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Understanding the World's Greatest Structures: Science and Innovation from
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Antiquity to Modernity
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Taught By Professor Stephen Ressler, Ph.D., Lehigh University,
United States Military Academy at West Point
Course No. 1153
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Your world is filled with structures that have stood the test of time. That give character
to the cities and landscapes in which they're located. That are visited by millions of
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Course Lecture Titles
people each year. And that capture our wonder for the marvels of engineering
innovation and progress.
24 Lectures
30 minutes / lecture
But while structures such as the Giza pyramids, Brunelleschi's dome, and the
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Brooklyn Bridge are visual spectacles in and of themselves, they are just as important
1. Learning to See and
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for the way they were designed as for the way they look. These and other structural
Understand Structure (info)
masterpieces were, first and foremost, novel creations born from the most 2. The Science of Structure
progressive engineering concepts and tools of their day. They represent uniquely
 Forces in Balance (info)
effective solutions to perplexing structural concerns. And they serve as landmark
3. Internal Forces, Stress, and
LEARN MORE ABOUT
The Great Courses moments in the millennia-long history of engineering. Strength (info)
4. From Wood to Steel
What Are The Great Courses?
Now, experience the engineering genius that makes these works possible with
 Properties of Materials
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Understanding the World's Greatest Structures: Science and Innovation from
(info)
Lifetime Guarantee
Antiquity to Modernity a marvelous learning experience that takes you around the
5. Building Up Columns and
Recommendations
world and reveals the stories behind the most famous bridges, churches,
Buckling (info)
skyscrapers, towers, and other structures from thousands of years of history.
6. Building Across Beams and
Delivered by award-winning Professor Stephen Ressler of the United States Military
Bending (info)
Academy at West Point, a civil engineer and a nationally honored leader in
7. Trusses The Power of the
"I've never made a secret
engineering education, these 24 lectures take you on a fascinating and richly
Triangle (info)
of the fact that I
illustrated tour that deftly blends history and science to create an unforgettable survey
8. Cables and Arches The
of our world's most remarkable structural masterpieces, one informed by the
consider the products
Power of the Parabola (info)
fundamentals of structural engineering and their underlying scientific principles.
from [The Great 9. Loads and Structural Systems
(info)
Courses] to be the best
Discover the Fundamental Characteristics of Great Structures
10. Egypt and Greece Pyramids
value in college-level
to the Parthenon (info)
Great structures are
education today."
11. The Glory of Rome in Arches
testaments to the power of scientific principles at the heart of engineering and
and Vaults (info)
 H. MCFARLAND, MIDWEST BOOK
physics;
12. The Rise and Fall of the
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windows into the ways that great civilizations have enhanced their quality of life
Gothic Cathedral (info)
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through innovation;
13. Three Great Domes Rome
solutions to concerns about everyday life, including transportation and work
to the Renaissance (info)
space; and
14. How Iron and Science
magnificent works of art in themselves.
Transformed Arch Bridges
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To explore the world's greatest structures is to discover secrets hidden from casual
and new releases (privacy policy) 15. Suspension Bridges The
observation. To grasp the basic engineering principles that make constructing these
Battle of the Cable (info)
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grand works possible. And to better appreciate the way their characteristics appear in
16. Suspension Bridges The
the ordinary structures all around you.
Challenge of Wind (info)
17. Great Cantilever Bridges
So what are the qualities that make a particular structure so great? In Understanding
 Tragedy and Triumph (info)
the World's Greatest Structures, Professor Ressler selects a wealth of impressive
18. The Rise of Iron- and Steel-
examples based on the ways they exemplify not just aesthetic form and function but
Framed Buildings (info)
 more importantly structure, the system of load-carrying elements that allow a
19. The Great Skyscraper Race
particular building, bridge, or tower to work.
(info)
Examine the Science of Structure
20. The Beauty and Versatility of
Modern Concrete (info)
You spend the first few lectures delving into the scientific principles that govern six
21. Amazing Thin Shells
21. Amazing Thin Shells
basic types of structural elements; the building blocks that compose nearly all of the
 Strength from Curvature
world's structures, from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to the Guggenheim Museum in
(info)
Spain. Among the elements you'll learn to understand are
22. Vast Roof Systems of Iron and
Steel (info)
arches, a central feature of ancient Roman architecture that carries load entirely
23. The Incredible Lightness of
in compression and requires vertical and horizontal reactions to carry load;
Tension Structures (info)
columns, which carry load primarily in compression and which have been
24. Strategies for Understanding
integral components of great structures from antiquity to the present day; and
Any Structure (info)
cables, which carry load entirely in tension and change their shape in response
to applied loads.
In each instance, you explore the scientific principles behind these elements, often
with the aid of physical demonstrations and detailed computer models that allow you
to see the science in action. You'll also see how these elements often work together in
vast structural systems that support a range of buildings, bridges, and towers from
around the world.
Embark on a Whirlwind Tour of Great Structures
Once you've mastered how these and other elements work, you embark on a
whirlwind tour of more than 150 great structures that takes you from the deserts of
ancient Egypt to the skyscraper race of early 20th-century New York to the
inventiveness of postmodern architecture. You'll learn new insights into some of
civilization's most impressive buildings, bridges, and towers.
Parthenon: No structure exemplifies the ancient Greek love of geometry better
than this temple. While known for its perfect proportions and architectural
refinements, the Parthenon is actually a rather unsophisticated structural design
 especially in its use of interior colonnades to support the roof.
Eiffel Tower: One of the most recognizable structures in the world, the Eiffel
Tower is composed of iron bars arranged in interconnected triangles called
trusses. This framework was used for three reasons: trusses are strong, stiff, and
light; they can reach great heights with many small elements; and they allow for
versatility of form.
Brooklyn Bridge: The four main cables of this landmark suspension bridge are
central to its ability to span the East River in New York City. Each of these cables is
built up from over 5,000 steel wires individually pulled across the river by a unique
mechanical device called a traveler.
But what makes Understanding the World's Greatest Structures so comprehensive
is that it also considers structures that, while perhaps less familiar or more recently
built, are just as important to fully grasping the intricacy of structural engineering.
These include
the Salginatobel Bridge in Switzerland, a revolutionary three-hinged concrete
arch;
the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world's tallest building; and
the Houston Astrodome, the world's first domed stadium.
Throughout these lectures, Professor Ressler draws intriguing connections between
buildings and structures separated by thousands of miles and years. For example,
you'll discover that the Houston Astrodome features the same intricate steel
framework as an iron dome designed in 1802 for the Paris Grain Market. In making
comparisons such as these, you'll learn as much from the differences as from the
similarities.
Learn from Educational Expertise and Dynamic 3-D Models
A Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Professor
Ressler is a structural engineering expert and a consummate guide into the basics of
engineering mechanics. His work and his dedication to engineering education have
won him numerous national awards, including the ASCE Outstanding Projects and
Leaders Award the organization's highest honor. He brings this same award-winning
knowledge and dedication to every lecture of Understanding the World's Greatest
Structures.
In addition, the lectures feature many physical models that Professor Ressler uses to
make engineering concepts more accessible. Couple this with the stunning 3-D
animations that re-create and allow you to take apart individual pieces of great
structures, and you have an engaging learning experience that will change the way you
think about the buildings around you.
With this masterful course, the next time you come across an amazing structure
 whether you're traveling to another city or flipping through a magazine you'll be able
to confidently explain just how on Earth they did that.
About Your Professor
Dr. Stephen Ressler is Professor of Civil Engineering at the United States Military
Academy at West Point and a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil
Engineers (ASCE). A registered Professional Engineer in Virginia, he earned a B.S.
from West Point and an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University,
as well as a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Professor Ressler's papers on engineering education have won seven Best Paper
awards from the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Professor
Ressler has also won numerous awards from the ASCE, including the President's
Medal and the 2011 Outstanding Projects and Leaders Award the organization's
highest award. His other accolades include the Bliss Medal for Outstanding
Contributions to Engineering Education from the Society of American Military
Engineers and the Norm Augustine Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering
Communications from the American Association of Engineering Societies.
A colonel in the Army Corps of Engineers, Professor Ressler has served on military
engineering assignments around the world. He is also a developer and principal
instructor for the Excellence in Civil Engineering Education Teaching Workshop, which
has trained more than 500 civil engineering faculty members from more than 200
colleges and universities.
Available Exclusively on Video
This course features more than 300 dynamic visual elements to enhance your
learning experience, including 3-D animations, in-studio physical models and
demonstrations, diagrams, and breathtaking photographs.
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Customer Ratings & Reviews Summary
Average Customer Rating: 5 out of 5
18 of 18 (100%) customers w ould recommend the course to a friend.
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Outstanding course
Overall Rating
Date: May 6, 2011
Course Content
Professor
"Dr. Ressler's course on structures is the
Presentation
best course of the 28 that I have
Course Value
purchased. This is not to denigrate the
other 27 courses, because I have
raisethebar
thoroughly enjoyed them, but Dr. Ressler is
(read all my reviews)
an extraordinary teacher. All my other
Location: Canton, MI
courses have been primarily high quality
entertainment while I was learning. The
Structures course was a great learning
experience and enthralling entertainment.
My 6 year old grandson happened to be
nearby when I was watching one of the
lectures and he stopped what he was
doing to listen to Dr. Ressler explain a
topic. I believe what attracted him was Dr.
Ressler explaining a topic by building a
model. The live demonstations using
models was probably the highlight of the
course.
I would love to see another course by Dr.
Ressler. I believe he could make dirt
exciting."
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful to
you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate
Review)
Overall Rating Savor This Course Like A Fine
Wine
Course Content
Date: May 2, 2011
Professor
Presentation
"My family and I savored this course like a
Course Value
fine wine, looking forward to watching a
section of it almost every day for a month.
lspikol
You should buy this course.
(read all my reviews)
(read all my reviews)
While watching it you will-
Location: Allentown,Pa
-- get caught up in Dr. Ressler's contagious
enthusiasm for his topic and excellent
teaching.
-- Appreciate and understand all of the
topics, buildings that demonstrate the
concepts and models that also
demonstrate the concepts. The use of
these models was a unique addition to this
course.
-- If you have taken a basic physics course,
the scientific concepts presented will be a
refresher and demonstration of how these
basic concepts can be easily applied.
-- If you have no scientific background, this
course will give you tremendous intuitive
understanding of how great structures are
conceived and created.
-- Be given a tour de force of the world's
great structures.
When you finish this course you will be able
to look at almost any structure and
understand at a very high level the intent of
the engineer and architect, as well as how
the structure functions at its task whether it
be a bridge, stadium or large building. How
you view and understand the buildings of
mankind throughout history will never be
the same."
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate
Review)
Great Learning Experience
Overall Rating
Date: May 1, 2011
Course Content
Professor
"A fine lecturer, helpful models, and
Presentation
outstanding graphics make for a worthy
Course Value
course. I really didn't know what to expect.
I'm getting my money's worth, for sure."
jenni
(read all my reviews)
Location: Dallas, Oregon 1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate
Review)
Understanding Great Structures
Overall Rating
Date: April 30, 2011
Course Content
Professor
"Probably one of the best Teaching
Presentation
Company courses I have taken, and I have
Course Value
about 25 of them. The visuals (models,
demonstrations, formulas, photographs
SteveT
and videos are without a doubt the best of
(read all my reviews)
any other course.
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan
Having some background in physics and
math I probably understood the lectures on
engineering mechanics a bit better, but
even my wife, with no technical background,
seemed to grasp the basic concepts. I
would even have liked a bit more theoretical
information, (e.g. the derivatiion of Eulers'
buckling equation.)
I believe this course is a must for anyone
planning to travel anywhere in the world to
see the world's great churches, buildings,
towers and bridges.
I am planning to visit Italy and France again
this year and will now have a completely
new and exciting perspective for my trip."
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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