IStructE Core Objective 04: Analysis and Sizing

This was previously the 2.2 Analysis objective, now updated to incorporate element sizing. This objective offers you a chance to showcase your understanding of structural behaviour, and ability to assess behaviour using appropriate analysis methods. Including Objective 03 Concept Creation and Design, this is also one of the most important objectives.

In the exam, you don't have enough time to carry out complex engineering calculations. They have to be kept quite simple, generally appropriate to a concept design level. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to carry out more detailed analyses.

What to include in your Report Form and Portfolio

Here's a range of items to potentially cover in your report form below. We would suggest organising by project, and including 3 projects or more, if possible. You may just have two or three big projects which you have worked on with lots of design work, which is fine as long as you cover the different types of calculations you undertook. Once again, try to include a rich variety.

• IStructE Certificate in Structural Behaviour course (if passed)
• Hand calculation design or checking of an element with a pen and paper
• Spreadsheet calculations you have developed
• Computer structural analysis model you have built, with output results
• Hand checks to support or verify structural analysis model output
• Floor vibration analyses (e.g. time-history analyses) you may have done
• Any special seismic or wind loading calculations you may have undertaken
• Transfer structure sizing and design
• Steel connection modelling and design
• Lateral stability (e.g. RC core) sizing and design checks, cracking, stiffness modifiers, etc.
• Consideration of movements and deflections
• Axial shortening analyses, for tall buildings if undertaken (could be extracts from a movement and tolerance report)
• Load takedowns
• List the range of structural analysis and design software you have used