Fundamentals of Structural Engineering Design

Every iconic bridge, high-rise building, and everyday infrastructure project relies on the fundamental laws of structural engineering. Understanding how forces travel through materials is essential for designing safe, stable, and durable structures. This text-based course guides you through the core principles of structural design, translating complex physics into practical engineering decisions. You will start with the essential terminology, foundational concepts, and mathematical basics of structural behavior. From there, you will learn how to analyze forces, evaluate material properties, and design structural members to withstand real-world loads. What you'll learn: Understand core structural concepts including equilibrium, stress, strain, and load paths; Analyze trusses, beams, and frames to calculate internal forces and moments; Evaluate material behaviors of concrete, steel, and wood under tension and compression; Design structural elements to meet safety standards and serviceability limits; Practice calculating dead, live, wind, and environmental loads on a structure; Explore modern sustainable design practices and resilient engineering workflows. This course provides a structured path from basic engineering mechanics to comprehensive structural design calculations. It is designed for beginners, aspiring civil engineers, and students seeking a clear, step-by-step introduction to structural mechanics without any prior engineering background. Start building your foundational knowledge of structural engineering design today.