EdX

Stability and Design of Structural Frames (edX)

Offered by Purdue University, PurdueX,
Stability and Design of Structural Frames (edX)

Learn fundamental concepts of beam-column behavior and design, frame stability analysis, and second order analysis methods for design. Differentiate between the effective length and direct analysis methods for design. Beam-column and frame stability analysis is an important component of all structural designs.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course will cover the stability analysis methods for beam-column and frame systems with a focus on differentiating between the effective length and direct analysis methods for design.
Students will leave this course with an in-depth knowledge of the beam-column interaction equations, frame buckling analysis, and 2nd order analysis methods for design. Students will learn to distinguish between the effective length method and direct analysis methods for design and become familiar with the AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) standard approaches for the design of beam-columns and frames. This course is best suited for students with an undergraduate civil engineering background including a structural analysis course and will build on these concepts.
Students will learn from an awarded structural engineering researcher with over 20 years of experience in the field. Professor Varma focuses on teaching through exploring example problems and applications of fundamental concepts, encouraging his students to both understand the principles of structural stability and be able to apply these concepts in realistic design scenarios.

What you'll learn

  • In-plane and out-of-plane interaction behavior and design for steel-beam columns.
  • Frame buckling analysis using geometric stiffness matrices.
  • Design using the direct analysis method as described in AISC360.

Syllabus

Week 1: Beam-Column Stability Behavior
Introduction to beam-column differential equations and solutions.

Week 2: Beam-Column Design
In-plane and out-of-plane P-M interaction equations for beam-column design.

Week 3: Frame Buckling Analysis
Introduction to stability coefficients, geometric stiffness matrix, and frame buckling analysis.

Week 4: Effective Length Method and Approximate Methods of 2 nd Order Analysis
Discussion of effective length methods and approximate methods of 2nd order analysis.

Week 5: Direct Analysis Method and Design of Steel Frames
Discussion of direct analysis method for the design of steel frames.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Resource and Waste Management in Buildings (Coursera) Coursera
L&T EduTech

Resource and Waste Management in Buildings (Coursera)

Sci: Environment

This course explores the concept of energy efficiency and sustainability in building design, covering topics such as forms of energy, strategies for energy efficiency, and the role of renewable energy and water management. The module emphasizes the importance of certified fixtures and rainwater harvesting for water efficiency. It also discusses waste management, including types of waste, treatment methods, and strategies for different building purposes.

Sep 21st 2026
4 Weeks
Sustainability Renewable Energy Resources
Details
Introduction to Water and Climate (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Introduction to Water and Climate (edX)

Engineering Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences

Water is a crucial element in climate and for society. Find out about the latest engineering interventions for water management in rivers, coasts and the urban environment. Water is essential for life on Earth and of crucial importance for society. Water also plays a major role in affecting climate. Its natural cycle, from ocean to atmosphere by evaporation, then by precipitation back to land returning via rivers and aquifers to the oceans, has a decisive impact on regional and global climate patterns.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Water Engineering Climate
Details
Sports Turf Management: Best Practices (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Sports Turf Management: Best Practices (Coursera)

Sci: Environment

The Sports Turf Management: Best Practices course will cover the construction, management, and challenges in maintaining athletic fields intended for football, soccer, and baseball. You will learn the fundamental management practices for maintaining athletic fields, such as fertilization, irrigation, mowing, and pest control. An overview of athletic field construction, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of native soil versus modified soil fields, will be provided. Lastly, you will explore the effects of traffic and compaction on athletic fields and the development of artificial turf.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sports Irrigation Construction
Details
Organisational Behaviour in Construction: An Introduction (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

Organisational Behaviour in Construction: An Introduction (FutureLearn)

Business

Study organisational behaviour within the construction industry. Explore the importance of organisational behaviour in construction. How does being part of an organisation affect an individual’s behaviour? How can you manage behaviour at individual and organisational level? Explore the answers to these questions and more with this course.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Organizational Behavior Construction Construction Industry
Details
Highway Engineering (OpenLearning) OpenLearning
University of Technology, Malaysia

Highway Engineering (OpenLearning)

Engineering

This is one of the compulsory courses in Civil Engineering where students are exposed to the fundamental theory of highway engineering. Topics covered are; highway materials and evaluations, premix plants, construction techniques and plants, quality controls and testing, pavement structural thickness design, highway drainage and maintenance, pavement visual assessment, and economic evaluation of transportation alternatives.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Engineering Civil Engineering Construction
Details
La gestione del processo edilizio dal progetto esecutivo alla realizzazione (POK) Polimi OPEN KNOWLEDGE
Politecnico di Milano

La gestione del processo edilizio dal progetto esecutivo alla realizzazione (POK)

Architecture & Design

Il cantiere del campus Bonardi al Politecnico di Milano come occasione didattica. Il corso si focalizza sulla fase del progetto esecutivo, con particolare riferimento alle opere pubbliche, e sulla relazione con la fase costruttiva, anche alla luce della normativa vigente, evidenziando la complessità tecnica e gestionale e come le scelte adottate si ripercuotano e debbano anticipare le successive fasi del processo edilizio (esercizio, manutenzione, dismissione, riciclo/riuso).

Available
4 Weeks
Building Construction Building Design
Details
ConstruiREcycler (FUN) FUN
Université de Liège

ConstruiREcycler (FUN)

Sci: Biology & Life Sciences Sci: Environment

Le recyclage n'est pas un luxe ou une mode mais une nécessité, qui provient d'une constatation fort simple : nous vivons dans un monde limité. Contrairement à ce que nous avons cru fort longtemps et surtout dans les "golden sixties", notre activité humaine n'est pas infiniment développable, car bornée par des limites en termes d'énergie, de ressources naturelles, d'espace ou simplement de capacité d'adaptation de la nature.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Engineering Recycling Waste Management
Details
Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Rural Roads (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Birmingham

Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Rural Roads (FutureLearn)

Engineering Social Sciences

Find out how planners and road designers can manage the effect of climate change and extreme weather on rural roads. Discover how rural roads can become more resilient to changing weather patterns. We already know that climate change is having a significant impact on temperature, rainfall and wind speed.

No sessions available
3 Weeks
Climate Change Resilience Infrastructure
Details
Circular Economy for a Sustainable Built Environment (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Circular Economy for a Sustainable Built Environment (edX)

Architecture & Design

Learn how the principles of the Circular Economy can be applied to the built environment ranging from products and buildings to metropolitan and regional development strategies. In this course you will become familiar with circularity as a systemic, multi-disciplinary approach, concerned with the different scale, from material to product, building, city, and region.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Sustainability Building Sustainable Construction
Details