Working Problems Notes

Some Things to Consider When Working Structural Problems:

Part of the difficulty many students have with studying structures is in simply getting stuck. Perhaps we’ve all experienced this at one time or another, this sense of "I just can’t figure this out!" Don’t feel bad or inadequate if you are having trouble! Some people pick up these concepts quickly while for others it takes much longer. It has been my observation, though, that those whole have a facility for learning this material are also quick to forget, while those who must struggle seem to really learn and understand and remember. So the struggle, then, seems worthwhile.

Here are some observations and tips to consider when you reach a dead end. Maybe something here will click for you:

Remember always to return to essential principles. In structures that means the basic conditions of equilibrium, that the sum of all forces and moments are equal to zero. This is always available to you both as a starting point for analysis as well as a check of your work

Observe yourself. Watch your anxiety level as you run into a difficult problem. If you get stuck and start to tense up, your thinking will be impeded and things become even more difficult.

Relax! Sink into the problem. Let it go through you. Seek to find the kind of quiet mindset that lets you slowly and clearly work on the solution.

Avoid rushing and hurry. Work slowly and methodically. Always check and double check your work. You will always be given ample time to solve problems in this class so don’t feel like there is a time crunch.

Concentrate. There is really more time than you think there is if you concentrate, but if you get tense and unfocused, time will go by very fast as you end up dwelling on how little time there is left. Time is an elastic concept. To a concentrated mind time seems to slow down while for a confused, hectic mind it seems to speed up.