CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
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LATEST TUTORIALS
Truss Analysis using the Method of Joints and Method of Sections
In this tutorial we’re going to focus on trusses, also known as pin-jointed structures. We’ll briefly discuss their key features and methods of analysis. We’re going to start at the very beginning by briefly considering what exactly a truss is – but we’ll very quickly move on to truss analysis and demonstrate the joint resolution method and method of sections with some worked examples.
Finite Element Analysis and Structural Behaviour Modelling Case Study
In this post we will use the Tintagel footbridge as a case study to explore structural behaviour and show how we can build up an understanding of the structure through analysis of increasingly refined finite element models models. We’ll apply this iterative approach by starting with a simple beam model and incrementally working towards a full 3D finite element model. Throughout this post we’ll make use of finite element analysis codes developed in DegreeTutors courses.
Calculating Beam Deflection from First Principles
In this tutorial we’re going to explore beam deflection and see how we can calculate the deflection of any beam from first principles using the differential equation of the deflection curve. We’ll work our way through a numerical example before discussing how we can use superposition along with tabulated formulae to speed up the process of calculating beam deflection.
COMING SOON - ISOPARAMETRIC FE ANALYSIS
Use the Isoparametric Finite Element Method to build an analysis tool for 2D structures in Python.
After completing this course…
- You will have the tools to analyse continuum structures using your own Isoparameteric Finite element Python code, developed from the ground up.
- You will understand how the assumptions of plane stress and plane strain allow us to analyse 3D structures accurately with 2D planar models.
- You will be able to use a variety of open source tools to generate structural models and mesh data that can be analysed with your FE code.
NOW LIVE - FULL 3D FRAME ANALYSIS IN PYTHON
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Build your own complete 3D structural analysis software in Python using the Direct Stiffness Method.
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to expand the direct stiffness method to full 12 degree of freedom beam elements in 3D space.
- You’ll have developed a complete 3D finite element analysis solver to simulate structures consisting of beam and axially loaded bar elements.
- You’ll have the skills to efficiently build detailed structural models in Blender and export these for analysis in your own Python solver.
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"Sean has developed extraordinary structural analysis courses empowered by Python programming automation. What makes his efforts unique is that he is not only serving the fish but also teaching you how to fish it. Although I’m a postgraduate master degree civil engineer since 2001 I found his courses refreshing and very useful in my practical life as a steel and tensile structures contractor."
ENGINEERING COURSES
Use the Isoparametric Finite Element Method to build an analysis tool for 2D structures in Python.
After completing this course…
- You will have the tools to analyse continuum structures using your own Isoparameteric Finite element Python code, developed from the ground up.
- You will understand how the assumptions of plane stress and plane strain allow us to analyse 3D structures accurately with 2D planar models.
- You will be able to use a variety of open source tools to generate structural models and mesh data that can be analysed with your FE code.
Build your own complete 3D structural analysis software in Python using the Direct Stiffness Method
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to expand the direct stiffness method to full 12 degree of freedom beam elements in 3D space.
- You’ll have developed a complete 3D finite element analysis solver to simulate structures consisting of beam and axially loaded bar elements.
- You’ll have the skills to efficiently build detailed structural models in Blender and export these for analysis in your own Python solver.
Develop tools to model and analyse complex 3D space frame structures using Python.
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to apply the Direct Stiffness Method to solve 3D space frame structures using Python.
- You’ll have your own analysis programme to identify displacements, reactions and internal member forces for any 3D space frame.
- You’ll be able to use Blender, a powerful open source 3D modelling software to build, visualise and export your structural models.
Build a sophisticated structural analysis software tool that models beams and frames using Python.
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to model beam elements that resist axial force, shear forces and bending moments within the Direct Stiffness Method.
- You’ll have your own analysis software that can generate shear force diagrams, bending moment diagrams, deflected shapes and more.
- You’ll understand how to model rotational pins within your structures, inter-nodal distributed loading and realistic flexible supports.
Build your own finite element truss analysis software using Python and tackle large scale structures.
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to use the Direct Stiffness Method to build complete structural models that can be solved using Python.
- You’ll have your own analysis programme to identify displacements, reactions and internal member forces for any truss.
- You’ll understand how common models of elastic behaviour such as plane stress and plane strain apply to real-world structures.
Leverage fundamental structural dynamics to build your own flexible numerical solutions in Python.
After completing this course…
- You’ll understand how to model dynamic behaviour using spring-mass-damper models and how to simulate free vibration behaviour.
- You’ll be able to model the influence of harmonic loading and how to characterise the transient and steady-state responses.
- You’ll be able to use Python to implement the Piecewise Exact Method to model any form of general dynamic loading.
Powerful techniques for analysing realistic civil engineering structures.
After completing this course…
- You will learn how to analysis complex and indeterminate structures using hand-analysis techniques.
- You will learn how to calculate deflections, member forces and bending moments in indeterminate structures.
- You will learn how the Principle of Superposition can be used to decipher and unlock the behaviour of complex structures.
Analyse complex beam and frame civil engineering structures using Virtual Work.
After completing this course…
- You will have a complete understanding of the Principle of Virtual Work and how it can be applied to bending behaviour.
- You will have robust, repeatable strategies to apply Virtual Work to beam and frame structures in bending.
- You will be able to use Virtual Work techniques to calculate unknown displacements in beams and frames.
Level up your structural analysis skillset with these powerful Civil Engineering analysis techniques.
After completing this course…
- You will have a complete understanding of how concepts such as work, energy and elasticity combine to give us the Principle of Virtual Work.
- You will be able to use Virtual Work to calculate unknown nodal displacements in pin-jointed truss structures.
- You will be able to use Virtual Work to calculate internal forces in pin-jointed truss structures.
Unlock indeterminate structures using the moment distribution structural analysis method.
After completing this course…
- You will have a deep understanding of how structures respond to loading.
- You will clearly understand the methods used to analyse statically indeterminate beams and frames.
- You will be able to analyse both non-sway and sway frames – essential when designing real world structures.
Step up your structural analysis skills by working your way through these indeterminate structures.
After completing this course…
- You will have an even deeper understanding of how structures respond to loading.
- You will be comfortable determining shear force, bending moment and deflected shape diagrams.
- You will be able to analyse both non-sway and sway frames – essential when designing real world structures.
Sharpen your civil engineering analysis skills with questions designed to test your understanding.
After completing this course…
- You will have a reliable procedure for correctly determining shear force and bending moment diagrams for statically determinate structures.
- You will be comfortable analysing both 1-dimensional beam and 2-dimensional frame structures.
- You will be able to utilise pre-existing pin-joints in structures to facilitate your analysis.
Your complete roadmap to mastering these essential structural analysis skills.
After completing this course…
- You will be fully competent in drawing shear force and bending moment diagrams for statically determinate beams and frames.
- You will have a robust system of analysis that allows you to confidently tackle the analysis of any statically determinate structure.
- You will understand the relationship between external loading and the shear forces and bending moments they induce.
Perform 2D stress analysis and use Mohr’s Circle to visualise the complete stress field.
After completing this course…
- You will understand the concepts of plane stress, the 2D stress field and how to use transformation equations to explore the state of stress at a point.
- You will be able to determine principal planes, principal stresses and maximum positive an negative shear stresses.
- You will be able use Mohr’s Circle of Stress to visualise the complete stress field at a point using Python and hand sketches. .
Get to grips with civil engineering structural analysis once and for all.
After completing this course…
- You will understand key concepts such as the moment of a force, static equilibrium and determinacy.
- You will be able to determine the support reactions for structures subject to a range of loading conditions.
- You will learn to use the Joint Resolution Method and Method of Sections to analyse pin-jointed truss structures.
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What students say
This is an excellent course and it truly gives you a deep insight into the way a structure behaves on the application of external loads and you develop a great understanding of the Shear force and Bending moment diagrams which essentially are the tools used to analyse a structure completely. The concepts and problems taught in the course are very close to the real world examples and the instructor provides you with a lot of practical knowledge drawing on from his experience as a Structural Engineer. This course will truly make you fall in love with structures and provide you with a solid foundation to go on and become one of the best in the field of Structural Engineering.
I studied moment distribution back in my college days in the early to mid sixties. The approach then was only about thirty years old, and it was taught differently. All ends got FEMs calculated using the both ends fixed formulas. Members having hinged ends got their stiffnesses reduced by a quarter, which changed distribution factors. I think I prefer using the propped cantilever approach as it seems to model the stucture more accurately. Also, sway of structures was not generally covered in undergraduate structures analysis courses. Your explanation of the subject and how to solve sway structures was very good. You also made me remember the power of the free body diagram. All in all, well done.
This is one of the most comprehensive courses I have taken.
There are many very helpful courses on Youtube as well as post secondary sources which I have found helpful.
However most -if not all - they lack the art of packaging the " made for dummies" approach with the complexity and full technical weight of a course such as " Analysis of Indeterminate Structures and the MDM"
Sean's ability to take something very complex and make it simple is unique. His use of sketches, CLEAR manner of speaking, REPETITION and logical development of a course is extraordinary.
I look forward to take more of his courses
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Excellent course for all the professionals to understand the fundamentals before using the sophisticated Structural Analysis tools. As always, Dr Sean is exceptional at clearing the doubts, well before even you have them.
I studied mechanical engineering before and took vibration in four semesters. The lecturer does summarize vibration in a very systematic and interesting form. It is an excellent job.
Did not have a good level of understanding to dynamics and modeling, but this course helped me quite a bit. Amazingly presented !!!
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I am glad that I bought this course because he explains the concepts very well. I took Statics and Mechanics of Materials but it is good to review this stuff again.
Very clear exposition for anyone considering going into Structural Engineering
The explanations are clear. The learning curvature is accurate to my level of previous knowledge.
Good explanation and quality!
Very clear to understand the concept.
Instructor looks like he knows what he's talking about. Excellent information and engineering examples given here.
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Amazing and easy explaination of the moment distribution method. I wanted to have him as my lecturer.
I was kinda struggling with some of the very basic ideas but seeing him break everything down helped so far a lot.
Course is still in progress, but so far, I can already see myself using just these basic concepts in real world applications.
It was very helpful and straight to the point. I will definitely recommend this course and Dr. Sean Carroll to people!
Clear enough in explanations, even for someone who has not basic skill in civil engineering, so far so good, thank you
Understanding the concepts provided in this course got me to a point where I can solve almost any statics fundamental problem. It seemed difficult at the beginning but after practicing for few hours, everything became easier and clear.
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I thought this course was excellent. I took it to gain a greater appreciation for the underlying mathematics/processes in structural analysis software and to understand how these can be applied in an automated way through python. Knocked it out of the park on both cases with very clear explanations, detailed notes, and plenty of examples. Thanks very much!
Dr Sean is an expert on this topic. I'am really so sorry that i have noticed his courses so late! I am civil engineer and master degree student in Computational Mechanics in Germany . And I can really say i would be very happy if i could become his Phd student. 🙂 I'am glad to take this course. Feel free to buy this course because its really worth it.
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I have completed the course and I have really strengthened my basics.
I've just started my course. The tutor explains well and lectures are divided into short topics. That helps to understand the subject well without being boring.
It was a great experience
Excellent course, for aspiring engineers and those who want to remember structural analysis methods for indeterminate structures.
Very easy to understand, and doesn't teach too quickly.
The best tutor ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Very helpful course in helping to understand the concepts before you attempt the calculations. This has helped me complete my reinforced concrete design project as I was struggling to understand the concepts discussed in the course initially.
Highly recommend this.
Thanks
I'm surprised with this course. It's making me more interested, fantastic!
Love this course!
I am already a graduate but this course is very useful for anyone.
Very happy to have completed this course and I feel more confident. The tutor explained clearly. Very good course if you want to understand the basics in structural analysis
Helpful and very informative.The course has actually encouraged me to choose Fundamental of Structure as one of the two confirmatory examination courses I will be writing in my coming Engineering qualification board examination. The lecture actually taught the course syllabus
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Your Tutor
Hi, I’m Seán, the founder and lead tutor at DegreeTutors.com. I’m also a senior lecturer in Structural Engineering at the University of Exeter, a leading UK university. I’m a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. DegreeTutors is designed to support students and construction industry professionals in enhancing their engineering analysis and design capabilities.
Whether you want to sharpen up on the basics of constructing shear and moment diagrams or want to better understand how to analyse complex indeterminate structures (with or without a computer), by taking courses with me on DegreeTutors you’ll build the knowledge and skills you need.
DegreeTutors courses are designed to help you develop the intuition for structural behaviour that all good engineers need.
Dr Seán Carroll
B.Eng (Hons), M.Sc, Ph.D, CEng MIEI, FHEA
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