About intuitivestructure LImited

Course type 

Theoretical and application‐orientated.

Target audience 

Structural graduates to senior engineers but engineers at all levels will benefit from this course

Duration 

Two days - 14 hours total 

Language 

English 

Description of course content 

The objectives of the course are the   development of an understanding of structural behaviour, adequate modelling of the structure prior to the computer analysis and development of a critical

attitude to the output of computer analysis.

Topics 

Structural engineers continue to be taught to approach analysis by numerical algorithms. This approach does not help and in many cases hinders engineers to develop the intuition and ”feeling” for the response of the structure to load, which is an essential skill for the structural engineer. 

It is clear from a long-term study that such an understanding is not the inevitable consequence of the numerical   approach to analysis and design.

The course will develop an intuitive understanding of structural behaviour, to permit appropriate modelling of the structure prior to the computer analysis and the ability to assess and check the output without reliance on the traditional mathematical approach. 

The ability to understand structural behaviour intuitively and graphically is more critical than ever due to the prevalence of powerful analysis software which can analyse and size elements for large 3D models including entire building frames.

The techniques learned during this   course will help to protect the engineer, their practice and ultimately the safety of the public from either the misuse or misunderstanding of the computer.

Lessons 

· An intuitive understanding and the qualitative (non-numerical) graphical analysis of structures

· A recap of the key theorems in structural analysis - equilibrium and elasticity

· First and second order theorems of analysis

· Interpreting computer output

· Case studies

· Self‐assessment

· Qualitative analysis of beams

· Qualitative analysis of frames

· Solutions to collaborative practice problems for beams and frames

· The computer as a tool in the design process 

By the end of the course, attendees should be able to:

• Apply powerful, qualitative (non-numerical) techniques to the        solution of a range of framed structures
• Apply checking protocols for computer output and establish a        reliable interpretation of the results
• Apply the qualitative approach to the approximate analysis of structures as an aid to the creation of the structural model
• Utilise the knowledge gained to develop and practise these skills        in the design office.

The course will reinforce an understanding of structural theory. It will also inspire confidence and enthusiasm for our great profession. 

Course material 

The course is based on presentations   made for the course.

Teacher 

Mark Moppett BSc CEng FIStructE

Course Type

Theoretically and application-oriented.

Target audience

From Graduate to Senior Structural   Engineers preparing to sit their IStructE Chartered Membership Exam. 

Duration

Two days - 14 hours total

Language

English

Description of course content

At the end of the course, delegates should be able to scheme design, by simple ’rules of thumb’ and basic hand calculations, an entire building in concrete and steel (including foundations) whilst linking back to the pitfalls in computer modelling. The course also assesses a number of existing buildings including those reliant on masonry and timber.  Delegates will be able to configure and explain major systems of maintaining overall stability and be able to reduce complex structures to a simpler form. 

Topics

The dominance of the computer in the design office has made a high level of numerical analytical skills redundant. With the power of analytical software on each desk, every engineer is able to analyze virtually any structure. This now presents new challenge to those responsible for training of young engineers.

This course will empower young   engineers by teaching them how to develop a structural scheme including   configuring stability and sizing all principal elements in steel and   reinforced concrete for a variety of building types. This will mean that they   stay in control when using computer applications because they will be able to   anticipate element sizes and so recognize when a computer-generated element size is wrong. 

Consequently they will be able to use the computer to refine their design starting from a sound base. 

The course also appraises a variety of structures (with case studies) to encourage a deeper understanding of how they work. 

Advice and direction is given with the modelling process and the interpretation of the results. 

Lessons

· Scheme design

· Element and foundation design Fundamental behaviour of structural elements

· Stability elements

· The behaviour of three-dimensional structures 

· Look, interpret and explain the behaviour of real structures 

· Reduce complex structures to simpler forms

· Case studies

Course material

The course is based on presentations   made for the course. 

Teacher

Mark Moppett BSc (Hons) CEng   FIStructE