The Continuous Segment Method: A More Practical Approach for Teaching and Learning Structural Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a novel approach for teaching and learning structural analysis called the Continuous Segment (CS) Method. The nontraditional analysis procedure utilizes an organized bookkeeping methodology that results in a simplified means for solving structural analysis problems by direct integration. Irrespective of problem complexity, free body diagrams are not needed to develop shear and bending moment diagrams or to calculate deflections of beams and frames when using the Continuous Segment Method. Most importantly, the methodology is not only directly compatible with advanced topics in structural analysis such as deflections using virtual work and the analysis of indeterminate structures, but it also makes application of these traditional analysis methods much easier for students to understand and apply. As a result, the senior author has been able to teach the continuous segment method in addition to traditional methods covered in typical structural analysis textbooks in only one structural analysis course. This paper provides a derivation of the CS Method, a simple outline of rules and procedures, and two application examples for beams. A student survey has been performed, and students at The Citadel strongly prefer this nontraditional method of structural analysis to traditional methods used in the same and other courses.