The Swiss engineering master's degree

1. Contents: Introduction to continuum mechanics and plasticity theory; analysis of constitutive laws for soils and construction materials in structural engineering; application of plasticity theory for ultimate load calculations in geotechnical and structural engineering.

2. Objectives: After completing this module, students should have developed an in-depth understanding of the constitutive laws governing soils and structural materials used in civil engineering. They should be able to correctly apply these laws in the calculation of ultimate loads for specific engineering structures. Furthermore, students should understand the methods for determining load-bearing capacity based on plasticity theory in both geotechnical and structural engineering and be able to apply them to appropriate practical problems.

Requisiti

• Knowledge of structural analysis of frame structures and plate structures, as well as knowledge of the design and construction of load-bearing structures made of reinforced concrete and steel.
• Knowledge of soil mechanics, as well as of the calculation and design of geotechnical structures.
• Knowledge of matrix algebra and differential equations.

Obiettivi di apprendimento

After completing this module, students should be able to:

a) develop an in-depth understanding of the constitutive laws of soils and structural materials used in civil engineering;

b) correctly assess which constitutive law is appropriate to apply in a given practical situation;

c) understand the purpose and significance of the limit load method and the limit theorems in plasticity theory;

d) understand and apply methods for determining load-bearing capacity using the limit load method in both geotechnical and structural engineering;

e) apply constitutive laws to calculate realistic load-bearing capacities for geotechnical structures as well as for structures in structural engineering;

f) interpret and validate the results of load-bearing capacity calculations.

Contenuti del modulo

Introduction to Continuum Mechanics and Material Mechanics (approx. 35%)

• Introduction to static and kinematic relationships; introduction to material behavior (linear-elastic, ideally plastic behavior, plastic potential, yield criteria) (approx. 10%)
• Constitutive laws for soils (elasticity; failure criteria and plastic flow, hardening, critical state) (approx. 15%)
• Constitutive laws for structural materials used in civil engineering (steel, reinforced concrete, fiber-reinforced concrete, ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), glass) (approx. 10%)

2. Application of Plasticity Theory in Structural Engineering (approx. 40%)

• Limit theorems of plasticity theory
• Elastoplastic systems
• Limit load methods for frame structures, including practical examples: static and kinematic approaches
• Limit load methods for plate structures, including practical examples: simple moment fields, yield-line analysis, and the strip method

3. Application of Plasticity Theory and Nonlinear Material Behavior in Geotechnical Engineering (approx. 25%)

• Selected practical case studies of geotechnical problems (retaining walls, slope stability, shallow foundations, deep excavations)

Metodologie di insegnamento e apprendimento

• Lectures and seminar-style instruction
• Independent exercises

Bibliografia

• Theory of Structures: Fundamentals, Framed Structures, Plates and Shells, by Prof. Dr. Peter Marti, 2013, Online ISBN:9783433602638 |DOI:10.1002/9783433602638, Wilhelm Ernst & Sohn
• "Constitutive laws for soil", Prof. Dr. Carlo Rabaiotti, OST Ostschweizer Fachhochschule Rapperswil, 2017/2025
• Further teaching materials from the lectures