Theory of Structures

Question 1

What is Structural Analysis?

Answer 1

Structural analysis is the
prediction of the performance
of a given structure under
prescribed loads and/or other
external aspects, such as
support movements and
temperature changes.

Question 2

Common Performance Characteristics
in Design of Structures

Answer 2

1. Stresses or Stress Resultant
   - axial forces, shear forces, bending moments
2. Deflections
3. Support Reactions

Question 3

Dawn of History

Answer 3

structures were designed by trial and
error using rule of thumb based on past experience

Question 4

Mid 17th Century

Answer 4

engineers began applying Mechanics
(Math and Science) in designing structures

Question 5

Some of the magnificent structures from earlier eras still
existing

Answer 5

• Egyptian Pyramids (about 300 BC)
• Greek Temples (500 – 200 BC)
• Roman Coliseum and Aqueducts (200BC – AD200)
• Gothic Cathedrals (AD100 – 1500)

Question 6

considered as the originator of the theory of structures

Answer 6

GALILEO GALILEI

Question 7

• The book: Two New Sciences

Answer 7

published in 1638, discussed the analysis on the
failure of simple structures including cantilever
beams and the approximate predictions on the
strength of beams

Question 8

• developed the law of linear relationship between the
  force and the deformation of materials (Hooke’s Law)

Answer 8

18th Century - Robert Hooke (1635-1730)

Question 9

• formulated the laws of motion and developed calculus
  (foundational mechanics)

Answer 9

• Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727)

Question 10

formulated the principle of virtual work

Answer 10

John Bernoulli (1667 – 1748

Question 11

• developed the theory of buckling columns

Answer 11

• Leonhard Euler ( 1707-1783)

Question 12

• presented the analysis of elastic bending of beams

Answer 12

• Charles Agustin de Coulomb (1736-1806)

Question 13

published a treatise on elastic behavior of structures (1st textbook
on modern theory of strength of materials) in 1826.

Answer 13

19th century
Claude Louis Navier (1785-1836)

Question 14

formulated the three-moment equation for the analysis of
continuous beams

Answer 14

Benoit Paul Emile Clapeyron (1799 – 1864)

Question 15

• presented the method of consistent deformations and the law
  of reciprocal deflections

Answer 15

James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879)

Question 16

• developed the conjugate beam method for calculation of
  deflection and Mohr’s circle of stress and strain

Answer 16

Otto Mohr (1835 – 1918)

Question 17

formulated the theorem of least work

Answer 17

Alberto Castigliano (1847 – 1884)

Question 18

• developed the area moment method

Answer 18

Charles Ezra Greene (1842 – 1903)

Question 19

presented a principle for constructing an influence line

Answer 19

Heinrich Muller-Breslau (1851 – 19250

Question 20

developed the slope deflection method (the precursor of
matrix stiffness method)

Answer 20

George A. Maney (1888 -1947)

Question 21

developed the moment distribution method in 1924 (most
widely used by structural engineers between 1930 to 1970)

provided significant understanding on the behavior of
statically indeterminate frames

Answer 21

Hardy Cross (1885 – 1959)

Question 22

• development of the
  revolutionized structural
  analysis using ___

Answer 22

Computers

Question 23

Commonly used structures can be classified into five basic categories

Answer 23

1. Tension Structures
   2.Compression Structures
2. Truss Structures
3. Shear Structures
4. Bending Structures

Question 24

is a simplified
representation, or an ideal, of a real structure
for the purpose of analysis. T

Answer 24

analytical model