The principles of Structural Engineering apply to objects all around us. Trees transfer loads from their leaves down to their roots, human bodies have a complex structural form designed to resist static and dynamic forces, and designs of man made objects are painstakingly considered so we can enjoy a built environment that does its job.
This site is a resource for anyone who wants to gain an insight into structural design. We look at simple objects to illustrate these principles, with the idea of giving the reader/viewer a qualitative understanding of what's going on.
Our analysis is by no means comprehensive or perfect, and we welcome any feedback, positive or negative that visitors may have. Just leave a comment at the bottom of the page in question.
Remember, some of the questions we'll be touching on have no single solution. Our aim is not to offer a prescriptive guide to how these objects work but to inspire people to analyse the world of structures with confidence and a sound basis, and maybe even add to what we've started.