Analysing Hybrid Indeterminate Civil Engineering Structures

Analysing Hybrid Indeterminate Civil Engineering Structures

Powerful techniques for analysing realistic civil engineering structures.

⏰ 3 h 47 min | 20 lessons
Published: July 2019
4.75
After completing this course...
You will learn how to analysis complex and indeterminate structures using hand-analysis techniques.
You will learn how to apply the Principle of Virtual Work to indeterminate structures.
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.
COURSE OVERVIEW

In this course we’ll apply the Principle of Virtual Work and the Principle of Superposition to analyse complex indeterminate civil engineering structures. Engineering students typically start learning structural analysis by focusing on simple trusses, then beams and frames.

In reality many civil engineering structures are complex hybrids of both axially loaded (truss) and bending (beam and frame) elements.

Realistic civil engineering structures are also very often statically indeterminate, meaning direct application of simple statics alone won’t unlock their behaviour.

In this course it is these complex, indeterminate structures that we’ll focus on analysing. We’ll start by developing a solution strategy. You’ll develop a sound understanding of this strategy as we develop everything from simple first principles, namely, Virtual Work and Superposition.

The second half of the course focuses on implementation – you will work your way through a number of challenge questions, with my worked solutions as your back-up if you get stuck. By the end of this course you’ll be confidently analysing structures that leave most other students scratching their heads in confusion.

As a former university lecturer in structural engineering, I have a lot of experience guiding students through these topics. Each video lecture is structured and delivered to ensure you get the most out of your time investment. If you take this course, don’t expect to sit back and let the videos wash over you – you’ll need to actively work your way through the course, constantly comparing your developing understanding with what you learn in each lecture.

You’re strongly encouraged to develop your own notes as we move through the course.

We’ll be avoiding ‘death by PowerPoint’ at all costs.

The mode of presentation is predominantly through hand-drawn notes and sketches; a method universally favoured by every engineering student I’ve ever had!

Who this course is for

  • Engineering students who want to extend their ability to analyse more complex real world structures
  • Engineering students who can analyse basic truss or beam/frame structures but who have realised that real world structures are often a combination of both
  • Engineering students who have some familiar with the Principle of Virtual Work but want to learn how deploy its power more broadly
  • Engineering students who want the ability to analyse indeterminate structures without the need to resort to analysis software
Section 2
Complex Structure Analysis Strategy
3. What are complex structures?
09:50 (Preview)
4. How does superposition help us?
11:21 (Preview)
5. Dealing with axial forces
13:07
6. Dealing with bending moments 📂
08:38
7. Finding the scale factor, alpha
15:18
8. Analysis Walkthrough – Part 1
15:25
9. Analysis Walkthrough – Part 2
13:30
Section 3
Challenge Questions
10. Challenge Question 1 – Part 1
16:21
11. Challenge Question 1 – Part 2
08:30
12. Challenge Question 2 – Part 1
31:21
13. Challenge Question 2 – Part 2
08:07
14. Challenge Question 3 – Part 1
15:11
15. Challenge Question 3 – Part 2
07:20
16. Challenge Question 4 – Part 1
13:17
17. Challenge Question 4 – Part 2
13:45
18. Challenge Question 5 – Part 1
15:27
19. Challenge Question 5 – Part 2
06:01
Section 4
Course wrap up
20. Course wrap up and debrief
00:49
Completion certificate
Completion certificate
  • Download your personalised Certificate of Completion once you’ve finished all course lectures.

  • Applying for jobs? Use your Certificate of Completion to show prospective employers what you’ve been doing to improve your capabilities.

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Ready to get started?
getting-started
Dr Seán Carroll
BEng (Hons), MSc, PhD, CEng MIEI, FHEA
Hi, I’m Seán, the founder of EngineeringSkills.com (formerly DegreeTutors.com). I hope you found this tutorial helpful. After spending 10 years as a university lecturer in structural engineering, I started this site to help more people understand engineering and get as much enjoyment from studying it as I do. Feel free to get in touch or follow me on any of the social accounts.

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