STATICS AND EQUILIBRIUM

Fundamental methods of analysis for statically determinate structures based on the equations of equilibrium

icon_statics and equilibrium | DegreeTutors.com

PREMIUM COURSES

Fundamentals of Structural Analysis

Get to grips with civil engineering structural analysis once and for all.

Fundamentals of Structural Analysis | DegreeTutors.com

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.

TUTORIALS

3D-Spaceframe | DegreeTutors.com

3D Truss Calculator – Quick Start Guide

Welcome to this quick start guide on how to use the 3D truss analysis toolbox. In this tutorial, we’ll work through the solution of a sample 3D space frame (pin-jointed) structure. We’ll determine reaction forces, axial forces and nodal displacements. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be comfortable using the toolbox to analyse your own structures. In the video accompanying this tutorial, we’ll also use the Blender modelling template file provided to model and analyse a structure from scratch. Like the 2D toolbox, students in particular, should find it helpful as a quick and easy tool for generating structural response data.

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Free Truss Calculator | DegreeTutors.com

Free Truss Calculator – Quick Start Guide

This is a quick start guide for our free online truss calculator. Follow this short text tutorial or watch the Getting Started video to quickly orientate yourself with this handy free tool. We’ll walk through the process of analysing a simple truss structure. By the end, you’ll be comfortable using the truss calculator to quickly analyse your own truss structures. Students, in particular, should find it helpful as a quick and easy tool to test manual solutions against.

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Truss-Analysis | DegreeTutors.com

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.

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Structural Analysis | DegreeTutors.com

Structural Analysis

Structural analysis is the process of using mathematical and mechanical principles to determine the magnitude of internal forces in a structure. One of the main roles of a civil or structural engineer is carrying out structural analysis as the first step to designing a safe structure. In this tutorial we’ll demonstrate exactly how this process works for a real world structure.

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Fort Atkinson pinned Pratt truss bridge

What is a Truss?

A truss is a structure that consists of a collection of elements connected at pin joints or nodes. In theory, the pin joints provide no rotational resistance and behave as hinges. In practice this is not always the case.

In this tutorial, we’ll discuss common forms of truss, their features, approximate methods of analysis and the key assumptions that relate to our analysis.

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Fundamentals of Structural Analysis

Get to grips with civil engineering structural analysis once and for all

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This course covers fundamental concepts and methods in static structural analysis. Starting with the very basics, we consider forces, moments and how to use the principle of static equilibrium. We then move on to look at pin-jointed structures or trusses; what are they and how do we analyse them? We’ll cover the joint resolution method and method of sections in detail. Worked examples are used extensively to demonstrate the practical application of theory.

Based on my experience teaching engineering undergraduates, the course focuses on those areas students find particularly tricky when starting out. The link between theory and practice is reinforced using my experience as a structural design engineer. 

The emphasis is on worked examples with students encouraged to try questions before the detailed solution is presented. The teaching philosophy is ‘learn by doing!’.

This course is suitable for engineering students who find their structures lectures confusing and feel a little lost when it comes to structural analysis. Students wishing to get a head start before starting their degree programme or more advanced engineering students who need a refresher would also benefit from taking this course.