The Art of Structural Engineering
Vaults
In this engineering course you will learn how to analyze vaults (long-span roofs) from three perspectives:
Efficiency = calculations of forces/stresses
Economy = evaluation of societal context and cost
Elegance = form/appearance based on engineering principles, not decoration
We explore iconic vaults like the Pantheon, but our main focus is on contemporary vaults built after the industrial revolution. The vaults we examine are made of different materials, such as tile, reinforced concrete, steel and glass, and were created by masterful engineers/builders like Rafael Guastavino, Anton Tedesko, Pier Luigi Nervi, Eduardo Torroja, Félix Candela, and Heinz Isler.This course illustrates:
how engineering is a creative discipline and can become art
the influence of the economic and social context in vault design
the interplay between forces and form
The course has been created for a general audience—no advanced math or engineering prerequisites are needed. This is the second of three courses on the Art of Structural Engineering, each of which are independent of each other. The course on bridges was launched in 2016, and another course will be developed on buildings/towers.
What you'll learn
- How to solve for the efficiency of structures using the appropriate formulas
- How to evaluate a structure within the measures of structural art
- How economic, social and culture influences structural design
- How to analyze vaulted forms, such as domes, cantilevers, hypars, and arches
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What people are saying
structural engineering
I would like to congratulate Professor Garlock, her colleagues and the course team for developing the excellent content presented in this course "The Art of Structural Engineering: Vaults".
71 year old mechanical
I’m a retired 71 year old mechanical engineer who has a love of everything engineering.
concept behind those beautiful
The course is really helpful for a jump start of learning structural engineering and the architectural concept behind those beautiful structures.
graduate feel comfortable enough
While the mathematical problems were more challenging, I was grateful to have information on hand that made a non- maths graduate feel comfortable enough to conquer the challenge.
highlights social-cultural aspects alongside
From a humanities background, I loved the way this course explores and highlights social-cultural aspects alongside the structural engineering foundations of the content.
instructor wose enthusiasm brings
Maria Garlock is a top notch instructor wose enthusiasm brings a wonderful learning experience to the curious.
thin reinforced concrete shells
It describes the creativity of the twentieth century structural designers and builders who made thin reinforced concrete shells possible and elegant.
two hours per week
Seriously, set aside around two hours per week, which is more than adequate, and join this course.
weekly discussion forum assignments
The weekly discussion forum assignments allow participants to submit images and a statement pertaining to the topic of interest.
art history teacher
I am an art history teacher and theorist from New Zealand and have taken many MOOCs that allow access to internationally respected institutions.
internationally respected institutions
long span roofs
It covers the development of long span roofs from domes to barrels to parabolas and then hyperbolic parabolas.
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