Can you tell when a structural analysis is wrong?
Understanding Structural Behaviour develops the fundamental ability to recognise how a structure should behave, develop qualitative solutions and use engineering judgement to check computer-generated analysis.
20% Off All Video Training Courses
Limited-time offer available until 30 November 2026.
The computer can calculate the answer. Can you check it?
As computer analysis, automated design tools and AI become increasingly capable of producing engineering calculations, models and proposals, understanding how a structure should behave becomes increasingly important.
Before relying on the output, an engineer needs to be able to recognise whether the behaviour makes sense.
Understand the behaviour of the structure before trusting the output.
AI can produce an engineering solution. Engineering judgement still has to check it.
AI and automated design systems are increasingly capable of producing calculations, models and design proposals.
But the ability to generate an answer does not remove the need to understand the structure behind that answer.
Understanding Structural Behaviour provides a practical foundation for developing that understanding — helping engineers recognise structural behaviour, develop qualitative solutions and question computer-generated analysis.
More than 50 years developing this fundamental skill
Dr David M Brohn MBE has spent more than 50 years developing and teaching the understanding of structural behaviour.
The course was originally commissioned by the Arup Partnership in the 1970s and has developed from this approach to teaching structural engineering.
The aim is not simply to produce another calculation. It is to develop the understanding needed to recognise how the structure should behave and use that understanding to check the analysis.
Learn to understand structural behaviour
Understanding Structural Behaviour takes engineers through a qualitative approach to structural analysis, developing the ability to visualise and understand how structures respond.
The approach can then be used as an engineering judgement check against detailed computer analysis.
Included in the course
- Video lectures
- Practice problems
- Assessment
- Course certificate
- Online learning
Three fundamental engineering skills
Recognise structural behaviour
Develop an understanding of how structures behave under different loading and support conditions.
Develop qualitative solutions
Develop approximate solutions and understand deflected shapes, reactions and bending behaviour.
Check computer analysis
Use your understanding of structural behaviour to interpret and check computer-generated analysis.
A course developed from decades of structural engineering education
Dr David M Brohn MBE has dedicated much of his career to helping engineers and students develop a deeper understanding of structural behaviour.
50+ Years
Developing and teaching structural engineering understanding.
IStructE President's Award
Recognition from the Institution of Structural Engineers for his contribution to structural engineering education.
MBE
Awarded an MBE for services to structural engineering.
Develop the understanding behind the engineering judgement
A strong understanding of structural behaviour is fundamental to structural engineering practice and can provide an important foundation for IStructE examination preparation.
Engineers who have completed the course have described its value in developing the conceptual understanding needed to approach structural problems and check analysis.
Understanding the behaviour of a structure gives the engineer a basis for questioning whether an analysis result makes sense.
Feedback from course participants
"As a fledgling engineer who has just graduated, I found this course both challenging and rewarding. I learnt how to logically analyse beams and frames under different loading conditions and then use this information to sketch their bending moment diagrams."
"The Understanding Structural Behaviour course provided a strong foundation in analysing how structures respond to different types of loads, support conditions, and geometry."
"This course has reignited my passion for structural engineering. I've loved practicing the problems everyday, and learning the behavioral aspects of structural engineering."
"Professor David Brohn's visual approach to teaching structural mechanics has transformed my understanding of structural behaviour."
Understand the behaviour before you trust the output.
Develop the structural engineering judgement needed to understand structural behaviour, develop qualitative solutions and check computer-generated analysis.
USE CODE: USB20OFF
Offer ends 30 November 2026