This course is part of the The Engineering of Structures Around Us Specialization

Vicki May

Offered By

The Engineering of Structures Around Us SpecializationDartmouth College

About this Course

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This course deals with compression. When we push an object, it compresses. Compression is what's going to hold up our building. Arches, vaults, domes, and anti-funicular forms help resist compression. In this course, you will learn about different columns and arches and their role in resisting compression. You'll also build anti-funicular forms. The first module introduces you to the topic compression and familiarizes you with the key terms related to compression. The second module deals with topics such as columns, arches, and other anti-funicular forms. It explores their roles in resisting compression. The final module explores how to build anti-funicular forms.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Course 2 of 5 in the

The Engineering of Structures Around Us Specialization

Beginner Level

High school algebra High school geometry

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Define compression
Identify the definitions of the key glossary terms related to compression
Recognize the role of a column in resisting compression
Recognize the role of an arch in resisting compression

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 5 in the

The Engineering of Structures Around Us Specialization

Beginner Level

High school algebra High school geometry

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Vicki May

Associate Professor

Thayer School of Engineering

1,029 Learners

5 Courses

Offered by

Dartmouth College

Founded in 1769, Dartmouth is a member of the Ivy League and consistently ranks among the world’s greatest academic institutions. Dartmouth has forged a singular identity for combining its deep commitment to outstanding undergraduate liberal arts and graduate education with distinguished research and scholarship in the Arts and Sciences and its four leading graduate schools—the Geisel School of Medicine, the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Introduction to Compression

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 5 min), 9 readings, 2 quizzes

Week2

Week 2

6 hours to complete

Columns, Anti-funicular Forms, and Arches

6 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 36 min), 14 readings, 11 quizzes

9 videos

Experimenting with Columns1mLesson: Columns7mExample: Basic Steel Column (Video 06:03)6mExample: Bone Femur (Video 06:31)6mExample: Owl's Tree (Video 06:14)6mLesson: Anti-funicular Forms (Video 01:13)1mLesson: Vaults and Domes (Video 01:32)1mExample: Landscape Arch (Video 04:53)4mCase Study: Leverone Field House (Video 00:58)57s

14 readings

Build: Columns10mColumn Activity Guidelines Part 110mColumn Activity Guidelines Part 210mLesson: Columns10mExplore: Columns10mExample: Basic Steel Column10mExample: Bone/Femur30mExample: Owl's Tree30mExample: Washington Monument10mLesson: Anti-funicular Forms10mExplore: Arches10mLesson: Vault and Domes10mExample: Landscape Arch30mCase Study: Leverone Field House30m

11 practice exercises

Experimenting with Columns: Practice Problem10mColumns: Practice Problem10mColumns Simulation: Practice Problem10mExample: Basic Steel Column: Practice Problem5mExample: Bone Femur: Practice Problem5mExample: Owl's Tree: Practice Problem5mLesson: Anti-funicular Forms: Practice Problem10mExplore: Arches: Practice Problem10mLesson: Vaults and Domes: Practice Problem10mExample: Landscape Arch: Practice Problem10mColumns, Anti-funicular Forms, and Arches10m

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Building Anti-funicular Forms

3 hours to complete

1 video (Total 4 min), 4 readings, 4 quizzes

About the The Engineering of Structures Around Us Specialization

In this Specialization, you will learn some engineering principles that can be applied to structural systems everywhere: in nature, in furniture, in mechanical and aerospace systems, and in any solid object that resists a load.

Together we’ll explore how structures work, why they were designed the way they were designed, how they support loads, and where forces flow through them. More specifically you will: Learn about funicular forms and how ropes and cables resist tension. Discuss how columns, arches, and anti-funicular forms resist compression. Discover how trusses, beams and walls resist loads. • Sketch the flow of forces through structures. Compare and contrast different structural forms and systems to answer a range of questions such as: Why might an engineer choose a beam over a truss? How do the dimensions of a structure affect its response? How do engineers choose forms and systems to create structures that are both elegant and functional?

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Engineering of Structures: Compression

About this Course

What you will learn