Advanced Structural Analysis

Structural analysis has often been approached using approximate methods such as the Finite Element Method (FEM) or series solutions, rather than analytical solutions. This book, however, begins by presenting the governing differential equations for various structural elements to be studied, and demonstrates how some simple structures can be solved directly using concepts of differential equation solutions and/or boundary value problems. The book presents and applies a novel methodology: the Green’s Functions Stiffness Method (GFSM), which is closely related to the traditional Stiffness Method (SM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM), and can be understood as a correction to the FEM. The GFSM merges the strengths of the SM with those of Green’s Functions. The book contains numerous examples and exercises that feature Python code solutions, and some of which also showcase the use of the FEM program OpenSees. By doing so, it provides a solid theoretical foundation and practical numerical implementation of the concepts.