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 tension. Tension is one of the easiest forces to understand. It is a pulling force. When we tend to pull an object, it is in tension. Different elements that resist tension in buildings are ropes, cables, and funicular forms. You will study different structures and identify what role tension plays in their designs. The first module explores tension and its importance in building structures. 
The second module explores funicular forms, angles, and bridges. You will understand the role of funicular forms in sustaining tension, how to best design elements and systems that resist tensile forces. You will also recognize the similarities and differences between suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges. The third module explores how to build a cable-stayed bridge. You'll also study the structures of different bridges and share a report on them.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Course 1 of 5 in the

The Engineering of Structures Around Us Specialization

Beginner Level

High school algebra High school geometry

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Define tension
Recognize the role of ropes and cables in sustaining tension
Identify the definitions of the key glossary terms related to tension
Recognize the role of funicular forms in structures

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 1 of 5 in the

The Engineering of Structures Around Us Specialization

Beginner Level

High school algebra High school geometry

Approx. 13 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

973 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

3 hours to complete

Introduction to Tension

3 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 4 min), 9 readings, 3 quizzes

2 videos

Preliminary Material: What Do You Think?19sWhy Do We Care About Tension (Video 3:26)3m

9 readings

From the Instructor's Desk10mOverview of the Course Concepts 10mWelcome10mSyllabus10mCoursera Code of Conduct10mCoursera Honor Code10mWhat Do You Think? Image10mOwl's Problem10mGlossary10m

3 practice exercises

Preliminary Material: What Do You Think?30mOwl's Problem Quiz30mWhy Do We Care About Tension: Practice Problem30m

Week2

Week 2

6 hours to complete

Angles, Funicular Forms, and Bridges

6 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 41 min), 8 readings, 5 quizzes

7 videos

Lesson: Funicular Forms6mLesson: Angles (Video 5:50)5mExample: Owl's Basket (Video 3:35)3mExample: Funicular Form (Video 3:33)3mLesson: Bridges (Video 4:59)4mExample: Owl's Cable-Stayed Bridge (Video 7:00)6mExample: Suspension Bridge (Video 8:58)8m

8 readings

Lesson: Funicular Forms10mExplore: Funicular Forms10mLesson: Angles30mExample: Owl's Basket30mExample: Funicular Form30mLesson: Bridges30mExample: Owl's Cable-Stayed Bridge30mExample: Suspension Bridge30m

5 practice exercises

Funicular Forms: Practice Problem30mAngles: Practice Problem30mExample Funicular Form: Practice Problem30mBridges: Practice Problem30mAngles, Funicular Forms, and Bridges10m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Building a Cable-stayed Bridge

4 hours to complete

1 video (Total 12 min), 4 readings, 3 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.

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Engineering of Structures: Tension

About this Course

What you will learn