Finite Element Structural Analysis on an Excel Spreadsheet
Price: $ 115.80 (USD)
Add to Cart
You will receive 4.0 credits (CE) upon completion of this course.
Have a question about this course? .
Course Description
Finite element software and spreadsheet software are two essential tools for structural engineers. This course combines the two into a FE spreadsheet that puts the power of FE method into the versatility of a spreadsheet.
The user is provided with a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that solves FE two dimensional (2D) frame-type structural engineering problems. This spreadsheet is simplistic in comparison to commercial software and much more limited in capabilities, but is completely adequate for many structural building frame-type problems. Most of the course is about how to use the spreadsheet, with a one-chapter overview of underlying theory. I have used the FE spreadsheet for years and it has been invaluable. It is easy to learn if the user is already familiar with spreadsheets and it is much less expensive than commercial FE software.
This course includes:
A typical user would be a structural design engineer working with a beam, truss, frame or elastic foundation problems. The user should:
State Board Acceptance
This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.
*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.
**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.
Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).
Back to Top
The user is provided with a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that solves FE two dimensional (2D) frame-type structural engineering problems. This spreadsheet is simplistic in comparison to commercial software and much more limited in capabilities, but is completely adequate for many structural building frame-type problems. Most of the course is about how to use the spreadsheet, with a one-chapter overview of underlying theory. I have used the FE spreadsheet for years and it has been invaluable. It is easy to learn if the user is already familiar with spreadsheets and it is much less expensive than commercial FE software.
This course includes:
- Finite Element (FE) Spreadsheet
- Instruction on and examples of spreadsheet use
- A cursory review of underlying theory
- Discussion of applications, advantages, and limitations of the FE spreadsheet
- A multiple-choice 20-question quiz to obtain PDH credits
A typical user would be a structural design engineer working with a beam, truss, frame or elastic foundation problems. The user should:
- Have Excel 5.0 or higher software
- Have a working understanding of spreadsheet formulas (Visual Basic [VBA] programming and macro skills are not necessary)
- Be able to create a structural 2D frame model with nodes and members
- Be aware of matrix mathematics (addition, multiplication and inversion of matrices), although detailed knowledge of matrices is not needed
State Board Acceptance
This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.
*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.
**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.
Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).
More Information
| Language | English |
| Course Length | 4.00 hours |
| Duration of Access | 365 Days |
| Continuing Education Credits | 4.0 |
| Instructor | Self-Study |
| Vendor | PDH Engineer (Read more about PDH Engineer accreditation.) |
| Course Certification | Certificate of Completion |
| Requirements/Materials Included | None |
Price: $ 115.80 (USD)
Add to Cart