Types of Loads
As described above, structures must be proportioned so that they will not fail or deform excessively under the loads they may be subjected to over their expected life. Therefore, it…
Loss of Stability Due to Material Failure
In the first scenario, the level of stress in a component reaches the ultimate stress for the material, causing a material failure, which, in turn, triggers a failure of the…
Initial Stability
If either the number or nature of the reactions is insufficient to satisfy the equilibrium conditions, the structure is said to be initially unstable. Figure 1.4a illustrates this case. The…
Critical Concerns of Structural Engineering
Of primary concern to a Structural engineer is ensuring that the structure will not collapse when subjected to its design loading. This requires firstly that the engineer properly identify the…
Types of Structures and Structural Components
Structures are everywhere in the built environment. Buildings, bridges, tunnels, storage tanks, and transmission lines are examples of a “structure.” Structures differ in their makeup (i.e., the type and configuration…
Rubberized Asphalt Concrete Materials
Rubberized asphalt concrete is extremely useful for road construction projects since it is economical. It is prepared from used tires that otherwise are delivered to the landfills and occupy useful…
Millau Viaduct – The Tallest Bridge in the World
The Millau Viaduct is the world's tallest and longest cable bridge in the world. An absolute engineering wonder, Millau Viaduct has supporting pylons which are even taller than the great…
So You Want To Build a Post And Lintel Structure (Series Part 2)
Commonly seen as a load bearing header over windows and doors, the deceptively simple post and lintel system can require non-trivial design analysis. While span limited due mainly to strength…
Modeling Transportation Efficiency
What is the best method for traveling from point A to point B? This is but another timeless question in civil engineering that transportation efficiency computer models attempt to answer,…
Wood Trusses
For thousands years the use of wood trusses has been an important architectural and structural engineering practice. The concept has been considerably improved over the last 70 years to enable…
