Skip to main content

Questions tagged [structural-engineering]

Questions related to the integrity, design requirements, or analysis of structures.

4 votes
1 answer
6k views

Why is the point of failure load lower than the peak load? [closed]

In a tensile test the peak load was 69kN, but the point of failure load was 60kN. Why is it lower?
Harrison De George's user avatar
15 votes
2 answers
14k views

Why do we even use engineering stress?

Surprisingly this hasn't been asked before, so I must be missing something simple. We use engineering stress and engineering strain in this eq. Stress = (Young's modulus) × (strain). This eq. is ...
Jessica's user avatar
  • 153
7 votes
3 answers
10k views

Can I reduce the column moment due to beam, by setting the beam end to pin?

I have a structure, which contains only frame elements ( beam and column). From what I know, if I apply point load at the columns on both left and right hand side,and if the beam-column joint is ...
Graviton's user avatar
  • 1,264
2 votes
3 answers
3k views

Deflection of a cantilever beam composed of separate (not bonded) planks

In the case of a simple cantilever beam having a uniform shape and being loaded at its end - the calculation of the deflection at any point along the beam is well known. What happens if we split it ...
Yaniv Ben David's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

Can the structural integrity of bridges be measured in real-time for safety?

As a follow up to this question, I wonder if structural integrity monitoring information can be provided real-time and to a sufficient degree that safety decisions can realistically be made from the ...
Mahendra Gunawardena's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
4k views

Why don't we use principal maximum stresses when designing a structural element?

Consider a concrete column is under compression from top loading and also carries some shear stresses. If take a plane 2d element in the column with these stresses and rotate it to the point it gives ...
InstallGentoo's user avatar
9 votes
7 answers
21k views

Steel selection for building a trailer

I'm thinking about building another trailer. I've built lots of smaller trailers in the past, but this time I'd like to build myself a small tandem axle gooseneck rated for 7,500 lbs. I am a ...
jp2code's user avatar
  • 191
8 votes
3 answers
10k views

Why are concrete bridges more prevalent than steel bridges in the United States?

According to the United States 2014 National Bridge Inventory the number of concrete bridges far outstrips the number of steel bridges. Reinforced Concrete: 253,336 Prestressed Concrete: 148,333 ...
CableStay's user avatar
  • 2,760
8 votes
5 answers
2k views

Height limits of brick and mortar tower?

What are the factors limiting the height of a "tower" made of typical fired brick and mortar? By "tower", I mean a structure whos point is to be tall, and can support a human standing on or near its ...
Olin Lathrop's user avatar
  • 11.4k
6 votes
1 answer
793 views

How to derive Equivalent Static Load for irregular structure modeled with FEM?

Building codes such as the Uniform Building Code (UBC) or International Building Code (IBC) require the determination of Equivalent Static Lateral Forces in order to compute $P-\Delta$ effect and to ...
Graviton's user avatar
  • 1,264
4 votes
2 answers
12k views

Multiple Varying cross section beam deflection

How do we calculate the deflection of a cantilever with two or three cross-sections, and different forces acting at the end of each section?
Shinu_John's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Is pin column-beam joint always have less moment, more deflection compared to fixed joint?

I am referring to the answer here: It seems that on a simple structure (The diagrams on the left the images below have fully-fixed connections, while on the right the columns are pinned connections ...
Graviton's user avatar
  • 1,264
4 votes
1 answer
12k views

Why is the Stress vs strain diagram preferable to the Load vs displacement diagram?

I’m really unsure what is the difference between stress vs. strain and load vs displacement graphs and why stress-strain is better. I know that the units are different: stress is in MPa and the load ...
Emmanuelle's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
6k views

Why does a continuous beam have less deflection than a pair of simply supported beams?

Inspired by this question, and also this answer to a separate question. I have two beam models, one with two independent spans (a full hinge), another is a continuous beam over both spans (only ...
Graviton's user avatar
  • 1,264
3 votes
3 answers
619 views

Would a structurally sound pressure cooker be able to withstand an internal vacuum?

Would the body of a normal round pot shaped pressure cooker (built to cook foods at 15 psi) be able to withstand being evacuated down to high-vacuum pressures? Apparently it has been done before: i.e....
norlesh's user avatar
  • 275

15 30 50 per page
1
2 3 4 5
7