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Engineering of Structures: Compression

Engineering of Structures: Compression

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

Instructor: Vicki May

2,792 already enrolled

Included with

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

30 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

30 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll 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

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

17 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

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

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course

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.

Module details

This module introduces you to the topic compression.

What's included

3 videos9 readings2 assignments

3 videosTotal 5 minutes

Reflections4 minutes
What do you think?0 minutes
Why do we care about compression? (Video 00:30)1 minute

9 readingsTotal 110 minutes

From the Instructor's Desk10 minutes
Overview of the Course Concepts 10 minutes
Welcome30 minutes
Syllabus10 minutes
Coursera Code of Conduct10 minutes
Coursera Honor Code10 minutes
What do you think?10 minutes
Owl's Problem Image10 minutes
Glossary10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 15 minutes

What do you think? 10 minutes
Owl's Problem Initial Thoughts5 minutes

This module explores compression in details. It deals with topics such as columns, arches, and other anti-funicular forms. It explores their roles in resisting compression.

What's included

9 videos14 readings11 assignments2 plugins

9 videosTotal 36 minutes

Experimenting with Columns2 minutes
Lesson: Columns8 minutes
Example: Basic Steel Column (Video 06:03)6 minutes
Example: Bone Femur (Video 06:31)7 minutes
Example: Owl's Tree (Video 06:14)6 minutes
Lesson: Anti-funicular Forms (Video 01:13)1 minute
Lesson: Vaults and Domes (Video 01:32)2 minutes
Example: Landscape Arch (Video 04:53)5 minutes
Case Study: Leverone Field House (Video 00:58)1 minute

14 readingsTotal 220 minutes

Build: Columns10 minutes
Column Activity Guidelines Part 110 minutes
Column Activity Guidelines Part 210 minutes
Lesson: Columns10 minutes
Explore: Columns10 minutes
Example: Basic Steel Column10 minutes
Example: Bone/Femur30 minutes
Example: Owl's Tree30 minutes
Example: Washington Monument10 minutes
Lesson: Anti-funicular Forms10 minutes
Explore: Arches10 minutes
Lesson: Vault and Domes10 minutes
Example: Landscape Arch30 minutes
Case Study: Leverone Field House30 minutes

11 assignmentsTotal 95 minutes

Experimenting with Columns: Practice Problem10 minutes
Columns: Practice Problem10 minutes
Columns Simulation: Practice Problem10 minutes
Example: Basic Steel Column: Practice Problem5 minutes
Example: Bone Femur: Practice Problem5 minutes
Example: Owl's Tree: Practice Problem5 minutes
Lesson: Anti-funicular Forms: Practice Problem10 minutes
Explore: Arches: Practice Problem10 minutes
Lesson: Vaults and Domes: Practice Problem10 minutes
Example: Landscape Arch: Practice Problem10 minutes
Columns, Anti-funicular Forms, and Arches10 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 20 minutes

Columns Simulation 10 minutes
Arch Simulation 10 minutes

This module explores how to build anti-funicular forms.

What's included

1 video4 readings4 assignments3 discussion prompts

1 videoTotal 4 minutes

Build Anti-funicular Forms (Video 04:00)4 minutes

4 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Anti-funicular Form Activity Guidelines30 minutes
What You'll Share 10 minutes
Owl's Solution10 minutes
Check Your Understanding 30 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes

Build Anti-funicular Forms: Report Participation5 minutes
Share Your World: Report Participation5 minutes
What Do You Think of Owl's Solution? 5 minutes
Building Anti-funicular Forms Graded Assessment20 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 90 minutes

Build: Anti-funicular Forms (C2)30 minutes
Share Your World (C2)30 minutes
Concept 2 General Discussion30 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(10 ratings)

Vicki May

Dartmouth College

5 Courses9,429 learners

Offered by

Dartmouth College

Learner reviews

5 stars
93.33%
4 stars
3.33%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
3.33%

Showing 3 of 30

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024

The course was really helpful. The numericals involve practical examples, while the explanations and demonstration of key concepts are amazing.

Reviewed on Jan 21, 2025

Professor Vicki was great at explaining all the concepts

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

This course is exceptional for everyone who is interested in structural mechanics, and a great introduction for civil engineering or architecture students to how members carry load.

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