• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Lee L. Lowery, Jr., PhD, P.E.
  • Research
  • People
  • Contact

Lee L. Lowery, Jr.

Just another CoE WordPress site

Texas A&M University College of Engineering

CVEN 345-501 Syllabus

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Abigail Stason

THEORY OF STRUCTURES (CRN 10979)
Fall 2016 – C.E. Room 110
MWF 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING SYLLABUS IS LAST SPRING’S AND HAS TO HAVE THE DATES CHANGED, AS WELL AS OTHER CORRECTIONS. CHANGES WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE MADE DEPENDING ON HOW QUICKLY WE CAN COVER THE ASSIGNED MATERIAL. PLEASE CHECK FOR CHANGES IN THE ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES BEFORE WORKING YOUR NEXT HOMEWORK PROBLEMS.
THE FOLLOWING SYLLABUS IS HERE EARLY JUST TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT TEXT WE WILL BE USING, THE APPROXIMATE QUIZ DATES, ETC. NOTE ALSO THAT AS I CHANGE THE SYLLABUS, YOU WILL HAVE TO RELOAD IT, OR IT WILL GIVE YOU THE ONE YOU LOOKED AT LAST WEEK, FROM YOUR COMPUTER’S CACHE, I.E. THE OLD OUT-OF-DATE ONE.

FAQ: Quick answers to student questions

Professor: Lee L. Lowery, Jr., PhD, P.E.

Office: CVLB Building (above the Pi*R2, Room 701C
Phone: 979-845-4395 (Office), 979-775-5401 (Home)
e-mail: Lowery@tamu.edu

Office Hours:

NOTE: My office hours as listed here are suspended on days before a major exam, giving me time to make it out.  Please do not wait until the day before a major exam for help.  Plan to see the tutors, or me earlier in the week.

Grader:  Email questions regarding homework grades only –  

Teaching Associate:   

HELP DESK – Tutoring will be done by 5 graduate students. They are located in the Old Civil Engineering Building Room 030.  Go down the stairs to the basement, turn right, it is the first door on your right.  All of them are capable of tutoring you in CVEN 345. Just ask whoever is there for help.  Click here for the TA help desk schedule, who will be covering each time slot and hours of operation.

Click here for their hours (not yet posted for Spring 2016), which run from 8 AM to 7 PM except on Friday.

Textbook: The textbook is excellent – one of the best:  Kassimali, Structural Analysis. 5th Edition. CENGAGE Learning. 

Looking for a used textbook?

5th edition 2014
ISBN Number

  • 1133943896 (10 digit) or

  • 9781133943891 (13 digit)

Note that less expensive International Editions are often available, but they are sometimes in all SI units, whereas in the U.S. edition, all example problems and half of the homework problems are U.S. customary units.  For the 5th edition, I have found that an international edition is available the same as ours, except sometimes the homework problem numbers are changed.

Texas A&M University Bookstore  Fill in the Department, Course, and section number
CampusBooks4Less.com – Turns out that their International edition last semester was identical to the U.S. edition that we are using.  I just bought it.  Cost ~ $43 new, paperback, no color.  Check the ISBN number carefully, and be ready to return it.  These can be a gamble.
Campusbooks.com
DealOz
Amazon.com
Allbookstores.com
TextbooksRush.com
AbeBooks.com <- best chance of getting an international edition
Half.com
Textbooks.com

Bookstore or Internet?

Catalog Description:

Theory of Structures. (3-0). Credit 3. Structural engineering—functions of structures, design loads, reactions and force systems; analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate structures including beams, trusses and arches; energy methods of determining deflections of structures; influence lines and criteria for moving loads; analysis of statically indeterminate structures including continuous beams and frames. Prerequisites: CVEN 302 or registration therein; CVEN 305.

Course Objectives:

  • To introduce students to the general behavior of statically determinate and indeterminate structures and determination of forces therein. Construction of influence lines.  Determination of load and load placement on structures.  Use of available computer programs for analyzing statically indeterminate structures.

Learning Outcomes – This course emphasizes the following ABET Learning Outcomes. Note that the letters refer to those used by ABET.

       (a) Ability to apply knowledge of basic mathematics, science, and engineering.

Course Prerequisites:

To take CVEN 345, you must have received a passing grade (no D’s, F’s or I’s) in CVEN 305 and be registered for or have already passed CVEN 302.

Course Assessment:

  • Graded major exams (Quiz A, Quiz B, Final Exam = 3 @ 30% each) for 90% of final grade.
  • Graded homework problems & Readiness Assessment Tests (RATs) (10 points each per problem/RAT unless otherwise noted) = 10% of final grade.

Syllabus Information:

  • Homework
  • General Information Regarding Format for Exams, Quizzes, and Homework
  • Where to get help for 345 (not in summer)
  • Grading – All homework and quizzes will be graded using Beason’s Qualitative Grading Rubric.
  • Major exams
  • Make-up exams
  • Attendance
  • Illness
  • Academic Dishonesty Policy
  • Finally, click here!

Resources available to the student:

  • Instructor of record: Dr. Lee L. Lowery, Jr.
  • TA Help Desk Schedule
  • Teaching associate: Jacob Page – jacob.page@tamu.edu
  • CE 345 File Server/Grades Server <—- CLICK HERE FIRST
  • Computer software (Visual Analysis, Mastan2, RISA-2D, Excel, EES)
  • RISA-2D – Educational (limited) copy of commercial structural analysis program
  • MASTAN2 – Free structural analysis program – an excellent little program. Use the NON-MATLAB version, even if you have MATLAB on your computer.
  • Using MASTAN in the Open Access Labs and Online
  • Computers in the Civil Engineering Computer Labs
  • Old Exams including those from this semester after being graded
  • Class lecture videos and notes posted during this semester
  • Class video of lectures and notes posted during the previous semester.
  • Please note: Use of videos.
  • Class video of lectures and notes posted during the Fall 2013 semester
  • Tutoring and Student use of the solution manual
  • Access to the Civil Engineering Apps Server
  • First few homework problems, until your textbook comes in  <—————————- Good for the 5th edition text.
  • EES (Engineering Equation Solver)  What it is, how to get it, video example on using it, user’s manual, short tutorial 
  • Chances of making what grade in Lowery’s 345 class after Quiz A and after Quiz B
  • Video examples/Flipped classes – Structures problems
  • HELP DESK HOURS – FALL 2016

The correct time (to the nanosecond)

Course Schedule: Please note that the course syllabus will be revised throughout the semester. Please do not work any problems ahead of the date due. Some may be dropped, others that are better (in my opinion) may be substituted.

Day Material covered Chapter Reading Assignment Daily Homework Problem Assignments
Each day’s assignment is due as listed below.  Textbook problems are worth 10 points each.  Special Problems (SP) are worth 20 points each.Please refer to homework problems often.  Some may get delayed until we cover the material and the problem numbers and dates will change.Note that web-linked homework problem numbers refer to hints, or some solutions.  SP = special problem.  Click on link.
Aug 29
Class 1
 Introduction: Statically Determinate Reactions, Moment Diagrams. Chapters
1, 3, 4.1-4.2
Class Assignments
A1) 3.8, 3.9, 3.18, 3.34, SP1
A1 International version) 3.9, 3.12, 3.16, 3.27, SP1
Due on Class 4
Aug31
Class 2
Statically Determinate Reactions, Moment Diagrams, Moment Equations 4.3-4.4 A2) 4.6, 4.12, 4.15, SP2
A2 IV) 4.7, 4.23, 4.18, SP2
Due on Class 5
Sep 2
Class 3
 Analysis of Trusses – Method of Joints
Analysis of Trusses – Method of Sections
Chapters 4.5

A3) 4.31, 4.32, 4.33

A3 IV) 4.31, 4.33,

Due on Class 6

Sep 5
Class 4
 Analysis of Trusses – Method of Sections, Zero force members. Chapters 4.6

A4) 3.4, 4.38, 4.46 (members JK and DE only), 4.47 member IH only, SP3

Due on Class 7

Sep 7
Class 5
Beams and Frames – Shear and moment diagrams
Detailed procedures for drawing shear and moment diagrams
Chapters 4.9, 5.1-5.2 A5)  4.49 (only members DE, EK, ON), 5.35, 5.39
Due on Class 8
Sep 9
Class 6

Beams and Frames – Shear and moment diagrams – Writing equations for moments in beams

TRY THIS:
Interactive shear and moment diagram practice module

Chapters 5.3-5.4 A6) 4.3, 5.44, 5.51, 5.52, SP4
Due on Class 9
Sep 12
Class 7
“ Chapter 5.5 A7)  5.56, 5.57, 5.59
Due on Class 10
Sep 14
Class 8
“ Chapters 5.6 A8) 5.65, 5.69, 5.70, SP5
Due on Class 13
Sep 16
Class 9
Deflections by Direct Integration Chapters 6.1-6.3 A9) 6.1, 6.5, 6.7
Due on Class 12
Sep 19
Class 10
 Beams and Frames – Deflections by Work-Energy Chapter 7.1, 7.2 A10) 7.1, 7.3, 7.5
Due on Class 13
Sep 21
Class 11
“ Chapter 7.3, 7.4 A11) 7.16, 7.20, 7.22
Due on Class 14
Sep 23
Class 12
“ Chapter 7.5 A12) 7.23, 7.24
Use the volume integral tables or integration of mMdx/EI, whichever you like after Problem 7.23.
Due on Class 15
Sep 26
Class 13
”
Volume Integrals
Chapter 7.5 A13) 7.26, 7.31, 7.36
Due on Class 16
Sep 28
Class 14
“ A14) 7.38, 7.39
Due on Class 17
Sep 30
Class 15
Chapter 13.1 Chapter 13.1 A15) 7.45, 7.50
Due on Class 18
Oct 3
Class 16
Introduction to solution to statically indeterminate structures using the flexibility method/consistent distortions. Chapter 13.1 A16) 13.1, 13.2
Due on Class 19
Oct 5
Class 17
“ Chapter 13.2 A17) 13.10, (13.16 – Use Rb as the redundant)
Due on Class 20
Oct 7
Class 18
“ A18) Use the reactions listed below as the redundant reactions to solve the following problems:
(13.18 – using Rbh), (13.20 – using Rdh)
Due on class 22.
Save it to Class 22 because of Quiz A
Oct 10
Class 19
Solution to statically indeterminate structures with multiple degrees of indeterminacy using consistent deformations – Flexibility Method Chapter 13.3  A19) Work (13.20 again – using Rdv), (13.26 – using Rch).
Due on Class 22
Oct 12
Class 20
“ Chapter 13.3 A20) Work (13.26 again using Rcv), (13.27 – using Rcv), (13.27 again – using Rdv)
Due on Class 23
Oct 14
Class 21
Quiz A – held in our classroom during regular class hours.  Covers everything through
Class 17

Exam is closed book. Bring calculator, paper and pencils.  You are also permitted to bring one 8.5″ x 11″ cheat sheet, hand written by you (no copies) on ONE SIDE, no example problems. Equations only.

You should also bring a copy of the Fundamentals of Engineering Reference Manual, Structural section only, unless you have memorized the wide flange tables.   No notes of any kind written on them.   Click here for a copy
Homework is still due today, if assigned, but I won’t take it up until our next class.  Turn it in then.  This makes no change in all other due dates.

Oct 17
Class 22
Moving Loads,
Influence Lines for Structures
Read Chapters 8 and 9READ:How to construct and use influence linesHighly recommended:
Interactive Practice with Influence Lines – (Note that only a few of the ones on the top row are working, including the Help modules, but those are still quite useful.)

Muller-Breslau Principle, Use of Influence Lines

A21 (13.37 – using Rbv & Rcv), (13.43 – using Rav and Rah),
13.49 – using Rdv.
Due class 25
Oct 19
Class 23

INFLUENCE LINE GENERATION

HTML files:
Generating reaction influence lines
Generating shear influence lines
Generating moment influence lines

MP4 files:
Generating reaction influence lines
Generating shear influence lines
Generating moment influence lines

A22) 8.5, 8.10, 8.16, 8.20
Due class 26
Oct 21
Class 24
Use of influence lines to determine where to put live, dead, uniform, concentrated loads and compute maximum results. A23) 8.19, 8.21, 8.38, 8.47
Due class 27
Oct 24
Class 25
Chapter 9: Use of influence lines for a series of wheel loads Chapter 9 A24) 9.4, 9.6, 9.21
Due class 28
Oct 26
Class 26
A25) 8.49, 8.53
Due class 29
Oct 28
Class 27
  Chapter 14: Influence lines for statically indeterminate structures.  A26) 9.14, 9.23
Due class 30
Oct 31
Class 28
A27) 13.44, 14.15, 14.16
Due class 31
Nov 2
Class 29
Chapter 2: Loads on structures.  Wind Loads. Chapter 2 A28) 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 14.17
Due Class 33.
Save it to class 33
because of Quiz B
Nov 4
Class 30
See: http://windspeed.atcouncil.org/ A29) 2.9, 2.12, 2.13, 14.18
Due class 33
Nov 7
Class 31
Loads on structures.
Nov 9
Class 32

Quiz B – held in our classroom during regular class hours.

Covers everything covered in class, through class # 27.  See class notes for exactly what we have covered.

Exam is closed book. Bring calculator, paper and pencils.  You are also permitted to bring one 8.5″ x 11″ cheat sheet, hand written by you (no copies) on TWO SIDES, no example problems. Equations only.

You should also bring a copy of the Fundamentals of Engineering Reference Manual, Structural section only, unless you have memorized the wide flange tables.   No notes of any kind written on them.   Click here for a copy
Homework is still due today, if assigned, but I won’t ask for it until our next class.  This makes no change in all other due dates.

Nov 11
Class 33
Loads on structures.
Approximate solutions to statically indeterminate structures.
Chapter 12 A30) 12.3, 12.5, 14.19
Due class 36
Nov 14
Class 34
Mon
Chapter 12: Vertical loads, portal method A31) 12.6, 12.9, 14.20
Due class 37
Nov 16
Class 35
Flexibility methods vs. Stiffness Methods Chapter 15 A32) 15.1, 15.2
Due Class 38
Nov 18
Class 36
Stiffness Methods – Slope Deflection A32) 15.17
Due Class 39
Nov 21
Class 37
Mon

Sign Convention – page 584 – Kassimali

Why do we need 2 additional statics equations in Kassimali example 15.12 with joint deflections, but not in example 15.6 which also has joint deflections?

A33) Get MASTAN2 and put it on your computer and tinker with it.
See some hints at installation here. Download the NON-MATLAB version.  It has a better chance of running.Due Class 40
Nov 28
Class 38
Mon
Mastan2
See the tutorial that comes with the MASTAN2 program.
Also see:
Example MASTAN problem
A34) Set up and solve Example Problem 15.8 on text page 619 using MASTAN2.  NOTE!  Click here for instructions.
Due Class 41
Nov 30
Class 39
Mastan2
Mastan header sheets
Dec 2
Class 40
Mastan2 A35) Web problem A35.
Due Class 41
Dec 5
Class 41
Mon
Mastan 2 A36) MASTAN influence line hand in during class
Not due
Dec 7
Class 42
Mastan 2
Dec 14th  Final Exam
Wednesday
December 14th
from 10:30 to 12:30 pm
Held in our classroom

CHECK THIS DATE FOR
ACCURACY HERE:
Final Exam Schedules
Final Exam – Exam is closed book. Bring only calculator, paper and pencils.  You are also permitted to bring one 8.5″ x 11″  cheat sheet to the quiz, hand written by you (no copies) on TWO SIDES, no example problems.  Equations only.
You should also bring a copy of the Fundamentals of Engineering Reference Manual, Structural section only.   No notes of any kind on them.   Click here for a copy
You should also bring a copy of the MASTAN header sheets.
Exam covers everything in the course, with emphasis on the materials after Quiz B. Approximate target coverage:
20% Quiz A
30% Quiz B
50% after Quiz B
Pick up any old leftover homework outside of my office.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, currently located in the Disability Services building at the Student Services at White Creek complex on west campus or call 979-845-1637. For additional information, visit http://disability.tamu.edu.

The following is the University required Academic Integrity Statement

“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.”

All syllabi shall contain a section that states the Aggie Honor Code and refers the student to the Honor Council Rules and Procedures on the web: http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Pages

  • Contact
  • Lee L. Lowery, Jr., PhD, P.E.
  • Office Hours

© 2016–2025 Lee L. Lowery, Jr. Log in

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Logo
  • College of Engineering
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • State of Texas
  • Open Records
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Statewide Search
  • Site Links & Policies
  • Accommodations
  • Environmental Health, Safety & Security
  • Employment