Structural Engineering

What is a Structural Engineer? He or she is a person who designs, analyzes and builds structures. Structural engineering, a branch of civil engineering, involves design of structures (e.g. buildings, bridges, etc.) so that they will withstand all anticipated loads and yet be economical to build. What is a Structural Engineer? – Here is a Definition. Structural…

Common place terrestrial materials handling techniques become uncommon once the effects of gravity are no longer Earth normal. Zero gravity, low gravity, and high gravity fields associated with the infrastructure of extraterrestrial life will present unique and probably frustrating challenges. Construction of the infrastructure required for extraterrestrial life will become more challenging with changes from the currently taken-for-granted gravitational…

A degree in structural engineering can be the start of a rewarding civil engineering career for dedicated engineering students. Many areas of specialization are available and qualified graduates may pursue exciting careers with existing structural engineering firms or as independent consultants. Undergraduate Degree Programs                                       Much of the undergraduate coursework required to obtain a degree in…

The US Army Corps of Engineers played a remarkable role in structuring the nation’s parks, lands, waterways, and coastal shorelines. They have also contributed a significant role in wartime situations. Currently the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is mainly known for its construction and maintenance of civil engineering structures such as levees, damns, jetties, and…

Metal fatigue causes failure of structural elements. This fatigue can be a result of over-stress, and the 1842 Versailles train crash was attributed to metal fatigue in one of the axles of the engine. Metal fatigue is quite often caused by repeated stress cycles. Rail axles are vital structural elements that endure the repeated stresses…

Roundabouts in America have come a long way since they were first introduced. Today, traffic conditions have changed, traffic density has increased manifold, and these factors have raised questions about the effectiveness of roundabouts. “Give way before entry” is the principle on which a roundabout is designed. The first roundabout was built in 1960s in…

Any structural design has to be completely effective in the way the structure behaves when subjected to the loads that are expected on it. This requires all forces and their effects to be converted to a common coordinate system so that the overall effect on the structure can be judged. The Importance of Structural Design…

August Wöhler, a German engineer, studied the fatigue characteristics of materials under cyclic loading. His studies resulted in development of S-N fatigue curves for shear stress. The applications of S-N curves, how to use them, and other major aspects related to Wöhler curves are focused on below. S-N curves are two-dimensional curves, plotting cycles of failure (N) and…

Rail transport is the most important medium of transportation across the globe. Railways not only carry passengers, but they also carry goods, emergency services, and army equipment. This article covers the major characteristics of railway transportation. Railways came into existence as early as 6 B.C. The first railway track was 6 kilometers long and it was used…

Earlier blasts reminded us of demolitions of buildings in the US. But now, blasting reminds us of 9/11 and terrorist attacks. Post 9/11, governments have started emphasizing the need for blast containment designs that help in minimizing blast injuries. Terrorism has threatened the internal security of many countries, including the US. In the last decade,…