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Structural Engineering 101


Axial Load and Axial Force in Structural Analysis

Axial Load and Axial Force in Structural Analysis

An axial load is an external action applied along a structural member’s longitudinal axis. Axial force is the internal section force that…

Types of Supports in Structural Analysis: Reactions, Examples, and Modeling Assumptions

Types of Supports in Structural Analysis: Reactions, Examples, and Modeling Assumptions

Most structural models require supports or boundary conditions to define structural behavior. In structural analysis, however, a support is represented as an idealized boundary condition that…

I-Beam vs H-Beam: Difference, Strength, and When to Use Each

I-Beam vs H-Beam: Difference, Strength, and When to Use Each

Most H-beam vs I-beam comparisons stop at shape: H-beams are wider and heavier, while I-beams are narrower and lighter. That…

How to Calculate and Draw a Shear Force Diagram for Beams

How to Calculate and Draw a Shear Force Diagram for Beams

A shear force diagram shows how the internal shear force V(x) varies along the length of a beam. In practical…

How to Find Overstressed Elements in FEA with Peak Finder

How to Find Overstressed Elements in FEA with Peak Finder

In most FEA workflows, the moment you open a stress contour plot is also the moment you realize how little…

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