Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
(OP)
I'm an undergraduate and I'm thinking of studying Structural Engineering in graduate school, so I want to be prepared for the worst subjects. As an undergraduate I have these:
*Elemental Theory of Structures
*Mechanics of Materials
*Structural Anlysis
*Concrete Structures
*Structural Design
*Matrix Structural Anlysis
In graduate school I'll have this coming:
*Advanced Structural Analysis
*Continuum Mechanics
*Finite Element Analysis
*Structural Dynamics
*Advanced Concrete Structures
*Advanced Steel Structures
*Foundation Design
Please, any help is welcome, but I want to be able to conclude in which subjects should I focus more.
Thanks!
*Elemental Theory of Structures
*Mechanics of Materials
*Structural Anlysis
*Concrete Structures
*Structural Design
*Matrix Structural Anlysis
In graduate school I'll have this coming:
*Advanced Structural Analysis
*Continuum Mechanics
*Finite Element Analysis
*Structural Dynamics
*Advanced Concrete Structures
*Advanced Steel Structures
*Foundation Design
Please, any help is welcome, but I want to be able to conclude in which subjects should I focus more.
Thanks!






RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
Never did figure those buggers out. Good news, I don't think it hindered me.
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
You could also look for classes related to Project Engineering/Management as they will add value as your career progresses.
gjc
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
Personally, I think it is really important to be solid with your fundamentals, statics, free body diagrams, that sort of thing. Codes are also important but they are continually changing and evolving and over the course of ones career they will probably change quite significantly, at least based on the changes that have occurred over the last 25 years. Hence, I would probably spend less time fretting over the codes and the bookkeeping type of stuff.
Recently, I've been taking more time to get out on these job sites and actually see first hand how well what I've specified on paper is translating into actual construction. I think a hands on approach is important, and I am a firm believer that it can make you better at what you do.
A confused student is a good student.
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuum_mechanics
On that last point my recommendation is to take as many design classes as possible. With the undergraduate classes you listed you have enough theoretical background to be a practicing engineer; the more knowledge of design practices that you can get, the better for you.
As for “Advanced Structural Analysis”, that could mean many things. If it’s another theoretical finite element class then my recommendation is to skip it, for the reasons noted above. Also, you already have a course in matrix analysis under your belt so that box is checked. If the course is a *practicing* finite element class wherein you work with software to solve actual problems, well, that might be worth taking. But if you did some of that in your matrix class then, again, that box is checked. If the course is, effectively, advanced mechanics of materials or advanced structural analysis (as the name suggests), then that would be a good course. But nothing’s as useful as actual design classes, in my opinion.
Overall that course selection looks excellent. My recommendation is to consider replacing continuum mechanics with something more useful (unless you are, indeed, interested in the theory) and to take no more than one additional finite element class. And by “additional” I mean additional to the matrix class you’ve already had. So, if “Advanced Structural Analysis” is a FEM class then it is superfluous.
Overall, though, that’s quite a good selection of courses you have. Good luck.
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
I would take all the classes you list in graduate including foundation design if that is what it actually is, and not a soil mechanics class like my "foundation design" class turned out to be. I might switch continuum mechanics for an additional concrete class if available.
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
I agree with everyone regading the importance of the analysis classes. In consulting, you have to rely on computer programs to be competitive and profitable, but you need to make sure you know what you are doing.
I look back at the course material of the "hard classes", and they are much easier to comprehend ten years removed from school.
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Structural Engineering most difficult subjects
When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.
-R. Buckminster Fuller