What you'll learn:
- 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
- You will understand the key differences between simplified analysis models and the behaviour of real world structures
2022 UPDATE:
New Online Truss Analysis Toolbox added for unlimited practice questions. After you learn the fundamental truss analysis techniques, come up with your own truss designs, solve them and then confirm your solutions using the DegreeTutors truss analysis toolbox.
In this course, we'll cover fundamental concepts and methods in static structural analysis. Starting with the very basics, we explore forces, moments and how to use the principle of static equilibrium. Then we 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.
With the new truss analysis online toolbox, you can now go beyond the worked examples provided in the course and build and analyse your own designs.
This course has been designed to cover the key topics that students first encounter when studying structural mechanics. Based on my experience teaching engineering undergraduates, the course focuses on those areas students find particularly tricky when starting out.
I've also emphasised the link between theory and practice and we explore how our models of structural behaviour map onto the real world. A good civil or structural engineer knows the limits of their model. So in this course, we're really going to highlight this distinction between model prediction and real-world structural behaviour.
The course includes video lectures that combine screencast voice over with traditional style lectures.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 mechanics/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. Construction industry professionals such as surveyors, architects etc. would also benefit from understanding the materials covered in this course.
