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Architectural Engineering

Where structure meets design — making buildings that stand up and feel right.

Lessons

All lessons

Introduction to Cantilever Dynamics

Exploring how structures extend outward without direct vertical support underneath.

Materials and Thermal Expansion

How materials change size with temperature and why it matters for buildings.

Load Paths in Truss Systems

Using geometry to distribute weight efficiently through interconnected members.

Foundations of Static Stability

Understanding how structures maintain balance through effective base design.

Structural Equilibrium

The balance of forces in building design.

Challenges

Hyper-Efficient Vertical Seismic Isolation

Design and construct a structural scale model of a five-story vertical cantilever system that utilizes a non-traditional base isolation mechanism to withstand a high-frequency lateral oscillation. The system must maintain structural integrity under a dynamic load test while minimizing the horizontal displacement of the top-most floor relative to the base. You must document the resonant frequency of your structure and explain how your damping mechanism accounts for localized shear force dissipation.