CEG8316 : Structural and Geotechnical Finite Element Analysis
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Mohamed Rouainia
- Lecturer: Dr Sigong Zhang
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module provides students with a solid foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the finite element method (FEM) and its application to structural, geotechnical, and soil-structure interaction analysis. It covers the basic features of constitutive models for soil behaviour, as well as the principles of numerical modelling. Students will gain an understanding of different soil models, their advantages and limitations, and how to select appropriate soil parameters. Through problem-solving exercises, computational simulations, and the use of structural and geotechnical FEM software, students will bridge the gap between theory and practice, focusing on the integration of soil-structure interaction in analysis.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Introduction to FEM and structural analysis: Mathematical foundations, nodes, elements, shape functions, virtual displacement, external/internal work, and FEM formulation for linear-static structural mechanics.
2. Material models: elasticity, yield surfaces (Tresca, Von-Mises, Mohr-Coulomb), hardening models, plastic flow rules, and the selection of material parameters.
3. Direct stiffness methods: Structural analysis, implementation using MATLAB/Python, and simulation with commercial software (e.g., ABAQUS/ANSYS).
4. Soil-structure interaction and geotechnical modelling: constitutive modelling methods for geotechnical design, using industry-standard finite element software to develop numerical models of soil-structure systems.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Revision for exams |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 16 | 2:00 | 32:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | group report |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | Tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | Background reading of course texts |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Studying software manuals and tutorials that accompany taught and computer sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 34 | 1:00 | 34:00 | Reading Lecture Notes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 6 | 3:00 | 18:00 | Computer sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Guest lectures from industry representatives |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module offers an immersive learning experience blending lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. Students are expected to learn through guided learning, independent reading and solutions to tutorial problems. Teaching and learning are by a combination of presentations, directed reading and through the use of specially prepared notes to explain the principles of numerical modelling in structural and geotechnical engineering, small group teaching exercises, guided tutorials on finite element software and computer practical sessions provide real-world examples of the theory presented in the lectures. These sessions provide opportunities to develop numerical analysis skills and directly contribute to assessment.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 50 | Unseen written examination. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 50 | Group work (approx. 20 pages) - experience of factors that influence numerical results in soil-structure interaction analysis. (Summative Assessment) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | At an appropriate time in the block, undertaken in class to check knowledge and understanding. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The knowledge gained in the module is expected to be an understanding of the principles of finite element analysis and their application to structural and geotechnical engineering applications, using commercially available software as examples. A formal examination will be used to assess understanding of theoretical aspects of finite element and their application. The coursework will develop students' understanding of the constitutive and numerical aspects of soil structure design of earth structures and enhance their technical skills in undertaking parametric studies to further evaluate modelling outputs. The AHEP learning outcomes assessed by this module are [M1, M2, M3, M4, M16, M17].
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8316's Timetable