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Civil Engineering Laboratory – Structural


Course Description

Behavior of simple structural elements and systems. Focus on comparison with theoretical results, acceptable discrepancies between experimental and theoretical results, and viable explanations of these discrepancies. Procedures and tools for data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.


Athena Title

Civil Engr Lab Structural


Pre or Corequisite

CVLE 3610


Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

This course demonstrates the behavior of simple structural elements and systems under specified loading. It focuses on measuring appropriate structural properties and their comparison with theoretical results. On completion of this course, the student should be able to: • Test simple structural elements (cables, beams, columns) and systems (trusses, connections) • Recognize load paths and effects of load combinations • Distinguish failure modes occurring predominantly due to tension, compression, bending, buckling and shear • Compare experimental data and inferred results with those available theoretically and explain discrepancies • Construct a simple but complete structural system, test it appropriately and explain its behavior • Write technical laboratory reports


Topical Outline

• Laboratory procedures, rules and safety • Technical report writing and relevant tools of statistical analysis • Direct and indirect tension • Compression • Beam bending • Truss deflection • Frame connection • Buckling • Construction and testing of a simple but complete structural system


Syllabus