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Simona Socrate and Alexie M. Kolpak

This online course from the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering introduces principles of structural analysis and mechanics of materials for understanding and predicting material behavior under stress.

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This online course from the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering introduces principles of structural analysis and mechanics of materials for understanding and predicting material behavior under stress.

You will learn fundamental concepts of continuum mechanics, including internal resultants, displacement field, stress, and strain, with applications to three essential types of elastic load-bearing elements: bars in axial loading, axisymmetric shafts in torsion, and symmetric beams in bending.

While emphasizing analytical techniques, the course also introduces computing environments using MATLAB and numerical methods (Finite Elements).

This is the first course in a 3-part series which explores how mechanical engineers use analytical methods and calculations to predict structural behavior. The three courses in the series are:

  • Part 1 – 2.01x: Elements of Structures. Elastic response of Structural Elements: Bars, Shafts, Beams.
  • Part 2 – 2.02.1x Mechanics of Deformable Structures: Part 1. Assemblages of Elastic, Elastic-Plastic, and Viscoelastic Structural Elements.
  • Part 3 – 2.02.2x Mechanics of Deformable Structures: Part 2. Multi-axial Loading and Deformation. Energy Methods. Based on the first subject in solid mechanics for MIT Mechanical Engineering students, these undergraduate-level courses will teach you to rely on the notions of equilibrium, geometric compatibility, and constitutive material response to ensure that your structures will perform their specified mechanical functions without failing.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • In this course, you will:
  • Use free body diagrams to formulate equilibrium equations
  • Identify geometric constraints to formulate compatibility equations
  • Understand the concepts of stress and strain at a material point.
  • For three fundamental types of slender structural elements (elastic bars, beams and shafts) you will learn:
  • To calculate internal stress and strain fields in the loaded elements
  • To predict the deformation in the loaded elements
  • To design structural elements so as to prevent failure
  • To use numerical methods (matlab) in structural engineering application

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction and Preliminaries Introduction, Review of Forces and Moments, Review on Integration, Introduction to MATLAB.
Week 2: Axial loading I Equilibrium in 1D. Free body diagrams. Internal force resultant. Normal stress and strain. Compatibility. Structural response for statically determinate bars in axial loading.
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Week 3: Axial loading II Response of inhomogeneous bars with varying cross section. Statically indeterminate problems.
Week 4: Quiz 1 (Axial Loading)
Week 5: Torsion IShear stress and strain. Internal torque resultant. Structural Response for statically determinate circular shafts in torsion.
Week 6: Torsion II Response of inhomogeneous shafts with varying cross section. Statically indeterminate problems.
Week 7: Quiz 2 (Torsion)
Week 8: Bending IInternal bending moment resultant. Curvature and neutral axis. Stress and strain distribution. Structural Response for statically determinate symmetric beams in bending.
Week 9: Bending II Response of inhomogeneous beams with varying cross section. Statically indeterminate problems.
Week 10: Quiz 3 (Bending)

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers the fundamental aspects of structural mechanics and analysis for beginners
Combines analytical techniques with computing environments using MATLAB and numerical methods for practical applications
Provides a strong foundation in structural mechanics for students pursuing mechanical engineering or related fields

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Elements of Structures with these activities:
Engineering Outreach Program
Volunteering in an engineering outreach program will allow you to share your passion for structural engineering and inspire future generations of engineers.
Browse courses on Structural Engineering
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  • Find an engineering outreach program in your local area or online.
  • Participate in hands-on activities, such as building bridges or designing structures, to engage students or the public.
Structural Engineering Resource Collection
Creating a curated collection of structural engineering resources will provide you with a valuable repository of knowledge and tools for future reference.
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  • Gather relevant articles, books, websites, and software related to structural engineering.
  • Organize and categorize the resources based on specific topics or themes.
Review EquilibriumEquations
Reviewing equilibrium equations will help you analyze forces and moments acting on structural elements and predict their responses under various loading conditions.
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  • Recall the concept of equilibrium and its mathematical representation.
  • Practice applying the equilibrium equations to simple structural systems.
  • Analyze the free body diagrams of structural elements to identify internal forces and moments.
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Structural Engineering Study Group
Joining a structural engineering study group will provide you with a supportive learning environment and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
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  • Form a study group with fellow students or classmates.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course material, work on assignments together, and prepare for exams.
MATLAB for Structural Engineering
Hands-on MATLAB tutorials will equip you with the computational tools to solve structural engineering problems efficiently and accurately.
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  • Follow online tutorials or textbooks to learn the basics of MATLAB syntax and commands.
  • Apply MATLAB to solve simple structural engineering problems, such as calculating stresses and deflections.
Stress and Strain Calculations
Regular practice in calculating stress and strain will enhance your understanding of material behavior and its impact on structural performance.
Browse courses on Stress
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  • Solve practice problems involving uniaxial stress and strain calculations.
  • Analyze stress and strain distributions within structural elements under various loading conditions.
Structural Analysis Report
Composing a detailed structural analysis report will demonstrate your ability to synthesize knowledge, apply analytical techniques, and communicate engineering findings effectively.
Browse courses on Structural Analysis
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  • Select a structural element or system for analysis.
  • Apply the principles of structural analysis to determine stresses, strains, and deflections.
  • Write a comprehensive report outlining your analysis methods, results, and conclusions.
Structural Engineering Design Competition
Participating in a structural engineering design competition will challenge you to apply your knowledge and creativity to solve real-world engineering problems.
Browse courses on Structural Engineering
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a relevant structural engineering design competition.
  • Form a team or work individually to develop an innovative structural design.
  • Submit your design for evaluation and compete against other teams.

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