The course’s main objective is to give to students the ability to analyze the mechanical behaviour of structures that can be modelled as systems of elastic beams. To this end, it aims to furnish a coherent rational introduction to the mechanics of structures.
As a second objective, students are taught the fundamental notions of the classical theory of linear elasticity and consequently develop the ability to analyze the mechanical behaviour of solid bodies modelled as elastically deformable continuous bodies. Lastly, students will develop an understanding of the two failure modes for the elastic behaviour of structures: the first due to the outcoming of inelastic deformations, with increasing external loads; the second resulting from rising instability phenomena affecting the equilibrium.