2024-2025 Academic Catalog

ENGR 311 Matrix Methods for Structures

This course introduces students to matrix methods for analyzing determinate and indeterminate plane truss and plane frame structures, and how these methods are implemented on a computer. The programming architecture used in modern structural analysis programs is presented. This includes: 1) Input of the geometry of the structure, material properties of members, and loads; 2) assembly of the system equations to be solved; 3) solving the system equations for basic unknowns; 4) recovering values of interest from the values for the basic unknowns; and 5) generating output of the results. Students work with the instructor to develop programs to analyze a resistive electrical circuit network, a plane truss, and a plane frame. The programs are tested using problems that have solutions available to test the programs.

Credits

1

Prerequisite

A grade of "C-" or better in ENGR 303.

Corequisite

Take ENGR 310 or consent of the instructor not to.

Offered

Annual Spring Semester