MEng Civil Engineering / Course details

This unit introduces the fundamental topics of structural mechanics in the context of both civil and aerospace structures.  The technical focus is on the ideas of equilibrium, stress resultants, stresses and deflections of beams.  This is presented within a context of structural design, with the importance of qualitative understanding of structural behaviour emphasised.

For students to develop the ability to determine load paths, and stress-resultants in statically determinate structures, and the resulting elastic deflections, stresses and strains.

For students to develop an appreciation of the philosophy and requirements of structural design.  

For students  to develop the ability to assess and describe the behaviour of real structures.

• Equilibrium as applied to structures to calculate reaction forces etc.
• Calculation of forces in trusses using the methods of sections and joints
• Bending moments and shear forces in beams and associated diagrams. Both qualitative and qualitative approaches.
• Material behaviour as appropriate to structural analysis.  Concepts of stress, strain, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, elasticity and plasticity.
• Euler beam theory and bending stresses in elastic beams
• Shear stresses in rectangular beams
• Beam deflections using the method of double integration
• Section properties of beams including centroids and second moments of area
• Introduction to torsional behaviour of beams
• Understanding the philosophy of structural design and how to interpret the behaviour and thinking behind existing structures

Other - Assessed tutorial work

Set exercise - Assessed online tests/quizzes

On submitted coursework In tutorial sessions

Continuously through the course in lectures

Automatic feedback from online quizzes