About the course

Architectural Mechanics is a mandatory and disciplinary fundamental course of the major of architectural engineering. The objectives of the course primarily include (a) establishing the mechanical knowledge-base and structure serving as the fundamentals of modern engineering technology, (b) developing students' analytical and problem-solving capabilities via revealing the origin, development and maturing process of subjects such as strength, stiffness and stability of prismatic members, and (c) laying the important mechanical foundation for subsequent mechanical courses and scientific research activities.

Upon completion of the course lectures, students are expected to achieve (1) Analytical capability: (a) deterministic knowledge of the fundamental concepts and methodologies typically employed in mechanics of materials and (b) the elementary skills of abstracting rational mechanical model from engineering practical problems and constructing free body diagrams for subsequent analysis; (2) Calculation capability: (a) decent calculation proficiency on stress, strain, deformation, strength, stiffness and stability; (3) Laboratory Capability: (a) accurate awareness on the fundamental mechanical properties of common engineering materials, (b) the elementary skills for measuring fundamental mechanical properties of materials under the guideline of national measurement standards, (c) the acquaintance on the methodology and principle of electrical measurements, and (d) hands-on experiences on the determination of bending stresses of structures using the method of electrical measurements; (4) Self-learning capability: (a) the capability of comprehending, analyzing and summarizing the knowledge system that have been offered and (b) the necessary skills to actively search and study references about a given subject matter; (5) Communication capability: necessary capabilities of presenting homework and exam solutions in a comprehensive, neat and well-organized manner; (6) Innovation capability: (a) a rewarding habit of independent thinking and thorough investigation focusing on a given topic, (b) the capability to come up with multiple solutions or methodologies, and (c) the ability to simplify, complicate or evolve a given problem.

About the teacher

Dr. Changwen Mi is currently a professor of mechanics  in the school of civil engineering at Southeast University. He received his Ph.D. in solid mechanics from the University of Wyoming, United States, in 2006. His research interests include contact mechanics, nanomechanics, surface and interface mechanics, and physical mechanics. He has authored a few dozens of peer-reviewed journal papers. He has been the primary investigator of a few funded research projects. He regular teaches architectural  mechanics, mechanics of materials, theory of elasticity, among with a few others. More information about Dr. Mi and this course can be found at https://civil.seu.edu.cn/mi.

All materials are contributed by Southeast University.