Energy methods help demonstrate relationships between stresses, strains, or deformations, displacements, material properties, and external effects in the form of energy or work done by internal and external forces.

Energy methods can be utilized for obtaining approximate solutions for complex systems. These relationships provide alternative means for formulating governing equations for statically indeterminate structures.

The main goals of this senior project will be to:

• Develop an intuitive learning package to have a better understanding of Energy Methods and Castigliano’s Theorem through extensive research
• Design and run 3-4 experiments to test the Energy Methods
• Validate results by using F.E.M.
• Identify real life situations where Energy Methods are required