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Abbreviations:

AOP-Areas of Practice

LAR-Laws & Rules

P.E.-Professional Engineers

 

Explore all PDH CEU CPC CPD and Webinars for Engineers

Element Structural Analysis on an Excel Spreadsheet

Course No. S-4005

Credit: 4 PDH

Course Fee: $115.80 Purchase course

Subject Matter Expert: Richard Campbell, P.E., S.E.

Attention New York Engineers:

This course cannot be taken to fulfill your continuing education requirements for the state of New York since the course does not fall under the category of "Areas of Practice" or "Laws / Rules." For more information, check the New York State Board Requirements.

Attention Ohio Engineers:

This course cannot be taken to fulfill your continuing education requirements for the state of Ohio since the subject matter does not fall within the state guidelines. For more information, check the Ohio State Board Requirements.

Overview

Finite element software and spreadsheet software are two essential tools for structural engineers. This course combines the two into a FE spreadsheet that puts the power of FE method into the versatility of a spreadsheet.

The user is provided with a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that solves FE two dimensional (2D) frame-type structural engineering problems. This spreadsheet is simplistic in comparison to commercial software and much more limited in capabilities, but is completely adequate for many structural building frame-type problems. Most of the course is about how to use the spreadsheet, with a one-chapter overview of underlying theory. I have used the FE spreadsheet for years and it has been invaluable. It is easy to learn if the user is already familiar with spreadsheets and it is much less expensive than commercial FE software.

This course includes:

  • Finite Element (FE) Spreadsheet
  • Instruction on and examples of spreadsheet use
  • A cursory review of underlying theory
  • Discussion of applications, advantages, and limitations of the FE spreadsheet
  • A multiple-choice 20-question quiz to obtain PDH credits

A typical user would be a structural design engineer working with a beam, truss, frame or elastic foundation problems. The user should:

  • Have Excel 5.0 or higher software
  • Have a working understanding of spreadsheet formulas (Visual Basic [VBA] programming and macro skills are not necessary)
  • Be able to create a structural 2D frame model with nodes and members
  • Be aware of matrix mathematics (addition, multiplication and inversion of matrices), although detailed knowledge of matrices is not needed

Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

  • Ability to solve structural frame problems using the provided FE spreadsheet
  • Difference between truss, beam and frame-type members
  • Node vs. member data
  • Local vs. global coordinates
  • Boundary conditions (supports) for stability
  • Methods to check calculated results
  • Basic theory used to solve a FE problem, especially use of matrices
  • Linking spreadsheets for progressive analyses
  • Benefits, uses and limitations of the provided FE software spreadsheet

 

Course

Click on the following link to the PDF document to review the course material before taking the quiz for credit.

Finite Element Structural Analysis on an Excel Spreadsheet

 

Excel Spreadsheet #1 to be used for course calculations

 

Excel Spreadsheet #2 to be used for course calculations

 

Having trouble downloading the PDF file?

If clicking the link does not bring you to the PDF file, then right-click the link. Click "Save Target As" and save on your desktop. To view the file, double-click the icon on your desktop and return to this page to take the quiz. You may want to bookmark this page for your convenience. If you have questions, Live Support Chat can help.

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To receive PDH credit for this course, you must pass a multiple-choice quiz. Click the button below to Purchase Course and Take Quiz. To take the quiz, your computer must be set to accept cookies. See how to check your cookie settings.

 

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