Structural Engineering

The Golden Gate Bridge has been incorporated with all the requisite safety aspects. The effects of enormous wind forces have been taken into account by an accurate design of the bridge elements. The suspension cables, tower, and the anchors have been designed to bear all probable loads. History of Golden Gate Bridge The Golden Gate…

Track clasping has forever been an erratic occurrence resulting in expensive derailments. This article actually describes a method of calculating the stresses in the railway track and adopting the same. This has helped in averting accidents to some extent. Read on to get an idea of rail stresses…. Introduction The complex structures of a railway…

Coning of wheels is a method of beveling the wheels to avoid depreciation to the wheels and rims. Normally the wheels are conned by a cone of semi-angle. It is based on the theorem of coning. Read on to get more idea………… Introduction Railway wheels are usually beveled by means of a cone semi-angle of the arrangement of 1/20…

Cone crushers reduce large rocks into smaller sizes for further use in construction. Several types of crushers are used for this purpose, and the cone crusher is an important type that is efficient, stable, and safe. Purpose of a Crusher                                   A crusher is a mechanism that is intended to cut big rocks into small sizes, or rock…

There are several types of cranes that are used in the construction industry, in the lifting of heavy consignments, and in the manufacturing industry for lifting and movement of heavy loads. Safety precautions should be observed while lifting and moving loads to ensure crane stability. What Is a Crane                                            A crane is normally fitted with…

A continuing series of articles on fundamental structural engineering analyses. Stress Isn’t Always Normal                         The last article discussed tensile and compressive stresses as useful structural engineering calculations. These are examples of axial, or normal, stresses developed perpendicular to the surface plane or area of interest. The shear stress experienced in a structural member or assembly…

A flying buttress may sound like military aircraft, but actually is a structural stonework support popularized during the Gothic era. By transferring lateral forces of ceilings and tall walls through an arch to massive columns located externally, larger interior open spaces could be realized. Arc-Boutant Is Not Served With A Latte                  A simple buttress is a form of…

The jackhammer is a versatile drill that may be powered hydraulically, electrically, or pneumatically. It is used for drilling rocks, breaking pavement, and other work that needs violent hammering. It functions like a chisel and hammer by poking with the bit, and not a rotary motion. Basics of Jackhammers                                Jackhammers are drills that are generally…

The U.S. Steel Tower and PPG Place are two very different buildings to look at in downtown Pittsburgh. However, they do have one thing in common: both structures were created to showcase the materials that they were made of, which make them interesting from an engineering perspective. PPG place is rightly called “the crown jewel…

What do pasta, muscles, and a roof truss have in common? They all can be strained, although only one experiences structural engineering strain. A continuing series of articles on fundamental engineering analyses. We’ll Cross That Bridge….                    Previous articles introduced the concept of stress as a fundamental engineering calculation. Another useful analysis determines the deformation, or…