Structural mechanics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Structural mechanics is the computation of deformations, deflections, and internal forces or stresses (Stress Equivalents) within structures, either for design or for performance evaluation of existing structures. It is one of the subset of structural analysis. Structural mechanics analysis needs input data such as structural loads, the structure's geometric representation and support conditions, and the materials' properties. Output quantities may include support reactions, stresses and displacements. Advanced structural mechanics may include the effects of stability and non-linear behaviors.

There are three approaches to the analysis: the Energy Methods, Flexibility method, Matrix stiffness method or Direct Stiffness Method which later developed into finite element method and the Plastic analysis approach.

Contents 1 Energy method 2 Flexibility method 3 Stiffness methods 4 Plastic analysis approach

[edit] Energy method

• Energy principles in structural mechanics

[edit] Flexibility method

• Flexibility method

[edit] Stiffness methods

• Matrix stiffness method
• Direct stiffness method
• Finite element method in structural mechanics

[edit] Plastic analysis approach

• Plastic Analysis

This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.