Basics of Structural Analysis

Introduction

Structural analysis using about high school level physics and maths.

Aim to calculate fiberglass cansat structure

Basic theory

Principle of superposition: linearity. Displacement at location $B$ from forces $P_{1}$ and </math>P_2</math> located at different positions is calculated as $\Delta _{B}=\Delta _{BP_{1}}+\Delta _{BP_{2}}$

The energy principle: $dW=Fd\Delta$ giving the total energy as $W=\int _{0}^{\Delta }Fd\Delta$ which is called strain energy. For linear deformation this gives $U={\tfrac {1}{2}}F\Delta$.

Virtual work principle.

Dead loads, live loads, impact loads (impact factor), wind loads.

Column

Column is a vertical beam.