Structural elements are used in structural analysis

Structural analysis

Structural analysis is the determination of the effects of loads on physical structures and their components. Structures subject to this type of analysis include all that must withstand loads, such as buildings, bridges, vehicles, machinery, furniture, attire, soil strata, prostheses and...

 to split a complex structure into simple elements. Within a structure, an element cannot be broken down (decomposed) into parts of different kinds (e.g., beam or column).

Structural elements can be linear, surfaces or volumes.

Linear elements:

• Rod
  Rod (geometry)
  In geometry, a rod is a three-dimensional, solid cylinder....
  
   - axial loads
• Beam
  Beam (structure)
  A beam is a horizontal structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting bending. The bending force induced into the material of the beam as a result of the external loads, own weight, span and external reactions to these loads is called a bending moment.- Overview...
  
   - axial and bending
  Bending
  In engineering mechanics, bending characterizes the behavior of a slender structural element subjected to an external load applied perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the element. The structural element is assumed to be such that at least one of its dimensions is a small fraction, typically...
  
   loads
• Strut
  Strut
  A strut is a structural component designed to resist longitudinal compression. Struts provide outwards-facing support in their lengthwise direction, which can be used to keep two other components separate, performing the opposite function of a tie...
  
  s or Compression member
  Compression member
  A compression member is a general class of structural elements of which a column is the most common specific example.-Description:For a compression member, such as a column, the principal stress comes mainly from axial forces, that is forces that fall along one line, usually the centerline.The...
  
  s- compressive loads
• Tie
  Tie (engineering)
  A tie, structural tie, connector, or structural connector is a structural component designed to resist tension. It is the opposite of a strut, which is designed to resist compression. Ties are generally made of galvanized steel...
  
  s or Tie rod
  Tie rod
  A tie rod is a slender structural unit used as a tie and capable of carrying tensile loads only.- Subtypes and examples of applications :* In airplane structures, tie rods are sometimes used in the fuselage or wings....
  
  s - tension loads

Surface elements:

• membrane - in-plane loads only
• shell
  Thin-shell structure
  Thin-shell structures are light weight constructions using shell elements. These elements are typically curved and are assembled to large structures...
  
   - in plane and bending moments
  • Concrete slab
    Concrete slab
    A concrete slab is a common structural element of modern buildings. Horizontal slabs of steel reinforced concrete, typically between 10 and 50 centimeters thick, are most often used to construct floors and ceilings, while thinner slabs are also used for exterior paving.In many domestic and...
    
    
  • deck
    Deck (bridge)
    A bridge deck or road bed is the roadway, or the pedestrian walkway, surface of a bridge. It is not to be confused with any deck of a ship.The deck may be of concrete,wood which in turn may be covered with asphalt concrete or other pavement...
    
    
• shear panel
  Shear wall
  In structural engineering, a shear wall is a wall composed of braced panels to counter the effects of lateral load acting on a structure. Wind and earthquake loads are the most common loads braced wall lines are designed to counteract...
  
   - shear load
  Shear stress
  A shear stress, denoted \tau\, , is defined as the component of stress coplanar with a material cross section. Shear stress arises from the force vector component parallel to the cross section...
  
  s only

Volumes:

• Axial, shear and bending loads for all three dimensions