09-08-2010, 11:01 AM
Dear George85,
Don't limit yourself to space frames which are in actual trusses, usually trusses composed of so many members. Truss members are traditionally solved by matrix analysis using stiffness method, displacement method, etc. With the advent of finite element method (FEM) which are broader in scope and can solve many types of problems than the traditional method, truss members can be modeled as beam elements or truss elements. Thats why, nowadays, structural analysis and design programs such as ETABS, SAP, SAFE, etc. are using finite element method (FEM) in their subroutines. That's why I advise you to study also FEM.
You don't need to study how to program the equations; all you need to do is understand the principles and used ETABS, SAP, etc to solve your problems.
FEM can be applied to any structures, of any size and shape, any complex space frames. Actually even into the field of medicine, meteorology, hydrology and other physical sciences FEM is being applied nowadays.
With regards to your profession, actually I also studied structural engineering for 7 years (5 in BS and 2 in my MS). However, I still like architecture more. You see, if you compare it to a lady, architecture is her physical look, the shape and the outside beauty; whereas structures are the skeletal system or the bones. We admire ladies for their beauty not for their bones! :w00t:
Don't limit yourself to space frames which are in actual trusses, usually trusses composed of so many members. Truss members are traditionally solved by matrix analysis using stiffness method, displacement method, etc. With the advent of finite element method (FEM) which are broader in scope and can solve many types of problems than the traditional method, truss members can be modeled as beam elements or truss elements. Thats why, nowadays, structural analysis and design programs such as ETABS, SAP, SAFE, etc. are using finite element method (FEM) in their subroutines. That's why I advise you to study also FEM.
You don't need to study how to program the equations; all you need to do is understand the principles and used ETABS, SAP, etc to solve your problems.
FEM can be applied to any structures, of any size and shape, any complex space frames. Actually even into the field of medicine, meteorology, hydrology and other physical sciences FEM is being applied nowadays.
With regards to your profession, actually I also studied structural engineering for 7 years (5 in BS and 2 in my MS). However, I still like architecture more. You see, if you compare it to a lady, architecture is her physical look, the shape and the outside beauty; whereas structures are the skeletal system or the bones. We admire ladies for their beauty not for their bones! :w00t: