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MITx: Elements of Structures

An introduction to the strength of materials, this course will teach you to understand and predict the mechanical response of deformable solids like rods, beams and shafts using computational analysis.

12 weeks
10–12 hours per week
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Started Jul 23
Ends Oct 15
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Elements of Structures

About this course

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This online course from the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering introduces principles of structural analysis and mechanics of materials for understanding and predicting material behavior under stress.

You will learn fundamental concepts of continuum mechanics, including internal resultants, displacement field, stress, and strain, with applications to three essential types of elastic load-bearing elements: bars in axial loading, axisymmetric shafts in torsion, and symmetric beams in bending.

While emphasizing analytical techniques, the course also introduces computing environments using MATLAB and numerical methods (Finite Elements).

This is the first course in a 3-part series which explores how mechanical engineers use analytical methods and calculations to predict structural behavior. The three courses in the series are:

  • Part 1 – 2.01x: Elements of Structures. Elastic response of Structural Elements: Bars, Shafts, Beams.
  • Part 2 – 2.02.1x Mechanics of Deformable Structures: Part 1. Assemblages of Elastic, Elastic-Plastic, and Viscoelastic Structural Elements.
  • Part 3 – 2.02.2x Mechanics of Deformable Structures: Part 2. Multi-axial Loading and Deformation. Energy Methods.
    Based on the first subject in solid mechanics for MIT Mechanical Engineering students, these undergraduate-level courses will teach you to rely on the notions of equilibrium, geometric compatibility, and constitutive material response to ensure that your structures will perform their specified mechanical functions without failing.

At a glance

  • Institution: MITx
  • Subject: Engineering
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Prerequisites:
    • Multivariable Calculus
    • Physics: Classical Mechanics
    • (Derivatives, Integrals (1D, 2D), Vectors, Forces, Torques)
  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Thermal Management, MATLAB, Pressure Vessel, Structural Analysis, Displacement (Fluid), Mechanical Engineering, Solid Mechanics, Deformation, Mechanics, Continuum Mechanics, Viscoelasticity, Analytical Techniques

What you'll learn

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In this course, you will:

  • Use free body diagrams to formulate equilibrium equations
  • Identify geometric constraints to formulate compatibility equations
  • Understand the concepts of stress and strain at a material point.

For three fundamental types of slender structural elements (elastic bars, beams and shafts) you will learn:

  • To calculate internal stress and strain fields in the loaded elements
  • To predict the deformation in the loaded elements
  • To design structural elements so as to prevent failure
  • To use numerical methods (MATLAB) in structural engineering application

Syllabus

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Week 1: Introduction and Preliminaries
Introduction, Review of Forces and Moments, Review on Integration, Introduction to MATLAB.

Week 2: Axial loading I
Equilibrium in 1D. Free body diagrams. Internal force resultant. Normal stress and strain. Compatibility. Structural response for statically determinate bars in axial loading.

Week 3: Axial loading II
Response of inhomogeneous bars with varying cross section. Statically indeterminate problems.

Week 4: Quiz 1 (Axial Loading)

Week 5: Torsion I
Shear stress and strain. Internal torque resultant. Structural Response for statically determinate circular shafts in torsion.

Week 6: Torsion II
Response of inhomogeneous shafts with varying cross section. Statically indeterminate problems.

Week 7: Quiz 2 (Torsion)

Week 8: Bending I
Internal bending moment resultant. Curvature and neutral axis. Stress and strain distribution. Structural Response for statically determinate symmetric beams in bending.

Week 9: Bending II
Response of inhomogeneous beams with varying cross section. Statically indeterminate problems.

Week 10: Quiz 3 (Bending)

Learner testimonials

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"This was an outstanding and truly enjoyable course...Didactic (and fun) video lessons; concise and clear board notes; problems and quizzes with outstanding (and very professionally presented) answer sections, which were very helpful to consolidate the acquired knowledge...Being a senior engineer who spent most of his career in management, it makes me really envious of the possibilities that current students, from all over the world, have to attend top classes as this one."

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: I am a little rusty on my calculus skills and physics foundation; will I be able to succeed in this course?
A: Probably yes! During the first week we review all the concepts needed to understand the course material.

Q: Is this course similar to a residential course at MIT?
A: Yes, the three course series covers the same material taught in the MIT residential course 2.001: Mechanics and Materials I (the first core course in mechanical engineering typically taken the first semester of sophomore year)

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

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