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Natural Sciences · Intermediate

Strength of Materials

Every structure is a negotiation between forces and materials. Learn how engineers measure stress and stretch, why steel bends but glass shatters, why tall beams are so much stiffer than flat ones, how columns suddenly buckle, and how arches carry enormous loads using compression alone.

7 lessons~35 min0/7 complete
1

Stretching and Breaking

Stress, strain and strength.

  1. Stress & StrainYoung’s modulus
  2. Bend or ShatterElastic, plastic and brittle
2

Structures

Beams, columns and arches.

  1. BeamsWhy height matters most
  2. Columns & BucklingSudden sideways failure
  3. Arches & DomesBuilding with compression
3

Failure and Frameworks

Cracks, and why triangles rule.

  1. Cracks & Stress ConcentrationWhy sharp corners break
  2. Triangles & TrussesThe only rigid polygon