Structural Analysis 15 PDH Discount Package
Courses in this Package
Finite Element Structural Analysis on an Excel Spreadsheet (S04-003)
Protecting Homes from High Wind Damage (S02-017)
Safe Rooms and Shelters - Structural Design Criteria (F05-004)
Structural Design Criteria for Raised Floor Systems (S04-013)
This online engineering PDH course demonstrates how to perform Finite Element Structural Analysis on an Excel Spreadsheet. Conventional thinking is that Finite Element (FE) analysis is complex and requires expensive commercial software. Finite element software and spreadsheet software are two essential tools for structural engineers. This online engineering PDH 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. The spreadsheet is used to teach all the steps in a finite element problem. The entire problem is inclusive on one spreadsheet; the user can see input, formulas, intermediate calculated values, and output on one sheet. This makes it easy for the user to follow the steps in the problem solution, while the spreadsheet handles the data.
This 4 PDH online course is applicable to structural design engineers working with a beam, truss, frame or elastic foundation problems. The user is expected to:
- have Excel 5.0 or higher software
- have a working understanding of spreadsheet formulas (Visual Basic 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.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- The characteristics of truss, beam and frame-type members
- The characteristics of node data & member data
- The difference between local coordinates & global coordinates
- Various methods to check calculated computer results
- The difference between continuous versus discretized systems
- The basic assumptions underlying FE theory
- Various methods to simplify complex FE problems
- The theory used to solve a FE problem
- The benefits, uses and limitations of the provided FE spreadsheet
In this professional engineering CEU course, you need to review the course document titled “Finite Element Structural Analysis on an Excel Spreadsheet”. In addition, you need to review the two Excel spreadsheets for structural calculations associated with this course.
Excel Spreadsheet 1: FEM 16N 37M (627 KB)
Excel Spreadsheet 2: FEM 5Node 5Mem (143 KB)
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.
This online engineering PDH course will introduce you to the principles and practices of protecting residential structures from high winds. This course demonstrates that some seemingly minor areas of weakness could provide a path for high winds to enter the home and cause serious damage. The course presents remedies for the most common weaknesses and the highest priority preparations for high winds.
A team of experts examined homes that had failed and homes that had survived damage from Hurricane Andrew. It has been found that once high winds penetrate the building envelope (outer shell) of the home, the likelihood of significant structural damage to the home greatly increases. The team of experts identified common areas that should be checked for weakness: roof, doors, windows, garage doors (where applicable), roofing systems, and external insulating finishing systems (EIFS). Gable roof systems were also found to be more likely to suffer damage during a high wind event. Each area of weakness identified in this course also includes simple and effective remedies which increase the chances of a home surviving the storm with less damage.
This 2 PDH online course is intended for engineers, architects, contractors, and homeowners who are interested in gaining an understanding of the benefits of proper preparation for high winds. Additionally, this course could be useful as a guide for implementing a storm preparation plan or a maintenance plan.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Awareness that protecting the home does not decrease the urgency to evacuate
- Understanding the importance of protecting the building envelope
- Learning the common areas of weakness in residential structures during high wind storms
- Learning about the remedies for the common areas of weakness in a structure
- Learning how to prepare the home for high winds
- Learning how to prepare the property around the home for high winds
- Realizing the role of regular home inspections in reinforcing homes against high winds
- Realiziing the role of routine home maintenance in reinforcing homes against high winds
In this professional engineering CEU course you will need to review the FEMA Publication titled, "Protecting Your Home from Hurricane Wind Damage" which is based on a compilation of several FEMA articles.
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.
This online engineering PDH course discusses explosive threat parameters and measures needed to protect shelters from blast effects. Structural systems and building envelope elements for new and existing shelters are analyzed; shelters and FEMA model building types are discussed; protective design measures for the defined building types are provided, and design guidance and retrofit issues are presented. The purpose of this course is to offer comprehensive information on how to improve the resistance of shelters when exposed to blast events.
This 5 PDH online course is applicable to engineers, planners, architects, landscape designers, construction and operations personnel, security and law enforcement agents, as well as consultants and contractors who are in gaining a better understanding of the structural design criteria of safe rooms and shelters.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Understanding explosive threat and blast effect parameters
- Learning the various methods of hardened construction
- Design of new construction vs. retrofitting existing buildings
- Familiarizing with the different FEMA shelters and model building types
- Determining adequate design and construction of buildings exposed to various forces
In this professional engineering CEU course, you need to review Chapter 2 "Structural Design Criteria" of the FEMA Publication tilted, "Safe Rooms and Shelters" (FEMA 453).
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.
This online engineering PDH course presents the structural design criteria for raised floor systems. A raised floor system is an assembly of beams, girders, joists, and sheathing panels comprised of various engineered wood framing products, all properly sized and connected together. A raised floor system is designed to elevate the living space of a structure off the ground, isolating it from moisture and pests.
The flexibility of a raised floor system provides several advantages during the construction phase. For example, a raised floor system constructed on a pier-and-beam foundation is less disruptive to the natural surroundings than a slab-on-grade foundation. Another advantage is in regards to flooding. A raised floor system provides a practical and affordable solution to building code requirements in flood-prone areas.
This 4 PDH online course is applicable to structural engineers, design and construction professionals, and other technical personnel who are interested in gaining a better understanding of the structural design criteria for raised floor systems.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Understanding the advantages of using raised floor systems
- Learning about the different type of footings and foundations used in raised floor construction
- Familiarizing with soil considerations
- Learning about moisture and pest control
- Understanding the different framing details for raised floor construction
In this professional engineering CEU course, you need to review the Southern Pine Council's publication titled: "Raised Floor Systems - Design and Construction Guide" (2004). The referenced document is reproduced by permission of the Southern Pine Council.
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.