In the 1980s I worked as a carpenter, making it to Journeyman and subsequently Master Builder of that trade. At the time, I built myself a nice toolbox for the carpenter equipment. I still use it, so you cannot have it. However, now that I am a professor of structural engineering at UBC Vancouver I have created another toolbox, and this one is all yours!

I hope these notes, examples, and algorithms will boost your interest in structural analysis. The growth in computer power has created a vision among structural engineers that the performance of buildings and bridges, when subjected to earthquakes and other hazards, can be simulated on the computer. The mechanics and finite elements behind such simulations are central topics on this website. Substantial uncertainty enters into the results; therefore, reliability and sensitivity analysis are devoted significant attention.

In my core undergraduate course, CIVL 332 Structural Analysis, I cover a range of structural analysis methods, including the stiffness method. That method is the foundation for finite element analysis. For many years I taught CIVL 435 Advanced Structural Analysis, which is why here are notes on the linear finite element method and advanced cross-section analysis. I get into the details of nonlinear finite element analysis, a topic essential for earthquake engineers, in CIVL 509 Nonlinear Structural Analysis. Uncertainties, probabilities, and structural safety are topics addressed in my other graduate course, CIVL 518 Reliability and Structural Safety. Sensitivity analysis is important in both graduate courses, calibrating our confidence in the results.

If you are new to UBC, you may find my advice to Structures students helpful. Please do not hesitate to ask questions via email to terje@civil.ubc.ca and have fun analyzing structures!

Vancouver, November 5, 2024
Professor Terje Haukaas