M.Sc. - Learning Activities 2018: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Nonlinear Analysis of Structures: Seismic Response of RC Bridges - Blind Prediction

April 23rd to 27th and Sept. 3rd to 7th, 2018 at University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Adressed topics:

Elastic and nonlinear analysis of structures
Basic principles of simplified nonlinear pushover based seismic analysis of RC bridges
Basic advantages and deficiencies of simplified nonlinear analysis
Basic engineering models, which are typically used for the nonlinear seismic analysis of bridges
Basic requirements of modern standards for the seismic design of RC bridges, with an emphasis to Eurocode standards
State of the art software for the nonlinear analysis of structures

Principle time schedule

Kick-off meeting from April 23rd to 27th, 2018 at Universityof Ljubljana, Slovenia

The aim of it will be:

Introduction into the project itself as well as the individual objectives;
Composition of the international, interdisciplinary teams and creation of the networks for the virtual activities (Group of 5 students);
Presentation and explanation into the experimental facilities (gathering and preparation of the data; data analysis);
First common lectures to explain the necessary background and advanced topics in experimental and civil engineering for the conduction of the project (building a model of experimentally tested structure; response simulation using nonlinear static procedure).

The project introductory week will be composed of lectures, exercises and team building measures.

Independently work over the whole summer semester:

Groups of 5 students will be assembled from different partner universities thus all 5 groups will have only one member from same university. Groups will be assembled at the beginning of the course on April 23rd. Group assignments will be handed over to the students at the end of the course on April 27th.

The international teams will have to independently work on the given tasks using virtual communication technologies. Additionally flip classes will be regularly offered. Thus the participating students will have the chance to debate and discuss about current results and applied concepts. Further new solving strategies can be discussed with the learning & teaching activity coordinator and partner individual local assistant, together.

Project closing workshop from Sept. 3rd to 7th, 2018 at University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Blind test competition (comparison with experimental data and evaluation of analysis results);
Finalization of common reports and presentations;
Presentation of project teams approach`s and achieved results;
Presentation and discussion of the experimental results;
Additional lectures and exercises in the scientific field of the assessment and modelling of framed-masonry composites under seismic action;
Treatment and procurement of the used material and derived results for future generations, further application, and consideration into the project database.

The project closing workshop week will be mainly composed of lectures, student work in groups, and presentation by the participants.

The participating M.Sc. students will have the opportunity to discuss their research interests with international experts, to create their own networks, and to look for exchange activities and external supervisors.

Upon successful completion of the report (60%), presentation (30%) and by additionally verifying the literacy (10%) the students will be awarded with the grade (1-5) and 6 ECTS credit certificate if they succeed with no less than 60%.

Aims and Competences

The objective of the course is to train the students to be able to make an assessment of the seismic response of RC bridges by means of the simplified nonlinear pushover based analysis and to be familiar with the basic requirements of modern standards for their seismic analysis and design.

Students understand the modern principles of design of bridges in seismic areas; they understand and know how to apply basic numerical models and procedures for nonlinear seismic analysis of RC bridges and they are able to use the state-of-the-art software for non-linear analysis of structures.

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to work in project teams which design complex structures, where the assessment using the nonlinear analysis is recommended.

Pre-requisites

Basic knowledge about:

Analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures
Dynamics and seismic analysis of structures
Structural analysis, Strength of materials
Construction and building materials
Knowledge of English language.