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Architectural Education · David Thaddeus, FAIA
The structural clarity
you wished for
in school.
The structural clarity you wished for in school.
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197
Video lessons
25+
Years teaching
FAIA
AIA College of Fellows
— 01
Video-first
Every structural concept on video, taught at the whiteboard by Prof. Thaddeus. No textbooks, no rote memorization.
— 02
ARE exam–ready
Built around the structural systems topics on the Architect Registration Exam. Prof. Thaddeus leads ARE prep seminars across the US and Canada.
— 03
Qualitative teaching
Research-backed visual methods. You will understand why structures behave the way they do — not just learn to plug numbers into formulas.
— 04
Architectural lens
Structural concepts taught through the lens of design decision-making — the way architects actually need to understand them.
What’s inside
A comprehensive library of structural lessons.
Every category architects encounter — from fundamental forces to advanced material behavior and lateral systems.
1 way
6 lessons →
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Wood: Wood Spanning Systems
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Trusses: 5. Trusses Method Of Sections Math
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Concrete: 2 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
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Concrete: 1 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
View all 6 lessons →
2 Pin
5 lessons →
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Span Types: 3. Stability & Determinacy Concepts
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Span Types: 3. Stability & Determinacy Concepts
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Span Types: 2. Span Types Images
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Span Types: 1. Toys Span Types
View all 5 lessons →
2 way
6 lessons →
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Wood: Wood Spanning Systems
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Trusses: 5. Trusses Method Of Sections Math
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Concrete: 2 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
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Concrete: 1 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
View all 6 lessons →
2-Pin Frame
2 lessons →
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Steel: Steel Spanning Systems
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Braced Frames: Toys Cbf Ebf 2pin 3 Pin
View all 2 lessons →
3 Pin
4 lessons →
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Span Types: 3. Stability & Determinacy Concepts
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Span Types: 3. Stability & Determinacy Concepts
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Span Types: 2. Span Types Images
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Span Types: 1. Toys Span Types
View all 4 lessons →
ACI
2 lessons →
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Concrete: 2 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
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Concrete: 1 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
View all 2 lessons →
Acoustic Insulation
2 lessons →
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Diaphragms: 3. Rigid Diaphragms 2
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Diaphragms: 3. Rigid Diaphragms 1
View all 2 lessons →
active lateral soil pressure
3 lessons →
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Shear Walls: 4 Sw Math
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Retaining Walls: 2a. Retaining Walls Overview Images
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Reactions: 3. Reactions Math Heavy
View all 3 lessons →
Active Lateral Soil PressureBearing Pressure
2 lessons →
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Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
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Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
View all 2 lessons →
active lateral soil pressureTension
1 lessons →
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Retaining Walls: 2c. Retaining Walls Forces
View all 1 lessons →
Actual
2 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 4. Stress V Strain Hooke's Law
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Geometry Of Sections: 4. Stress V Strain Concepts 2
View all 2 lessons →
Actual Deflection
3 lessons →
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General: Camber
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Deflection: Deflection Math Light
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Deflection: Deflection Concept
View all 3 lessons →
Adjacent
6 lessons →
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Forces & Load: Forces Terms & Math
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Forces & Load: Force Addition Graphic Math
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Forces & Load: Force Addition Algebraic Math 1
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Forces & Load: Forces Terms & Math
View all 6 lessons →
aggregate
3 lessons →
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Concrete: Gunite & Shotcrete
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Concrete: Honeycombing
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Concrete: Gunite & Shotcrete
View all 3 lessons →
Aggregate Pier
2 lessons →
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Foundations: Bearing
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Diaphragms: Foundations Overview
View all 2 lessons →
Agricultural
2 lessons →
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Loads: 3a. Wind Loads
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Loads: 2. Environmental Loads
View all 2 lessons →
Air Entrainment
2 lessons →
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Concrete: Concrete Tests
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Concrete: 5. Concrete Tests
View all 2 lessons →
Allowable
2 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 4. Stress V Strain Hooke's Law
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Geometry Of Sections: 4. Stress V Strain Concepts 2
View all 2 lessons →
Allowable deflection
3 lessons →
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General: Camber
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Deflection: Deflection Math Light
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Deflection: Deflection Concept
View all 3 lessons →
Allowable Lateral Pressure
2 lessons →
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Foundations: Bearing
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Diaphragms: Foundations Overview
View all 2 lessons →
Allowable Stress
3 lessons →
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Wood: Board Foot
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Trusses: 4. Truss Method Of Joints Math
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Foundations: Foundations Overview
View all 3 lessons →
aluminum
2 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 5 Geometry Of Sections Steel Shapes
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Concrete: Concrete Joints
View all 2 lessons →
American Concrete Institute
2 lessons →
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Concrete: 2 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
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Concrete: 1 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
View all 2 lessons →
Amplification
2 lessons →
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Loads: 4a. Seismic Loads
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Loads: 3a. Wind Loads Images
View all 2 lessons →
Anchor Bolt
4 lessons →
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Columns & Diagonal Braces: Column & Brace Slenderness 2
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Steel: Steel Spanning Systems
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Concrete: Anchor Bolts
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Columns & Diagonal Braces: Column & Brace Slenderness 2
View all 4 lessons →
anchor rods
4 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 1b. Stress Perpendicular
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Foundations: Bearing
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Diaphragms: Foundations Overview
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Concrete: 10 Types Of Joints
View all 4 lessons →
Ando
3 lessons →
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Concrete: 2 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
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Span Types: 1. Toys Span Types
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Concrete: 7b Prestressed Post Tensioned Concrete
View all 3 lessons →
Anemometer
3 lessons →
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Loads: 1. Loads Overview| Gravitational Loads Dl & Ll
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Loads: 2. Environmental Loads
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Loads: 1. Loads Overview| Gravitational Loads Dl & Ll
View all 3 lessons →
Angle
6 lessons →
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Forces & Load: Force Addition Graphic Math
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Forces & Load: Force Addition Graphic Concept
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Geometry Of Sections: 4 Geometry Of Sections Non Symmetrical Shapes
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Geometry Of Sections: 3 Geometry Of Sections Rectangle Combination Shapes
View all 6 lessons →
Angle of Repose
9 lessons →
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Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
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Shear Walls: 4 Sw Math
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Retaining Walls: 2c. Retaining Walls Forces
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Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
View all 9 lessons →
ARCH
8 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 1c. Stress Bearing & Thermal
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Trigonometry: 1. Trigonometry
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Support Conditions: Support Conditions
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Geometry Of Sections: 4. Stress V Strain Concepts 2
View all 8 lessons →
ARE 3.0, 3.1, 4.0 Structures Archive
36 lessons →
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Houston - Retaining Walls
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Jason-3a
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4 - Support Descriptions & Analysis-old
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10e - Truss Toys
View all 36 lessons →
Area
21 lessons →
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Shear & Bending Moment Diagrams: 6 Shear And Bending Moments For Standard Cases
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Shear & Bending Moment Diagrams: 5 Shear And Bending Moment Continuous Beams
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Geometry Of Sections: 1c. Stress Bearing & Thermal
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Columns & Diagonal Braces: Column & Brace Slenderness 2
View all 21 lessons →
Arm
3 lessons →
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Moments & Couples: Couples Definition
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Moments & Couples: Couples Definition
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Moment Frames: Toys Multi Story
View all 3 lessons →
Arrowhead
4 lessons →
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Forces & Load: Forces Terms & Math
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Forces & Load: Force Addition Algebraic Math 1
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Forces & Load: Forces Terms & Math
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Forces & Load: Force Addition Algebraic Math 1
View all 4 lessons →
ASCE 7
2 lessons →
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Wind: Wind Exposure Categories
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Trusses: 3. Truss Zero Members Simple Joints
View all 2 lessons →
Aspect Ratio
9 lessons →
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Wood: Wood Spanning Systems
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Trusses: 5. Trusses Method Of Sections Math
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Concrete: 2 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
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Concrete: 1 Way Concrete Spanning Systems
View all 9 lessons →
Assembly Occupancy
1 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 6 Geometry Of Sections Question
View all 1 lessons →
Axial
15 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 1c. Stress Bearing & Thermal
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Geometry Of Sections: 1a. Stress Intro & Axial
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Support Conditions: Support Conditions
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Geometry Of Sections: 4. Stress V Strain Hooke's Law
View all 15 lessons →
Axial Compression
4 lessons →
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Steel: Field Bolt Shop Weld
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Steel: End Plate Moment Connection
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Steel: Embed Plates
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Foundations: Foundations Overview
View all 4 lessons →
Axial Tension
5 lessons →
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Steel: Field Bolt Shop Weld
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Steel: End Plate Moment Connection
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Steel: Embed Plates
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Steel: Base Plates
View all 5 lessons →
Axis
6 lessons →
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Moments & Couples: Couples Definition
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Forces & Load: Forces Terms & Math
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Forces & Load: Force Addition Algebraic Math 1
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Moments & Couples: Couples Definition
View all 6 lessons →
backer rod
3 lessons →
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Loads: 4b. Seismic Loads Images
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Concrete: Concrete Joints
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Concrete: 7a Prestressed Pretensioned Precast Concrete
View all 3 lessons →
backfill
6 lessons →
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Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
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Retaining Walls: 2c. Retaining Walls Forces
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Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
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Retaining Walls: 2a. Retaining Walls Overview Images
View all 6 lessons →
Balanced Concrete Beam Design
1 lessons →
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Concrete: 8. Concrete Cover - Life Safety
View all 1 lessons →
Base Isolator
3 lessons →
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Retaining Walls: 2d. Retaining Walls Reinforcing Cantilever And Basement Walls With Toys
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Loads: 4a. Seismic Loads
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Loads: 3a. Wind Loads Images
View all 3 lessons →
Base Plate
5 lessons →
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Masonry: Mortar Guard Mortar Net
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Geometry Of Sections: 1b. Stress Perpendicular
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Foundations: Bearing
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Diaphragms: Foundations Overview
View all 5 lessons →
Base Shear
6 lessons →
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Shear Walls: 4 Sw Discussion
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Moment Frames: Bent
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Loads: 3a. Wind Loads Images
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Loads: 2. Environmental Loads
View all 6 lessons →
Basement Wall
2 lessons →
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Shear Walls: 4 Sw Math
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Retaining Walls: 2c. Retaining Walls Forces
View all 2 lessons →
Battered
2 lessons →
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Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
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Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
View all 2 lessons →
Beam
15 lessons →
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Moments & Couples: Moments Definition
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Moments & Couples: Couples Definition
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Geometry Of Sections: 1c. Stress Bearing & Thermal
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Geometry Of Sections: 1a. Stress Intro & Axial
View all 15 lessons →
Beam Bearing Plate
1 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 1b. Stress Perpendicular
View all 1 lessons →
Beams
5 lessons →
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Steel: Bridging
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General: Lintels
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Concrete: Steel Reinforcing
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Concrete: Chamfer
View all 5 lessons →
Beams and Stringers
2 lessons →
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Wood: Board Foot
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Trusses: 4. Truss Method Of Joints Math
View all 2 lessons →
Bearing
5 lessons →
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Shear & Bending Moment Diagrams: 1 Shear Simple Spans
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Geometry Of Sections: 1a. Stress Intro & Axial
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Shear & Bending Moment Diagrams: 1 Shear Simple Spans
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Geometry Of Sections: 1b. Stress Perpendicular
View all 5 lessons →
Bearing Pressure
2 lessons →
🔒
Shear Walls: 4 Sw Math
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Retaining Walls: 2a. Retaining Walls Overview Images
View all 2 lessons →
Bedrock
4 lessons →
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Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
🔒
Retaining Walls: 2b. Retaining Walls Terminology & Types
🔒
Retaining Walls: 2a. Retaining Walls Overview Images
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Loads: 3a. Wind Loads Images
View all 4 lessons →
Bell and Pier
2 lessons →
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Foundations: Bearing
🔒
Diaphragms: Foundations Overview
View all 2 lessons →
Bending
38 lessons →
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Span Types: 3. Stability & Determinacy Concepts
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Soils & Foundations: French Drain Aka Drain
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Geometry Of Sections: 1c. Stress Bearing & Thermal
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Geometry Of Sections: 1a. Stress Intro & Axial
View all 38 lessons →
Bending Moment
23 lessons →
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Shear & Bending Moment Diagrams: 6 Shear And Bending Moments For Standard Cases
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Shear & Bending Moment Diagrams: 5 Shear And Bending Moment Continuous Beams
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Shear & Bending Moment Diagrams: 4 Shear And Bending Overhangs
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Shear & Bending Moment Diagrams: 3 Shear And Bending Cantilevers
View all 23 lessons →
Bilateral Symmetry
5 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 1c. Stress Bearing & Thermal
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Geometry Of Sections: 4 Geometry Of Sections Non Symmetrical Shapes
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Geometry Of Sections: 3 Geometry Of Sections Rectangle Combination Shapes
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Geometry Of Sections: 2 Geometry Of Sections Rectangular Shapes
View all 5 lessons →
Bisector
2 lessons →
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Forces & Load: Force Addition Graphic Concept
🔒
Forces & Load: Force Addition Graphic Concept
View all 2 lessons →
blockout
3 lessons →
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Geometry Of Sections: 1b. Stress Perpendicular
🔒
Concrete: Anchor Bolts
🔒
Concrete: 10 Types Of Joints
View all 3 lessons →
Board Foot
3 lessons →
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Wood: Board Foot
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Trusses: 4. Truss Method Of Joints Math
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Geometry Of Sections: 6 Geometry Of Sections Question
View all 3 lessons →
bolster
4 lessons →
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Concrete: Chairs Bolsters Concrete Cover
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Concrete: 8. Concrete Cover - Life Safety
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Concrete: 3. Cip Concrete Reinforcing
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Concrete: 2. Cip Concrete Formwork
View all 4 lessons →
Recently added
Your instructor
David Thaddeus, FAIA
Registered architect and Professor of Structures at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte since 1999. His research centers on teaching structural concepts through visual and qualitative methods — the way architects actually need to understand them.
Professor Thaddeus leads Architect Registration Exam seminars on structural systems across the United States and Canada. He was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2019.
AIA Fellow 2019
UNC Charlotte
M.Arch Yale
ARE Structures
Hear how he teaches
“The question of whether a member is stable or unstable — determinate or indeterminate — is a simple matter of counting the number of reactions against the loading. Fewer than three reactions and the member is unstable. Exactly three, and you have three equations of equilibrium for three unknowns: stable and determinate, good to go.”— From Lesson 24 · Span Types: Stability & Determinacy Concepts · Transcript
From members
I went through structures twice in school and passed both times without ever really understanding it. Two weekends with these lessons and bending moments finally clicked — I can look at a frame now and actually see where the forces go.
Sarah K.ARE Candidate · Boston, MA
Passed Structural Systems on the first try. The exam isn’t testing whether you can plug numbers into a formula — it’s testing whether you understand behavior, and that’s exactly what David teaches.
Marcus T.Licensed Architect · Chicago, IL
My program barely touched structures, and I’d been quietly working around that gap for years. This filled it. I bring more to structural coordination meetings now and I’m not bluffing my way through them.
Priya M.Project Architect · San Francisco, CA
Stop guessing
at structure.
197 lessons. Taught by one of architecture’s leading structures educators. Get the visual understanding the ARE — and your practice — demands.