Engineer Hunter

Will this slope stand? Plaxis 2D gives you one number for it: the factor of safety. In this tutorial the answer is 1.65 . Below is every step to find it, from an empty project to the final chart. New to the idea? Read Slope Stability Explained first, then follow this tutorial. The example A slope 10 m high , with a gradient of 1V : 2H One soil layer, Mohr-Coulomb, drained Goal: the factor of safety (FoS) and the shape of the slip surface Step 1: Model size Project properties: plane strain , 15-noded elements. Set x max = 60 m and y max = 25 m , so the slope has room above it and the soil has room below it. Step 2: Draw the slope Draw one soil polygon with these points (x, y) in metres: (0, 0) → (0, 20) → (20, 20) → (40, 10) → (60, 10) → (60, 0) The drop from y = 20 m to y = 10 m over 20 m gives a 10 m high slope at 1V : 2H. Step 3: Soil material Parameter Value Model Mohr-Coulomb, drained Unit weight γ 18 kN/m³ Young's modulus E' 20,000 kN/m² Po...

A tower crane holds a heavy load far out on a long arm, high above the city. So why doesn't it fall over? The short answer: it works like a seesaw. A heavy counterweight on the short arm balances the load on the long arm. The seven parts of a tower crane Mast: the tall steel lattice tower. Slewing unit: a giant turntable that lets the top spin all the way round. Jib: the long arm. Trolley and hook: the trolley runs along the jib and carries the hook. Counter-jib: the short arm behind the mast. Counterweight: big concrete blocks at the end of the counter-jib. Foundation: a massive concrete base that the mast is bolted into. Three moves Hoist: a winch raises or lowers the hook. Trolley: the trolley rolls in and out along the jib. Slew: the whole top turns on the turntable. Together, these three moves can place a load anywhere inside a circle about 100 m wide. Balance: weight × distance = moment A weight far from the mast tries to turn the crane. Engin...

Slope Stability Analysis Explained: Will This Slope Stand? Engineers answer that question with one number, the factor of safety (FS) . It compares the forces that resist sliding along a slip surface with the forces that drive it. Above 1 the slope stands. Below 1 it slides. The resisting side comes from the soil's shear strength (Mohr-Coulomb), and water pressure in the soil lowers it. That is why many landslides happen after heavy rain. The analysis follows five steps: investigate the site, assume a slip surface, compute FS, search for the critical surface, and check every condition (long-term, short-term, earthquake, rapid drawdown). The main methods are: Infinite slope, for shallow slides parallel to the surface Ordinary method of slices (Fellenius) Bishop's and Janbu's simplified methods Spencer and Morgenstern-Price, the rigorous limit equilibrium methods Finite element strength reduction, which needs no assumed surface In practice we never design for FS = ...

A door can move. A wall cannot. The difference is degrees of freedom : the number of independent ways a structure can move. This video explains the idea in about 7 minutes, with animations, and shows why every structural engineer needs it. What you will learn What a degree of freedom is. A block on a table has 3 (two slides and one spin). A body free in 3D has 6. Joints and members. Each joint of a 2D truss has 2 degrees of freedom, a 2D frame joint has 3, and a 3D frame joint has 6. The structure and its connections decide the count. Supports remove freedom. A roller removes 1, a pin removes 2, and a fixed support removes 3. Every restraint adds a reaction. Counting for stability. For a planar truss, compare the unknowns (members + reactions) with the equations (2 per joint). Fewer unknowns than equations means a mechanism, equal means statically determinate, more means indeterminate. A passing count is not enough: the arrangement of members and supports must also be stab...

What does a civil engineer actually do? The road you drove on, the bridge you crossed, the water in your tap: none of it happened by accident. In this video, we break down what civil engineers actually do and explore four of the biggest specialties:   🏗️ Structural engineering: keeping buildings, bridges and towers standing safely  🌍 Geotechnical engineering: understanding the soil and rock beneath every structure  🚦 Transportation engineering: designing how people and goods move  👷 Construction engineering: turning drawings into reality on site  If you're curious about engineering, this is a great place to start.  Subscribe to Engineer Hunter for more engineering explained simply.   #CivilEngineering #Engineering #StructuralEngineering #GeotechnicalEngineering #TransportationEngineering #ConstructionEngineering #EngineerHunter Enjoy the video below. More about us: Donate Us: https://www.patreon.com/c/EngineerHunter Shop: https://www.patr...

Cubic Spline Interpolation for Beam Deflection In this video, we explore how cubic spline interpolation can be used to accurately model beam deflection, a key concept in structural and mechanical engineering. Starting from discrete data points, we demonstrate how smoother and more realistic curves are generated compared to linear or lower-order interpolation methods. Using Python, the video walks through the process of implementing cubic splines to analyze deformation under load, highlighting both the mathematical intuition and practical application. Whether you're a student, engineer, or data enthusiast, this tutorial provides a clear and visual understanding of how interpolation techniques improve the accuracy of beam analysis. Enjoy the video below. File used in this video: link More about us: Donate Us: https://www.patreon.com/c/EngineerHunter Shop: https://www.patreon.com/engineerhunter/shop TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@engineerhunter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Engi...

Concrete Beam and Column Design in SCIA Engineer 🔧 Concrete Beam & Column Design in SCIA Engineer | Step-by-Step Tutorial In this video, we dive deep into the design of reinforced concrete beams and columns using SCIA Engineer. Whether you're a civil engineering student or a practicing structural engineer, this tutorial will guide you through the essential workflow and practical steps needed to perform accurate structural design. 📌 What you will learn: - Modeling concrete beams and columns in SCIA Engineer   - Assigning materials, cross-sections, and loads   - Understanding internal forces (N, V, M)   - Reinforcement design according to Eurocode   - Interpreting results and design checks   - Tips to avoid common mistakes in SCIA modeling   💡 This tutorial is perfect for engineers working with Eurocode standards and those looking to improve their structural design skills using advanced software. 🛠 Software used: SCIA Eng...