This course aims to educate students on issues related to engineering analysis and design components of structures under static loads and thus acquire an understanding of the structural design, constructional and engineering problems associated with the design of buildings. Objectives of the course is to introduce students to the analysis and design of structural elements helping them to learn the basic tools needed to understand structures as a whole, as well as the elements that make up a structure. The relationship between form and structure is examined in order to provide a more complete understanding of the design and construction process and the related technologies (structural, constructional).
Specifically, the general types of structures are considered first (classifications, primary structural units), loads (static and dynamic) and fundamental structural phenomena (stresses and deflections) providing an understanding of how structures stretch, bend and deform in order to carry loads to the ground. Basic concepts and principles of static, are given such as force and moments, resolution and composition of forces, rigid body equilibrium. The course continues with the analysis of simple and complicated statically determinate structures (rods, cables, trusses, beams, frames, three hinged systems, multispan isostatic beams, (Gerber) and complicated isostatic linear structures.