To perform an accurate analysis a structural engineer must determine such information as
structural loads,
geometry, support conditions, and materials properties. The results of such an analysis typically include support reactions,
stresses and
displacements. This information is then compared to criteria that indicate the conditions of failure. Advanced structural analysis may examine
dynamic response,
stability and
non-linear behavior.
There are three approaches to the analysis: the
mechanics of materials approach (also known as strength of materials), the
elasticity theory approach (which is actually a special case of the more general field of
continuum mechanics), and the
finite element approach. The first two make use of analytical formulations which apply mostly to simple linear elastic models, lead to closed-form solutions, and can often be solved by hand. The finite element approach is actually a numerical method for solving differential equations generated by theories of mechanics such as elasticity theory and strength of materials. However, the finite-element method depends heavily on the processing power of computers and is more applicable to structures of arbitrary size and complexity.
Regardless of approach, the formulation is based on the same three fundamental relations:
equilibrium,
constitutive, and
compatibility. The solutions are approximate when any of these relations are only approximately satisfied, or only an approximation of reality.