We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Elements of Structures

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.

Enroll now

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

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.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Elements of structures: core engineering foundation

According to students, "Elements of Structures" is a rigorous and comprehensive course that provides a strong theoretical foundation in structural analysis and mechanics of materials. Learners frequently praise the clear explanations of core concepts related to bars, shafts, and beams, finding them essential for understanding structural behavior. The course effectively integrates analytical techniques with practical applications and introduces MATLAB for engineering problems. While some find the pace challenging, many highlight its value for mechanical and civil engineering career paths, noting it as an excellent first step in solid mechanics. However, some learners advise having a solid background in calculus and physics to fully benefit.

Integrates analytical methods with computational tools like MATLAB.

"The introduction to MATLAB was very useful, applying the theoretical concepts to real-world problems."

"I liked how the course connected the theory of structural elements to practical problem-solving using MATLAB."

"Learning to use MATLAB for structural engineering applications was a highlight for me."

Lectures clearly break down complex engineering concepts for learners.

"The instructor's explanations were clear and concise, making difficult topics manageable."

"I really appreciated how the course broke down axial loading and bending into understandable steps."

"The way they presented free body diagrams made so much sense to me."

Establishes a robust theoretical base crucial for structural engineering.

"This course provided me with an incredibly strong foundation in understanding stress, strain, and material behavior."

"I feel much more confident in my ability to analyze structural elements after completing this course."

"Excellent starting point for anyone serious about mechanical or civil engineering fundamentals."

Some students desired more comprehensive solutions for problem sets.

"I wished there were more detailed solutions provided for the homework assignments."

"Sometimes, I struggled with the problem sets because the solutions only gave the final answer."

"It would be beneficial to have more comprehensive feedback on the quizzes."

A challenging course requiring strong mathematical preparation.

"Be prepared for a rigorous pace; I found myself needing to review a lot of calculus and physics."

"This course is quite demanding, and a solid background in math and basic mechanics is crucial."

"While challenging, the depth of learning I achieved was well worth the effort and time."

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

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Show steps

Creating a curated collection of structural engineering resources will provide you with a valuable repository of knowledge and tools for future reference.

Browse courses on Structural Engineering

Show steps

Gather relevant articles, books, websites, and software related to structural engineering.
Organize and categorize the resources based on specific topics or themes.

Review EquilibriumEquations

Show steps

Reviewing equilibrium equations will help you analyze forces and moments acting on structural elements and predict their responses under various loading conditions.

Show steps

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.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Structural Engineering Study Group

Show steps

Joining a structural engineering study group will provide you with a supportive learning environment and opportunities to collaborate with peers.

Browse courses on Structural Engineering

Show steps

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

Show steps

Hands-on MATLAB tutorials will equip you with the computational tools to solve structural engineering problems efficiently and accurately.

Browse courses on MATLAB

Show steps

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

Show steps

Regular practice in calculating stress and strain will enhance your understanding of material behavior and its impact on structural performance.

Browse courses on Stress

Show steps

Solve practice problems involving uniaxial stress and strain calculations.
Analyze stress and strain distributions within structural elements under various loading conditions.

Structural Analysis Report

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Show steps

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.

Career center

Learners who complete Elements of Structures will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Elements of Structures.

Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics 2003

Save

Classic textbook on finite element analysis, written by a renowned expert in the field. It provides a thorough introduction to the subject, covering both theoretical concepts and practical applications. It is highly relevant to the topic and suitable for students and practicing engineers.

Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics 2003 (2...

Hardcover

$$$$

Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete...

Save

This is the authoritative code that governs the design and construction of structural concrete in the United States. While not a textbook in the traditional sense, it is an absolutely essential reference for anyone involved in concrete structural design. Familiarity with this code prerequisite for professional practice, and the latest edition is crucial for contemporary design.

Elements of Structures

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Elements of structures: core engineering foundation

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses

edX Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Free Audit Track Available

14-Day Full Refund Window

Verified Academic & Industry Partner