Thank you for visiting my website. I hope these notes, examples, and algorithms will boost your interest in structural analysis. The growth in computational power has created a vision among structural engineers that the detailed performance of structures, 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 enter into the results; therefore, reliability and sensitivity analysis are also 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 approach is the foundation for the finite element method. 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 reliability are topics addressed in my other graduate course, CIVL 518 Reliability and Structural Safety. In both graduate courses, sensitivity analysis is carried out in order to calibrate our confidence in the results.

If you are new to UBC, then perhaps you will find my advice to Structures students helpful. Please do not hesitate to ask questions (terje@civil.ubc.ca) and have fun analyzing structures!

Vancouver, August 27, 2023
Professor Terje Haukaas