Teaching Arches in Structural Analysis Courses Basics and Tutorials Free PDF Download Link

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS ARCHES TEACHING
Structural Analysis Tutorials

Abstract - This paper reports on an experience carried out by the author to include the topic of Arches in a course on Structural Analysis II.  The paper shows that the most popular textbooks do not address the topic, by considering the number of pages dedicated to arches.

A strategy was implemented in which the instructor motivated the students to investigate about arches, with emphasis on their structural importance, their historical importance, their present day importance, and their esthetic importance.

The students carried out projects in which the arches were analyzed by means of frame elements. The five structural themes were the numerical modeling of arches using frame elements, analysis of Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals, arch-supported bridge, and arch-suspended bridge. The evaluation of the experience was based on a questionnaire and showed highly positive results.

INTRODUCTION

Arch structures have a double feature in terms of civil engineering education: On the one hand, they have been used throughout the history of architecture as a main structural component. This is also true of present day construction, in which arches play a major role in the design of bridges, some building types, and other structures.

On the other hand, they are neglected by the civil engineering curricula throughout the nation. Arch structures could (and should) be taught in Structural Analysis, a course that is obligatory in all civil engineering programs.

In some schools there are two Structural Analysis courses (at the University of Puerto Rico they are INCI 4021 and INCI 4022, with a total of 6 credits), while other schools teach one course with 3 or 4 credits. First, this paper contains a review of 20 books on structural analysis, in order to show that an average of only 2% of the texts is dedicated to arches.

Second, the paper illustrates the arguments used by this instructor to highlight the historic and contemporary importance of arches in real structures. Having established the importance of this neglected topic, the paper reports on strategies to insert the analysis of arch structures by modeling them use frame elements.

ARCHES IN STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS BOOKS

The first stage in this work was the identification of what topics about arches were covered in textbooks on structural analysis, at least those more commonly used in civil engineering courses in the USA. A list of books is given in the appendix, including the identification of the book  (title, authors, publishing house and year of publication), the coverage of arches (pages dedicated to arches, total number of pages, the ratio of arch pages to total number), and some comments about what special contents were covered (for example, only isostatic problems, only a definition of arch is given, the cover page of the book has an arch, etc.).

The total number of pages in each book excludes Appendix, Bibliography, Index. The pages dedicated to arches include pages in which arches are mentioned. A total of 21 books were examined. In 8 books there was no mention of arches, and in 4 other cases the number of pages was less than 1% of the total number in the book. In 6cases the pages of arches were between 1 and 2%. In 3 cases the book dedicated between 2 and 5% to arches, although mainly to isostatic arches.

The main conclusion is that arches are not covered in any detail in structural analysis books, for reasons that are not explained in the books.

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APPLICATION OF STAAD IN ESP STRUCTURE DESIGN FREE PDF DOWNLOAD LINK

STAAD APPLICATION IN STRUCTURE DESIGN TUTORIALS FREE PDF
Staad Information and Basic Tutorials

INTRODUCTION

In the thirties last century, China imported electrostatic precipitator for the first time, times go to the sixties last century, Chinese began study the ESP; and came to seventies, Chinese had their own design of ESP basis on the mode. China imported several kinds the newest ESP technique again in eighties.

In the end of last century, they had almost all kinds of ESP, China became a really big country not only it’s own technique, but also the quantity of ESP which in use. In this significant progress process, the computer technology play a very important role, for example, Fluent used in CFD to model gas distribution, SCILAB using in emulation ESP, ATUTOCAD and PROE using in engineering drawing and three dimensions model,  STAAD and ANSYS integrate software in ESP design, all of  this gave a great push to the ESP technique improvement. 

STAAD is professional steel structure design software, it is very specific, and easy to use, it built-in several countries steel structure specifications, and was favorite by engineers. This article introduces the application of STAAD in ESP structure design

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF STAAD

STAAD（Structural Analysis And Design）is a patent program which shared by Research Engineers International in California America. STAAD features a state-of-the-art user interface, visualization tools, powerful analysis and design engines with advanced finite element and dynamic analysis capabilities.

From model generation, analysis and design to visualization and result verification, STAAD is the professional’s choice for steel. Categorized load into specific load group types like dead, wind, live, seismic, snow, user-defined, etc.

Automatically generate load combinations based on standard loading codes such as ASCE, ACI, LRFD, BOCA, IBC, UBC, GB, etc. Automatic wind load generator for complex inclined surfaces, irregular panels and multiple levels also taking into consideration user-defined panels.

STAAD's User Interface is the industry standard. Complex models can be quickly and easily generated through powerful graphics, text and spreadsheet interfaces thatprovide true interactive model generation, editing, and analysis.

STAAD easily generates comprehensive custom reports for anagement, architects, owners, etc. The STAAD Structure Wizard contains a library of trusses and frames. Use the Structure Wizard to quickly generate models by specifying height, width, breadth and number of bays in each direction.

Reports contain only the information you want, where you want it. Add your own logo as well as graphical input and output results. Export all data to Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel.

3B3  STAAD’S TYPICAL PROCESS

STAAD is a intelligent software for steel structure design, the main process is model generation, loading, analysis, criterion check, drawing, repeat design and optimize, then get the safety, reliable, reasonable and economy steel structure.

All the data of model and analysis storaged in a text file with suffix of .STD, this file can be changed by GUI or Editor. STAAD engine analysis STD, the result was storaged in the file suffix of like ANL, BMD, TMH, etc.

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