List of structural elements.html



Structural elements are used in structural analysis to simplify the structure which is to be analysed. An element is defined as the simplest part of the whole. Within a structure, an element is a part of the structure which cannot be broken down (decomposed) into parts of different kinds (e.g., beam or column).¹

Structural elements can be linear, surfaces or volumes.^{citation needed}

Linear elements:

• Rod - axial loads
• Beam - axial and bending loads
• Column - compressive loads

Surface elements:

• membrane - in-plane loads only
• shell - in plane and bending moments
• shear panel - shear loads only

Volumes:

• Axial, shear and bending loads for all three dimensions