HINTS and TRICKS for the exam
This page is intended to avoid the frequently made mistakes during exams. Important aspects of the assessment are
stressed here and hopefully you will make the link to the learning objectives which can be found on theses pages as well.
Preparation to the exam starts with the theory. Students who fail on the exam fail primarily due to very grave errors which
demonstrates insufficient knowledge of the theory. If you understand the generic aspects of the theory well, you can apply them on
practically any problem during the exam. If you only study old exams you will never grasp the generic part of the course and will fail on
unexpected problems.
Cross sections
Finding the normal force centre is vital. So practise this on the numerous examples in the notes. This part is
extremely simple and errors are not accepted.
Finding a correct shear force diagram and moment distribution for simple loads on static determinate structures is a
prerequisite for this course. This is first year knowledge. Grave errors are not accepted here.
Finding the product term in the bending stiffness tensor is the only real tricky element so this is also the part with
most of the credits.
Normal stress distribution for several materials requires an accurate calculation sheet, so exercise this and make sure
that you present your work in a neat way. This will also avoid mistakes. Unreadable calculations are by default not graded.
You can use colours if you like in the graphical presentations.
Make sure you know the assumptions for finding the shear stress distribution from the theory. The calculation it self is very
simple so using the wrong data is a serious mistake.
Distinguish the different options to compute displacements and make sure you can apply these.
If you use an expression from the formula sheet copy it correct. You do not want to know how many mistakes I see on this simple issue!
Work and Energy
Make sure you can produce a moment distribution as a function of x along the beam axis. Exercise this properly on the numerous examples.
All methods contain to some degree simple integration techniques which is prerequisite to this course.If complicated integrals are needed
then check the formula sheet for it.
Focus on the solution strategy and avoid an 'ad hoc' approach. Using the theory will lead directly to the solution without pages of work.
If distributions are asked for then check the diagram for fundamental errors, these will not be apppreciated.
Influence lines
Use the proper technique for influence lines for forces and displacements and understand the differences.
Exercise on existing problems using MatrixFrame or any other frame analysis program to check your results.
Think of your own problems and share these with other students to practise. Once you understand the technique all lines will be flawless.
Questions on the theory are also possible!
Make sure you also understand the interpreatation of the diagrams and how to use them.
In case of static determinate structures also the values of the influence factor for characteristic points have to be computed and shown
in the diagram.
Plasticity
Show a proper analysis of the problem. So read carefully the questions and answer them
A correct mechanism requires a correct description of the kinematics (including all rotations and moments) and a correct equation of virtual work.
Understand why the moment distribution is asked for and do something with this knowledge.
Finding the correct moment distribution is first year knowledge and mistakes are not accepted. This part is quite essential (previous remark) so do not skip it.
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