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The capability to analyze structures under static and dynamic loads is an essential skill for structural engineers. Structural analysis therefore is a key component in civil and architectural engineering education, where analytical methods are traditionally complemented by the use of (commercial) software packages. The latter are often closed source, which may obscure the links to the underlying matrix structural analysis or finite element formulation. To stimulate active, cooperative, and solution‐oriented learning, we developed Stabil, an electronic learning environment implemented as a Matlab toolbox. Stabil has an open structure to elucidate the links between theory and implementation and is presently used throughout the curricula of Civil and Architectural Engineering at KU Leuven. This paper explains the main principles of Stabil and discusses teaching experiences over the past 15 years. Stabil can be downloaded from http://bwk.kuleuven.be/bwm/stabil.

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During a storm in October 2002, wind induced ovalling oscillations were observed on several empty silos of a closely spaced group of 8 by 5 silos in the port of Antwerp (Belgium). Present day standards describe only basic wind load cases, unable to explain this ovalling phenomenon. In order to improve the design of engineering structures with cylinders placed in groups, a thorough understanding of the fluid flow around such groups is required. 2D unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations using Menter's shear stress transport turbulence model were performed, considering the wind flow around the rectangular group for a range of angles of incidence (0 • ≤ α ≤ 90 • ). The 2D highly turbulent post-critical flow (Re = 1.24 × 10 7 ) around a single cylinder was computed to elucidate the influence of the applied turbulence model and to validate the spatial and temporal discretization. Since, the flow regime around and within the silo group is similar to the flow around rectangular cylinders and the flow within tube arrays (e.g. heat exchangers), similarities and differences are used to assess the influence of the angle of incidence on the flow pattern around the cylinder group. The large velocities in the interstitial flow between cylinders as well as the formation of large scale vortex shedding in the wake of the group are discussed for various angles of incidence. Static and dynamic loadings on separate silos of the group are studied to explain the existence and the location of ovalling oscillations in closely spaced silo groups.