In this guide
PRACTICE PROMPT
Use this fictional setting to practise clear reasoning. It is not an assessment or institution paper.
The setting
A steel portal frame, 24 m span, 6 m to eaves, on a 6 m bay spacing, with typical UK wind and snow.
Your task
Estimate rafter and column sizes by hand.
What a useful response would show
A plastic or elastic approach chosen and stated, with a sensible first sizing.
Reflect afterwards
- What assumption mattered most?
- What would you check before using this on a real project?
- Could another engineer follow your recommendation?