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, probabilistic methods and reliability analysis are devoted significant attention. Given the presence of uncertainties, it is also helpful to know how sensitive the results are to changes in the input parameters and model assumptions. For that reason, sensitivity analysis is also included.

In my core undergraduate course, CIVL 332, I cover a of range of structural analysis methods, including the stiffness method. That method is the foundation for finite element analysis. In one of my graduate courses, CIVL 509, I get into the details of nonlinear finite element analysis, a topic essential to earthquake engineers. Uncertainties, probabilities, and reliability analysis are topics addressed in my other graduate course, CIVL 518. If you are new to UBC, perhaps you find it helpful to browse my advice to current and prospective structures students.

Thanks for visiting my website and have fun analyzing structures!

Vancouver, January 27, 2023
Professor Terje Haukaas