Most analysis methods we use to study the structure's behavior revolve around three essential concepts; hence, engineers need to understand these fundamental ideas. We will explore an overview of these:
Key Concepts
Equilibrium Principle
The first concept is the equilibrium principle. Students familiar with any Physics class should be familiar with this concept. It deals with the balanced link between the structure's loads and its supports.
Compatibility Conditions
The next concept is compatibility. When a structure stands, there is a default place. Eventually, when loads act on it, it deflects from said place. From this, there is a relationship between the imposed loads and the structure's movement. We study this connection through this idea.
Constitutive Equations
Finally, we have the last. Whenever a load acts on an object, it will change shape - for example, it may elongate or compress. This idea is also the same for structures. We can study such links through this principle.
Summary
The majority of analysis methods in structural engineering revolve around the following concepts: (1) equilibrium principle, (2) compatibility conditions, and (3) constitutive equations.
Equilibrium deals with the balanced link between the structure's loads and its components.
Compatibility condition deal with the relationship between the structure's loads and its movement.
Constitutive equations concern with the connection between structural loads and its deformations.
