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Raising a new Generation of Leaders
Introduction to the Basic Concepts
of Structural Mechanics
Dr Oluwarotimi Olofinnade MNSE, Rg. Engr
Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering
Covenant University
• Structural Mechanics is a fundamental branch of engineering
that studies how structures (beams, columns, trusses, frames,
arches, etc.) respond to applied loads.
• It provides the basis for designing safe, efficient, and durable
structures in civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering.
• Structural Mechanics is the application of the laws of
mechanics (statics, dynamics, and strength of materials) to
analyze and predict the behavior of structures under different
types of loading conditions.
• It applies principles of applied mechanics and physics,
including Newton’s laws, to calculate internal forces and
predict if a structure will deform or fail, preventing accidents
and informing design and performance evaluation.
• Key concepts include equilibrium of forces, stresses, strains,
and the use of computational methods like the finite element
method.
Importances of Structural Mechanics
i. Ensures safety of structures against collapse or failure.
ii. Enables economical design by optimizing material use.
iii. Helps in understanding load paths and structural stability.
iv. Forms the foundation for advanced courses such as structural
analysis, design of steel and concrete structures, and finite
element methods.
v. Essential in diverse fields—civil engineering (bridges,
buildings), aerospace (aircraft), mechanical (machines), and
naval (ships).
Basic Concepts
Forces and Loads
• Point Load (Concentrated Load): Acts at a single point.
• Distributed Load: Spread over a length, area, or volume.
• Uniformly distributed load (UDL).
• Uniformly varying load (UVL).
•Dynamic Loads: Impact, wind, earthquake.
What is a Load? Read up on this
Generally, loads acting on civil engineering structures fall
into two (2) major categories:
▪ Dead loads - (Self-weight; of the components of the
structure);
▪ Imposed (live) loads & forces (Live, Wind, Snow, Rain, and
Temperature, Erection loads, Seismic forces & others)
Supports and Reactions
▪ Fixed support: Restrains translation and
rotation.
▪ Pinned/Hinged support: Restrains
translation but allows rotation.
▪ Roller support: Restrains only vertical
translation.
Equilibrium of Structures
❖ Conditions of
equilibrium
(ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0, ΣM = 0).
❖ Statical determinacy
and indeterminacy.
Types of Structures
• Beams (carry transverse loads).
• Slabs – carry transverse loads
• Columns (carry compressive axial loads).
• Trusses (carry axial tension/compression).
• Frames (combination of beams and columns).
• Arches, cables, and shells.
Internal Forces in Structural
Members
When loads are applied, internal
forces develop:
• Axial Force (N): Along the
member’s axis.
• Shear Force (V): Perpendicular
to the axis.
• Bending Moment (M):
Rotational effect due to loads.
• Torsional Moment (T): Twisting
action. These internal forces are essential for structural design because
materials must resist them without failing.
Fundamental Assumptions
• Material is homogeneous and isotropic (same properties in all
directions).
• Structure is initially perfectly rigid but deforms elastically.
• Deformations are small compared to the dimensions of the
structure.
• Loads are applied gradually and statically, unless otherwise
specified.
Methods of Structural Analysis
• Equilibrium method (Statics): Uses conditions of equilibrium.
• Compatibility method: Ensures deformations are consistent.
• Energy methods: Based on strain energy (e.g., Castigliano’s
theorem).
• Numerical methods: Finite Element Method (FEM).
Applications in Engineering
• Designing safe bridges, buildings, and towers.
• Analyzing aircraft wings and car frames.
• Assessing stability of dams, tunnels, and offshore platforms.
• Earthquake and wind-resistant design.
CLASSIFICATION OF STRUCTURE
▪ Frame Structure
▪ Truss Structure
▪ Shell Structure
▪ Arch Structure
▪ Suspension Structure
▪ Mass Structure
▪ Composite Structure
Equations of Equilibrium
• Recall from statics that a structure or one of its members is in
equilibrium when it maintains a balance of force and moment.
• In general, this requires that the force and moment equations
of equilibrium be satisfied along three independent axes,
namely,
Equations of Equilibrium
The principal load-carrying portions of
most structures, however, lie in a single
plane, and since the loads are also
coplanar, the above requirements for
equilibrium reduce to
• For equilibrium, the sum of the vertical and horizontal forces must
adds to zero. Same as the moment forces.
Determine the reactions at the supports for the beam shown.
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Recommended texts
• Strength of Materials (Mechanics of Solid) by Er. R.K. Rajput, 2006, 4th
edition, S Chand Ltd
• Structural Analysis, by R.C. Coates, M.G. Coutie and F.K. Kong, 1990,
Reprint edition, CRC Press
• Structural Analysis by Aslam Kassimali, 2011, 4th edition, Cengage
learning
• Structural Analysis by R.C. Hibbeler, 2012. 8th edition, Pearson Prentice
Hall
• Structural Analysis; in theory and Practice by Alan Williams, 2009,
Revised edition, Butterworth-Heinemann
• Structural and Stress Analysis 2nd Edition, T.H.G. Megson
• Structural Mechanics 5th or 6th Edition by Durka, Morgan & Williams