Structures I Course Management

Structures I

Course Management
This is an introductory course designed as a progressive sequence of lectures and labs. Each individual will bring a distinct set of experiences and expectations. The first seven weeks are used to develop a common vocabulary which is utilized throughout the remainder of Structures I, II, III and IV. This period should be perceived as both a review of mechanics and an introduction to the distinct philosophy of the course. It does not focus on the mechanical solution of problems, rather on the relationship between structure an space. Each concept builds upon previous material. It is critical that you keep current with the coursework.

Course Team

Dr. Chris H. Luebkeman, Professor (chrisl@mit.edu)
Michelle Apigian, TA (mapigian@mit.edu)
Sabrina Berthelot, TA (brin@mit.edu)
Min Jung Maing, TA (minnie@mit.edu)

Course Meetings
The course is a combination of both lectures and lab sessions. The lecture meets in 3-133 from 0930 - 1100. They will begin promptly at 0935. The lab meet in the Building Technology Teaching Lab, 3-402, unless otherwise indicated. Due to logistics, you must attend the lab in which you aer enrolled unless you make other arrangements with your TA.

Sabrina Berthelot will TA the Tuesday 1900 - 2100 lab
Michelle Apigian will TA the Wednesday 1100 - 1300 lab
Min Jung Maing will TA the Wednesday 1800 - 2000 lab

Course Texts
Required:

Luebkeman, Chris. The Archtiectonics Studio: Structures I. 1996
Petroski, Henry. To Engineer Is Human. Vintage Books, Random House (New York). 1992
Sandaaker & Eggen. The Structural Basis of Architecture. Whitney Library of Design (New York). 1992
Mainstone, Rowland. Developments in Structural Form. Reprint.

Recommended/Supplemental:

Schodek, Daniel. Structures, Second Edition. Prentice-Hall. 1992
Corkill, Puderbaugh & Sawyers. Structure and Architectural Design, Third Edition. Lindsay Industries (Davenport, Iowa). 1984

Others:

Ambrose, James. Building Structures, Second Edition.
Salvadori, Mario. Why Buildings Stand Up.

Course Objectives
to learn about the way in which load-bearing structures have been utilized to define space; to investigate the physical principles which describe their attributes; to develop a basic understanding of the structural behavior of structural systems and of their components; to study the loads which act upon buildings and resulting forces that act within structural elements; to become familiar with traditional and contemporary methods of analysis of these forces; to initiate the development of a vocabulary with which to understand the way in which load-bearing structure is used in architectural design; to build the foundation of a basic understanding to facilitate continued study of Architectonics. A lucid comprehension of the principles of strength and stability will be expected by the end of the course.

Course Content
The course consists of lectures and smaller lab sessions. It is designed to develop the basic analytic tools that are needed to understand, and model, the forces acting upon and within simple structural elements. The behavior of these elements will be extended to gain an insight into the behavior of larger, more complex structural systems. The interaction between structure and space is emphasized throughout the course with visual images included as often as practical. Daily homework, periodic quizzes, a final exam and final building case study are to be anticipated.

Course Evaluation
The evaluation for the course will be based upon the performance assessed from the daily homework problems (approx. 25%), quizzes (20%), labs (25%), and final comprehensive exam (30%).

Homework
Up to three homework problems will be assigned at the end each lecture. They will be assigned based on the progress of the daily lecture and the group. The daily assignments can also be found here.

There is also an example format for electronic submissions with instructions on how to set up the files and directories here.

The problems submitted on paper should be submitted on green or grey Engineer's Calculating Pad. Only one problem should be solved per sheet. Each problem clearly state what is given (including a simple concise sketch) , what is to be determined. Only one of the assigned problems will be collected. The homework is due before the beginning of the lecture. If you anticipate an absence from a lecture, be sure to send the homework with a colleague. Late homework assignments will not be collected or graded. The homework problems will be worth five points each. The answers to all of the problems will be posted.

Quizzes
There will be periodic unannounced quizzes of short duration. They could cover any material covered to date including readings or homework problems.

Final Exam
There will be a comprehensive final exam for this course. It could consist of image identification and interpretation, multiple choice and/or true/false questions, short answer, short problems and/or essays. It will include at least one comprehensive problem in which loads, actions and forces must be determined. Correct interpretation of shear. moment and deflection diagrams can also be expected.

Bring only a calculator, two triangles, a straight edge, an architects scale, writing instruments and one 8.5 x 11 sheet (total of two sides) of handwritten notes (an official "cheat-sheet"). Photocopies are not allowed. These will be turned in with the exam, but will be returned after grading is completed.