Structural Analysis

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Samir Rashid (Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering)
• Email: srashid@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Rowan Engineering Center 308
• Office Hours:
  • Tuesday & Friday: 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (In person, Rowan Engineering Center 308)
  • Wednesday: 2:00–3:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Loads on structures, analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate beams, trusses, and frames, influence lines, and matrix and computer methods. CE 301 provides a thorough treatment of structural behavior, load paths, and analytical methods for determinate and indeterminate civil engineering systems. Building on mechanics of deformable bodies, students analyze beams, trusses, and rigid building frames under dead, live, and environmental loads per ASCE 7. The course investigates influence lines for moving bridge loads, classical energy methods (virtual work and Castigliano's theorem), and classical indeterminate frameworks (consistent deformations, slope-deflection, moment distribution), concluding with the matrix stiffness method implemented computationally.

Prerequisites

CE 202 and MATH 240.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CE 301, students will be able to:

1. Compute Environmental and Gravity Loads: Calculate design dead loads, live loads, snow loads, and wind pressures on building structures and bridge systems using ASCE 7-22 load combination standards.
2. Construct Influence Lines: Determine influence lines for determinate beams, floor girders, and trusses using equilibrium and the Müller-Breslau principle, and calculate maximum shear and moment envelopes under moving AASHTO truck loads.
3. Calculate Structural Deflections: Compute elastic deflections and rotations of trusses, beams, and frames using the principle of virtual work (unit load method) and Castigliano's second theorem.
4. Solve Statically Indeterminate Structures: Analyze indeterminate beams and frames using the force method (consistent deformations) and displacement methods (slope-deflection equations and moment distribution).
5. Implement Matrix Stiffness Analysis: Formulate global stiffness matrices, assemble element equations, and solve for nodal displacements and member end actions in trusses and continuous beams using computational tools.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Hibbeler, Russell C. Structural Analysis. 10th ed., Pearson, 2018. Approx. $85 digital rental ($195 purchase; reserve copies available in Alkimi Library).
2. RISA-2D Educational Software and MATLAB (available on campus computer lab workstations). Free educational access provided through department licensing.
3. Total estimated cost: Approx. $0 (library reserve & campus software) to $85 (textbook rental).

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), CE 301 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: Students may use AI tools to generate MATLAB or Python code for assembling structural stiffness matrices, cross-check ASCE 7 load combination formulas, and visualize deflected structural shapes.
• What is prohibited: AI models must not be used to complete assigned hand calculations for indeterminate structures, solve slope-deflection or moment distribution problems on problem sets, or formulate influence lines without independent derivation. AI assistance is strictly banned during exams and quizzes.
• Disclosure: All computational structural modeling deliverables must incorporate an AI disclosure block outlining any generative AI prompts employed, the code generated, and the validation checks performed against commercial structural software (such as RISA-2D).

Grading Components and Weights

• Weekly Problem Sets: 15% (Due Wednesdays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas (weeks 2–14; lowest dropped))
• Biweekly Structural Mechanics Quizzes: 10% (Administered in class on alternate Thursdays (weeks 3, 5, 9, 13; lowest dropped))
• Midterm Exam 1 (Loads, Influence Lines & Virtual Work): 20% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Exam 2 (Force Method & Slope-Deflection): 20% (In class, Thursday, November 5)
• Building Frame Matrix Analysis & RISA-2D Project: 10% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Comprehensive Final Examination: 25% (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 8:00–10:00 a.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in CE 301.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Class attendance at every lecture is expected. Structural analysis methods involve intricate iterative procedures (slope-deflection, moment distribution, virtual work) that require guided problem-solving and immediate instructor feedback. If an unavoidable illness or university-approved absence arises, notify Dr. Rashid prior to class. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Homework problem sets submitted after the deadline will be assessed a penalty of 15% per day up to 48 hours late, after which solutions will be made available and zero credit awarded. The lowest homework score and lowest quiz score are automatically dropped to accommodate emergencies.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 8:00–10:00 a.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).