Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/engineering-of-structures-tension
In the world of structural engineering, understanding forces is paramount. While compression might often steal the spotlight, the often-underestimated force of tension is equally crucial in the design of many iconic structures. Coursera’s ‘Engineering of Structures: Tension’ course offers a deep dive into this fundamental concept, and I recently had the pleasure of completing it.
This course, as its name suggests, focuses squarely on tension – the pulling force that comes into play when we stretch or pull an object. It’s presented as one of the most straightforward forces to grasp, and the course effectively builds upon this simplicity to explore its complex applications in real-world engineering.
The syllabus is thoughtfully structured, starting with a solid foundation in the ‘Introduction to Tension.’ This module clearly articulates why tension is so vital in building structures, laying the groundwork for more advanced topics. It’s an excellent starting point for anyone new to structural mechanics or looking to solidify their understanding of basic principles.
The second module, ‘Angles, Funicular Forms, and Bridges,’ is where the rubber meets the road. Here, the course delves into the fascinating world of funicular forms – shapes that efficiently distribute tensile forces. You’ll learn how these forms are crucial for sustaining tension and how to best design elements and systems that resist these pulling forces. A particularly insightful comparison is made between suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges, highlighting their similarities and differences in how they utilize tension.
Finally, the ‘Building a Cable-stayed Bridge’ module provides a practical, albeit theoretical, look at constructing these magnificent structures. It goes beyond just the ‘how’ and encourages students to analyze existing bridge structures, fostering a critical eye for design and application. The requirement to share a report on different bridges adds a valuable research component.
Overall, ‘Engineering of Structures: Tension’ is a well-paced and informative course. The explanations are clear, and the examples provided are relatable. While it’s an introductory course, it offers enough depth to provide a solid understanding of tension’s role in structural design. I would highly recommend this course to aspiring engineers, architecture students, or anyone with a curiosity about how the structures we rely on every day are engineered to withstand forces.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/engineering-of-structures-tension