Civil
What is Inertia and how to Calculate it ?
What is Inertia and how to Calculate it ? Inertia is the property of matter that causes it to resist changes in its velocity. This includes changes to the object’s speed or direction of motion. Inertia is directly related to mass, the greater the mass, the greater the inertia. In simple terms: “An object in […]
How to Calculate Inertia for Standard Shapes
How to Calculate Inertia for Standard Shapes Inertia, specifically rotational inertia or moment of inertia, not only depends on how much mass an object has, but also on how that mass is distributed relative to the axis of rotation. Different shapes have different geometries, which causes their mass to be positioned at varying distances from […]
What is the difference between Torque and Power ?
What is the difference between Torque and Power ? In engineering, torque and power are fundamental concepts that play a critical role in the design, analysis, and operation of mechanical systems. Torque Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object. It determines how much force is acting on an object to […]
The Dynamics of Torque and Power in Rotating Machinery
The Dynamics of Torque and Power in Rotating Machinery In engineering, torque and power are fundamental concepts that play a critical role in the design, analysis, and operation of mechanical systems. Torque, often described as a measure of rotational force, determines how effectively a force can cause an object to rotate around an axis. It […]
What Is The Work-Energy Theorem?
What Is The Work-Energy Theorem? The Work-Energy Theorem is a fundamental principle in classical mechanics that connects the concepts of work and kinetic energy. It provides a powerful tool for analysing the motion of objects without relying solely on Newton’s laws in their force-acceleration form. The principle of work and kinetic energy (also known as […]
How Motion in a Circle Affects System Dynamics
How Motion in a Circle Affects System Dynamics In engineering applications, circular motion is encountered in various systems such as rotating machinery, turbines, gears, flywheels, and vehicle dynamics. Unlike linear motion, circular motion involves continuously changing direction, resulting in dynamic effects that must be analysed to ensure safe and efficient design. Understanding these dynamics is […]
How to Analyse Force as a Function of Time
How to Analyse Force as a Function of Time In the previous post ( Dynamic Effects of Linear Motion) we considered the motion of a body (such as a vehicle or component in a machine) moving in a straight line when the acceleration was changing during the motion. We shall now consider the case where […]
Dynamic Effects of Linear Motion
Dynamic Effects of linear Motion Variable Acceleration Depending on Time In Engineering, motion is often analysed through quantities like displacement, velocity, and acceleration. While many introductory problems assume constant acceleration (like free-fall near Earth’s surface), real-world motion is frequently more complex. One important case is when acceleration changes with time, this is known as variable […]
How to Calculate Bending Stress
How to Calculate Bending Stress When a beam is subjected to loading acting on a plane passing through the beam’s axis, the beam deforms, or ‘bends’. The beam reacts to the external loads with the internal shear force and bending moments. Bending stress is a fundamental concept in structural engineering and mechanics of materials. It […]
How to Calculate Shear Stress
Introduction to Shear Force and Shear Stress Shear force and shear stress are critical concepts in mechanics and materials science, often encountered in structural engineering and manufacturing. Shear Force refers to the internal force in a material that acts parallel to its cross-section. It is measured in Newtons (N). Shear force arises when two opposing […]
How do moments of force affect engineering problems?
How do moments of force affect engineering problems? In our last article, we looked at how we can apply principles of energy and power to engineering problems. Now we’re going to dive into how moments of force can be applied to engineering problems. Moments If we want to describe a force acting on a body, […]
How can we apply the principles of energy and power to practical problems?
How can we apply the principles of energy and power to practical problems? In our last articles, we looked at things like some of the forces that can affect engineering problems, and how we can solve problems involving distance and velocity. Now we’re going to look at how we can solve problems using the principles […]
What are the forces at a point that affect engineering problems?
What are the forces at a point that affect engineering problems? In our last article, we looked at how we can solve practical problems that involve distance and velocity. Now we’re going to look at forces at a point, what they are, and how they can affect engineering problems. Before we jump in, let’s check […]
How can we solve practical problems involving distance and velocity?
How can we solve practical problems involving distance and velocity? In our last article we looked at SI units, what they are and why we use them, giving us a solid introduction to Engineering Science. In this article, we’re going to see how we can solve some practical problems with engineering. Introduction to definitions Before […]
How can we describe SI units?
How can we describe SI units? If you’ve read any of our previous articles, you’ll see that we dive into various engineering topics, such as mechanical resonance or deflection of cantilever beams. In this article, we’re going to learn all about SI units, standard engineering prefix notation, and how we can describe them. Introduction to […]
How can we analyse a single-degree-of-freedom lumped parameter systems with damping?
How can we analyse a single-degree-of-freedom lumped parameter system with damping? In our previous article on undamped vibration, we looked at solving vibration problems with a single degree of freedom. In this article, we’re going to look at systems with damping and how to analyse them. We’ll focus on the mathematical analysis of a single-degree-of-freedom […]
How can we analyse undamped vibration problems.
How can we analyse undamped vibration problems. In our previous article on harmonic motion, we looked at how we can analyse problems involving simple harmonic motion, now we’re going to look at solving vibration problems with a single degree of freedom. Vibration Analysis In vibration analysis, there are two approaches we are interested in. One […]
How do we analyse problems involving harmonic motion?
How do we analyse problems involving harmonic motion? In our previous article on mechanical resonance, we looked at harmonic motion and how it affects structures. Now we’re going to jump into how we can solve issues that involve simple harmonic motion. What is simple harmonic motion? Many systems consist of components that vibrate in the […]
What are mechanical resonance and damping in engineering?
What are mechanical resonance and damping in engineering? In our previous articles, such as our article on axial load-carrying capacity, we focused on buckling and load-carrying calculations. In our next few articles, we’ll move on to focusing on the vibration of structures and how it can affect them. What is vibration in engineering? Let’s dive […]
How can we calculate the axial load-carrying capacity of a reinforced concrete column and classify it?
How can we calculate the axial load-carrying capacity of a reinforced concrete column and classify it? Following on from our previous article on the axial load-carrying capacity of a steel column, we’re going to look at the axial load-carrying capacity of a concrete column and also see how we can classify it. What is a […]
How do we calculate the axial load-carrying capacity of a steel column?
How can the axial load-carrying capacity of a steel column be determined? Following on from our previous article on evaluating the Euler buckling load, we’re going to look at some other calculations we need when looking at buckling of columns. Eccentrically loaded steel column design. The axial force can’t act centrically on the column, so, […]
How do we calculate the Euler buckling load?
How do we calculate the Euler buckling load? Following on from our previous article on evaluating the slenderness ratio in columns, we’re going to look at some other calculations we need when looking at the buckling of columns. Axial Resistance For the axial resistance of a column to be satisfied, the following conditions must be […]
Evaluating the slenderness ratio in columns.
Evaluating the slenderness ratio in columns. Following on from our previous article on buckling failure modes, we’re going to dive deeper into the types of buckling in columns. Column Buckling. Column buckling, or column stability, can be expressed as the failure of load-bearing capacity cause by the effect of pressure. It’s manifested as bending, or […]
What are buckling failure modes?
What are buckling failure modes? In our previous articles on beams, we discussed various types of deflection and how we go about calculating it in various structures. We’re going to pivot into buckling and how it can affect structures. What is buckling? Buckling occurs when a structure, such as a column or strut, is under […]
How do we analyse the deflection of simply supported beams using calculus.
How do we analyse the deflection of simply supported beams using calculus. In our previous article on deflection in simply supported beams, we looked at calculating deflection using standard tables. In this article, however, our focus will be on calculating deflection using calculus. Relationship Between Deflection, Slope and Radius of Curvature As we mentioned in […]
Determine the deflection of en-castre beams.
Determine the deflection of en-castre beams. Following on from our previous article on deflection of beams with a combined load, we’re going to look at deflection in a different type of beam. What is an en-castre beam? En-castre beams, or fixed beams, have fixed supports at both ends. So, they don’t allow horizontal, vertical or rotational […]
Determine the deflection of beams due to combined loads
Determine the deflection of beams due to combined loads If you read our article deflection of beams with a single load, you’ll know about deflection of a beam. Now we’re going to investigate how deflection affects a beam with combined loads. Calculating deflections on a beam with combined loads. Deflections from combined loading on a […]
Determine the deflection of cantilever beams with a single load.
Determine the deflection of cantilever beams with a single load. If you read our previous article on what is deflection, you’ll have some idea of deflection and it’s magnitude. Now we’re going to investigate how we determine deflection. What is a cantilever beam? Cantilever beams are constrained at one end and free at their other […]
What is the deflection of a structure and what determines its magnitude?
What is the deflection of a structure and what determines its magnitude? If you’ve read our previous articles on how to determine forces on a joint or structure, you’ll know that there are many different calculations used in civil engineering. Now we’re going to change direction slightly and take a look at deflection and what […]
How do we analyse the effects of loading on cylinders?
How do we analyse the effects of loading on cylinders? Continuing on in our series looking at the various calculations used in Civil Structural Analysis, we’re going to dive into analysing the effects of loading on cylinders. What is a cylinder? Firstly, what is a cylinder? Many items like steam boilers or large pipes are […]
How to determine the forces acting in pin-jointed frame structures.
How to determine the forces acting in pin-jointed frame structures. We’re going to continue our series of articles on the calculations used to determine various forces and effects by jumping in to another calculation. What is a pin joint. Before looking at the forces acting in a pin joint, we need to know what a […]
Determine the effects of torsional loads on shafts.
Determine the effects of torsional loads on shafts. We’re going to continue our series of articles on the calculations used in civil and mechanical engineering by diving into torsional loads on shafts and their effects. The image below shows a motor supplied with power which causes a shaft to rotate. The rotating shaft causes the […]
Calculating the reaction forces and bending moment distributions in a simply supported beam.
Calculating the reaction forces and bending moment distributions in a simply supported beam. This is the second in a series of articles diving into the various calculations used in civil and mechanical engineering, such as our article on calculating stress. For this one, we’re going to look at reaction forces in a simply supported beam. […]
How to calculate stress for direct loading of components.
How to calculate stress for direct loading of components. If a rubber strip is pulled it stretches, and the more you pull it the more it stretches. There’s a relationship between the extension and the force applied, known as Hooke’s Law, and it can be expressed as a force extension graph: The top graph above […]
Best practice standards used in the construction industry
Best practice standards used in the construction industry. If you’ve read our article on the civil engineering code of conduct, you’ll be familiar with some best practices in construction projects. In this article we’re going to focus on the best practice standards used in the construction industry. What are best practices? In civil engineering and […]
Civil Engineering Code of Conduct
Civil Engineering Code of Conduct If you’ve read our article on sustainable design in a construction project you’ll already be familiar with some ethics around construction. However, there’s a lot more to it than that, and we’ll find out some of the considerations an engineer must think about in this article. Business ethics for engineers […]
What is sustainable design in a construction project?
What is sustainable design in a construction project? Before we can understand sustainable design, we first need to understand sustainable development. Sustainable development The World Commission on Environment and Development defines it as “a strategy that…meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. However, […]
What is a cantilever beam and how can we calculate its deflection?
What is a cantilever beam and how can we calculate its deflection? You may have read our previous article about beams and their deflection. The article talked about deflection in general – what it is and how can it be determined. Now we’re going to dive a little deeper and focus on cantilever beams and […]
What is the magnitude of deflection in beams and how do we determine it?
What is the magnitude of deflection in beams and how do we determine it? When a beam is subjected to a load, it deflects from its original position. In other words, it bends to a certain extent. The amount of deflection depends on the beam’s cross-section and its strength. There are two criteria for […]
Cost management used in construction projects.
How cost management is used in construction projects. You may have read some previous articles about construction projects, and noticed cost management mentioned as being the responsibility of a few different project roles. Cost management is an important part of a construction project to ensure a budget is in place. It also ensures that the […]
What is important in flooring construction?
What is important in flooring construction? In our previous articles we discussed the uses of materials such as timber and masonry in construction. Now we’re going to talk about floors, and what is important in constructing them, including materials. What is a floor? Let’s confirm what a floor is so everyone knows what we’re dealing […]
Key roles in a construction project.
Key roles in a construction project. In a previous article we discussed specifying client needs before we launch into a construction project. But where does the client fit into the project? Is this the only time we see them, and who else is involved? Let’s find out! Collaboration in a construction project Collaboration is crucial […]
Masonry and its uses in construction
Masonry and its uses in construction You’re maybe familiar with the term masonry, and maybe even that it’s used in construction. But many of us aren’t much more familiar that, so let’s dive in and find out more! What is masonry? The materials covered by the term masonry include natural stone, manufactured forms made of […]
How do we go about specifying customer needs?
How do we go about specifying customer needs? In any construction project there will be a customer – the person or organisation who wants the building(s) detailed in the project. It’s the customer who tells us what they want, when, and how much of a budget they might have. It’s easy to see how what […]
What are the different types of construction projects?
What are the different types of construction projects? A construction project is as a series of interrelated construction tasks which are undertaken in a systematic order over a temporary timeframe. It results in the completion of the project and the creation of a tangible product or outcome. The type of processes involved in a construction […]
How timber can be used as a construction material
How timber can be used as a construction material One of the most valuable building materials we have is timber. This is because wood has an internal structure that results in an extremely anisotropic material (properties are different in different directions), making it a typical natural composite material. Although a wide variety of industries use […]
How can buildings be classified?
How can buildings be classified? We spend a lot of time in various structures, more so than we ever do outside. There are different types of buildings we spend our time in and might be involved in constructing, so let’s have a look at how we can classify these buildings. Classification of buildings based on […]