About the course

Structural Mechanics is one of the core courses of Civil Engineering Major. This course is divided into two parts and taught by two consecutive semesters in our university. The first part is the fundamentals of structural mechanics, which covers the basic theory and application of structural analysis as it applies to trusses, beams and frames. Topics to chosen from: influence lines; analysis of statically determinate structures; calculation of deflections in statically determinate structures; force method of analysis for indeterminate structures; displacement methods of analysis for indeterminate structures including the slope-deflection method; method of moment distribution. Compared to Part I, the second part serves as an advanced structural mechanics and consists of four specific topics, that is, matrix displacement method; fundamentals of structural dynamics; Stability Analysis of Structures and Ultimate Load of Structures. The course material is presented with an emphasis on idealization, formulation, and solution of analytical models, which make it possible to design and analyze real structures rationally. Through a combination of lectures, students should be well versed in structural analysis and develop a deeper understanding of structural mechanics. Also, problem-solving skills are further developed when the various techniques are thought out and applied in a clear and orderly way. During full course study, emphasis is always placed on developing the student's ability to both model and analyze statically determinate and indeterminate structures and to provide realistic applications encountered in professional practice.

About the teachers

Zhang Dachang is a professor in the college of civil engineering at Nanjing Tech University (NJTECH). He finished his academic studies and received a PHD degree from Chiba University in 2003. He has been teaching structural mechanics course since his appointment at NJTETH. He has a lot of experience of teaching this course and he is popular and loved by students. Now He is in charge of structural mechanics lecture team.

Lai Tao is a lecture in the college of civil engineering at NJTECH. He finished his academic studies and received a PHD degree from Dalian University of Technology in 2017. He also spent two years abroad as a visiting-scholar at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Since his appointment at NJTETH, he has been taking participate in teaching courses for international students. He got award twice from Jiangsu Young Lecture Competition of Civil Engineering Major (2018 third price and 2019 second price).

All materials are contributed by Nanjing Tech University.