Structural Analysis and the Humanities

Item

Title
Structural Analysis and the Humanities
Description
The contemporary challenge that engineers should become more sensitive to the effects of their technological decisions is in essence an exhortation to assimilate the cultural values implicit in "historic insight and social memory." A Princeton University program is described which responds to this challenge by introducing engineers to their own humanistic tradition. To illustrate how matrix analysis of structures can be taught in a humanistic context and can be applied to humanistic research, five case studies from the Princeton program are discussed. These include: the analysis of Eiffel's Maria Pia Bridge, a design study of Revell's Toronto City Hall, research of the structural performance of the ribbed vaults of Gothic cathedrals, the analysis of a Maillart concrete plane frame, and a critical study of Saarinen's Kresge Auditorium.
Creator
Abel, John F.
Abstract
The contemporary challenge that engineers should become more sensitive to the effects of their technological decisions is in essence an exhortation to assimilate the cultural values implicit in "historic insight and social memory." A Princeton University program is described which responds to this challenge by introducing engineers to their own humanistic tradition. To illustrate how matrix analysis of structures can be taught in a humanistic context and can be applied to humanistic research, five case studies from the Princeton program are discussed. These include: the analysis of Eiffel's Maria Pia Bridge, a design study of Revell's Toronto City Hall, research of the structural performance of the ribbed vaults of Gothic cathedrals, the analysis of a Maillart concrete plane frame, and a critical study of Saarinen's Kresge Auditorium.
Corporate Author
Princeton University
Report Number
AFFDL TR 71-160 p. 1001-1023
Report Availability
Full text available
Publisher
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH : Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Air Force Systems Command and Air Force Institute of Technology, Air University
Date
1973
Type
article
Date Issued
1973-12
Provenance
Bombardier/Aero
Distribution Classification
1
Distribution Conflict
No
DTIC Record Exists
No
Format
1 online resource (24 pages) : ill.
Extent
24
Identifier
AD0785968
Is Part Of
Proceedings of the Third Conference on Matrix Methods in Structural Mechanics: Proceedings of the Conference held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 19-21 October 1971
Media
AFFDLTR71-160article33.pdf

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Items with "Has Part: Structural Analysis and the Humanities"
Title Class
Proceedings of the Third Conference on Matrix Methods in Structural Mechanics: Proceedings of the Conference held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 19-21 October 1971

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