Course Summary

This 3-day course is for engineers with little or no prior knowledge of LUSAS or for those wanting to refresh their knowledge of carrying out linear static and linear buckling analysis for structural and bridge applications. The course covers getting started with LUSAS and then proceeds to cover in detail the modelling and analysis options available for creating beam models, modelling flat slabs, composite construction, 3D modelling, and in correctly applying the various types of bridge and structural loading available. 

Training is provided in a tutor-led classroom environment and includes both tutor-led and standalone workshop examples to illustrate and build-upon the points covered during presentation sessions. The in-depth examples go into far more engineering detail than those provided in the LUSAS examples manuals and provide answers and practical engineering guidance to the following:

• Modelling: Why has a certain modelling approach been adopted?, assumptions, limitations etc.
• Feature geometry: Why features have been defined in a certain way?, units, orientations etc.
• Mesh: What elements are used and why?, limitations, alternatives, connectivity issues, orientations, end releases.
• Geometric attributes: How they have been calculated and why?, use of eccentricities etc.
• Material attributes: Where they have been obtained from?, limitations etc, including calculation of any joint stiffnesses etc 
• Support attributes: Description of and, where necessary, reasoning including calculation of any spring stiffnesses used.
• Loading attributes: Description of and, where necessary, reasoning including calculation of intensities or references etc.
• Checking: Steps to take, loadcase, reactions, deformed shape, magnitude of deformations, warnings, mesh refinement.
• Example results: How were they obtained?
• Conclusions: Any refinements or adjustments which might be made.

On successful completion of the course and with subsequent experience delegates should be able to successfully tackle most types of linear static structural analyses that are encountered in mainstream structural and bridge engineering.

Who should attend ?

New, or less experienced users of LUSAS.

Course Dates

Course Content:

Day 1: 

Getting started with LUSAS

• About LUSAS, finite element analysis, geometry, attributes, the LUSAS treeview, section property calculators, viewing results, documentation, sources of help

• Tutor-led example: Steel warehouse building (2D beams)

• Workshop example: Four span bridge with integral piers (2D beams)

Getting more out of beam models

• Tapering sections, discrete loads and moving loads, temperature effects, settlement of supports, enveloping and smart combinations, report writer, obtaining natural frequencies

• Tutor-led example: Steel warehouse building (2D beams) [extended]

• Workshop example: Four span bridge with integral piers (2D beams)  [extended]

Day 2: 

Modelling flat slabs

• Construction options/ classification, analysis options, isotropic slabs, plate models, grillage analogy, orthotropic slabs, multicellular slabs, shear key / box beam

• Tutor-led example: Skew RC slab bridge (both by grillage wizard and as plate model)

Beam and slab construction

• Construction options/ classification, analysis options, mixing elements, ordinary beams with top slab, box beams with top slab

• Tutor-led example: Steel/ composite bridge deck (mixed elements)

• Workshop example: Beam and slab floor in a building (mixed elements)

Day 3:

Introduction to 3D modelling

• Plate girder modelling, CAD import, Developing a model in LUSAS, Basic checklist, Accuracy of FE analysis, Interpolation and mesh refinement, Element shapes, mesh patterns, Surface and volume meshing, Linear buckling analysis

• Tutor-led example: U-frame plate girder bridge (shells)

Bridge and structural loading

• Bridge loading menu, principles and use of the vehicle load optimisation facility, wheel loads

• Tutor-led example: Skew RC slab bridge (both by grillage wizard and as plate model)