Review #1
Difficulty: /5
Interest level: /5
CE3155 Structural Analysis teaches students several useful methods to analyse structures, including the virtual work, slope deflection and stiffness method, among others. Content wise, this module is highly mathematical. It involves the use of matrices, simultaneous equations and some calculus. The math can get quite tedious at times, but the most difficult part of this module is trying to understand and idealize the structures presented in questions. In recent years, questions have moved away from idealized, textbook style structural diagrams, and have become increasingly replaced by real life structures. Thus, a holistic understanding of structural behavior is required; just knowing how to work the math is insufficient.
Fortunately, this module is also peppered with fun and engaging activities, such as in-class gameshow style quizzes with small prizes to be won for high-scorers. There is also a hands on crane design project, where students get to try their hand at building a structure out of craft wood to carry the highest load with the least material. These activities make for a mostly enjoyable and memorable module, softening the innate difficulty and tedium of an otherwise highly mathematical module.
CE3155 Structural Analysis Review #2
Expected Grade: B+
Actual Grade: A-
What did you enjoy most in this module?
What’s great about this module is that the profs are very considerate and patient to recap past concepts that we are expected to remember from your earlier structural modules.
The hands on lab/tutorial sessions are really useful in helping you visualize certain concepts, especially in defection of frames under loading. These sessions are not compulsory but they are really useful and should not be missed.
What did you NOT enjoy in this module?
Heavy workload and the concepts are slightly difficult to fully grasp.
Any project work involved? If yes, describe what it involved.
You have to build a crane subjected to specific dimensions and load requirements. The requirements change every year. Workmanship is very important, so start early to achieve a perfect structure. The structure that you model on etabs doesn’t take into account the width of the wood and thickness of the glue, so the structure u build might exceed the requirements even though the etabs dimensions satisfy the requirements.
Any advice or things that we should take note of?
You will need a lot of practice to know which methods to apply to different structures.
You can recap the concept from your earlier structural modules during the hols, to give u a head start. Go for ALL lectures!! Prof Poh and Prof Elliot are really good lecturers!!! Even tho it’s webcasted, it’s a lot more useful to go for lectures and ASK QNS AT THE END!! There are no stupid qns cuz almost everyone is as clueless as you. The profs are super patient in answering your qns!!
CE3155 Structural Analysis Review #3
Expected Grade: A-
Actual Grade: A
Any project work involved? If yes, describe what it involved.
Yes to build a tower crane with sticks. And glue and string based in creativity and also lowest weight and highest load.