loaded bar elements.
- You’ll have the skills to efficiently build detailed structural models in Blender and export these for analysis in your own Python solver.
LATEST TUTORIALS
Finite Element Analysis and Structural Behaviour Modelling Case Study
In this post we will use the Tintagel footbridge as a case study to explore structural behaviour and show how we can build up an understanding of the structure through analysis of increasingly refined finite element models models. We’ll apply this iterative approach by starting with a simple beam model and incrementally working towards a full 3D finite element model. Throughout this post we’ll make use of finite element analysis codes developed in DegreeTutors courses.
Calculating Beam Deflection from First Principles
In this tutorial we’re going to explore beam deflection and see how we can calculate the deflection of any beam from first principles using the differential equation of the deflection curve. We’ll work our way through a numerical example before discussing how we can use superposition along with tabulated formulae to speed up the process of calculating beam deflection.
Truss Analysis using the Direct Stiffness Method
In this tutorial we examine the Direct Stiffness Method and work our way through a detailed truss analysis. By the end of this complete introduction, you should understand the basic ideas behind why the method works, how to implement it for truss analysis and you should understand the power and scalability of the technique. Once understood, the direct stiffness method opens the door to structural analysis of large scale complex structures.
Understanding Structural Dynamics and Inertia
By the end of this post you’ll understand when and why a dynamic analysis is performed instead of a (usually more straightforward) static analysis. Although we typically encounter static loading, dynamic loads occur with sufficient frequency that we need to understand how to assess their influence on a structure. Typical forms of dynamic loading can include loading due to earthquakes, wind, vehicle or pedestrian traffic or wave loading on coastal or offshore structures.
ENGINEERING COURSES
Fundamentals of Structural Analysis
Get to grips with civil engineering structural analysis once and for all.
After completing this course…
- You will understand key concepts such as the moment of a force, static equilibrium and determinacy.
- You will be able to determine the support reactions for structures subject to a range of loading conditions.
- You will learn to use the Joint Resolution Method and Method of Sections to analyse pin-jointed truss structures.
Mastering Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams
Your complete roadmap to mastering these essential structural analysis skills.
After completing this course…
- You will be fully competent in drawing shear force and bending moment diagrams for statically determinate beams and frames.
- You will have a robust system of analysis that allows you to confidently tackle the analysis of any statically determinate structure.
- You will understand the relationship between external loading and the shear forces and bending moments they induce.
Shear Forces & Bending Moments: Analysis Bootcamp
Sharpen your civil engineering analysis skills with questions designed to test your understanding.
After completing this course…
- You will have a reliable procedure for correctly determining shear force and bending moment diagrams for statically determinate structures.
- You will be comfortable analysing both 1-dimensional beam and 2-dimensional frame structures.
- You will be able to utilise pre-existing pin-joints in structures to facilitate your analysis.
Indeterminate Structures & The Moment Distribution Method
Unlock indeterminate structures using the moment distribution structural analysis method.
After completing this course…
- You will have a deep understanding of how structures respond to loading.
- You will clearly understand the methods used to analyse statically indeterminate beams and frames.
- You will be able to analyse both non-sway and sway frames – essential when designing real world structures.
Moment Distribution Method: Analysis Bootcamp
Step up your structural analysis skills by working your way through these indeterminate structures.
After completing this course…
- You will have an even deeper understanding of how structures respond to loading.
- You will be comfortable determining shear force, bending moment and deflected shape diagrams.
- You will be able to analyse both non-sway and sway frames – essential when designing real world structures.
Fundamentals of Virtual Work for Civil Engineers
Level up your structural analysis skillset with these powerful Civil Engineering analysis techniques.
After completing this course…
- You will have a complete understanding of how concepts such as work, energy and elasticity combine to give us the Principle of Virtual Work.
- You will be able to use Virtual Work to calculate unknown nodal displacements in pin-jointed truss structures.
- You will be able to use Virtual Work to calculate internal forces in pin-jointed truss structures.
Mastering Virtual Work for Civil Engineering
Analyse complex beam and frame civil engineering structures using Virtual Work.
After completing this course…
- You will have a complete understanding of the Principle of Virtual Work and how it can be applied to bending behaviour.
- You will have robust, repeatable strategies to apply Virtual Work to beam and frame structures in bending.
- You will be able to use Virtual Work techniques to calculate unknown displacements in beams and frames.
Analysing Hybrid Indeterminate Civil Engineering Structures
Powerful techniques for analysing realistic civil engineering structures.
After completing this course…
- You will learn how to analysis complex and indeterminate structures using hand-analysis techniques.
- You will learn how to calculate deflections, member forces and bending moments in indeterminate structures.
- You will learn how the Principle of Superposition can be used to decipher and unlock the behaviour of complex structures.
Fundamentals of Engineering Structural Dynamics with Python
Leverage fundamental structural dynamics to build your own flexible numerical solutions in Python.
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to model dynamic behaviour using spring-mass-damper models and how to simulate free vibration behaviour.
- You’ll be able to model the influence of harmonic loading and how to characterise the transient and steady-state responses.
- You’ll be able to use Python to implement the Piecewise Exact Method to model any form of general dynamic loading.
The Direct Stiffness Method for Truss Analysis with Python
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to use the Direct Stiffness Method to build complete structural models that can be solved using Python.
- You’ll have your own analysis programme to identify displacements, reactions and internal member forces for any truss.
- You’ll understand how common models of elastic behaviour such as plane stress and plane strain apply to real-world structures.
Beam & Frame Analysis using the Direct Stiffness Method in Python
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to model beam elements that resist axial force, shear forces and bending moments within the Direct Stiffness Method.
- You’ll have your own analysis software that can generate shear force diagrams, bending moment diagrams, deflected shapes and more.
- You’ll understand how to model rotational pins within your structures, inter-nodal distributed loading and realistic flexible supports.
3D Space Frame Analysis using Python and Blender
Develop tools to model and analyse complex 3D space frame structures using Python.
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to apply the Direct Stiffness Method to solve 3D space frame structures using Python.
- You’ll have your own analysis programme to identify displacements, reactions and internal member forces for any 3D space frame.
- You’ll be able to use Blender, a powerful open source 3D modelling software to build, visualise and export your structural models.
Finite Element Analysis of 3D Structures using Python
Build your own complete 3D structural analysis software in Python using the Direct Stiffness Method
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to expand the direct stiffness method to full 12 degree of freedom beam elements in 3D space.
- You’ll have developed a complete 3D finite element analysis solver to simulate structures consisting of beam and axially loaded bar elements.
- You’ll have the skills to efficiently build detailed structural models in Blender and export these for analysis in your own Python solver.
What students say
Your Tutor
Hi, I’m Seán, the founder and lead tutor at DegreeTutors.com. I’m also a senior lecturer in Structural Engineering at the University of Exeter, a leading UK university. I’m a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. DegreeTutors is designed to support students and construction industry professionals in enhancing their engineering analysis and design capabilities.
Whether you want to sharpen up on the basics of constructing shear and moment diagrams or want to better understand how to analyse complex indeterminate structures (with or without a computer), by taking courses with me on DegreeTutors you’ll build the knowledge and skills you need.
DegreeTutors courses are designed to help you develop the intuition for structural behaviour that all good engineers need.
Dr Seán Carroll
B.Eng (Hons), M.Sc, Ph.D, CEng MIEI, FHEA
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