How to Prepare for Structural Analysis for GATE Civil Engineering: Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering is a national level examination conducted every year. It is one of the most popular exams among students aspiring to seek admissions tothe post-graduate engineering courses like M.Tech, M.E offered by the IITs, NITs, other GFTI and various private institutions.
GATE online examination will be conducted on the dates 4, 5, 11 and 12 February 2017. Civil Engineering is among the list of most exciting professions of all. Candidates aspiring to appear for GATE Civil Engineering exam must start preparing as only a few months time is left. In this article, we will give you complete information on how to prepare for Structural Analysis for GATE Civil Engineering.
How to Prepare for Structural Analysis for GATE Civil Engineering
Structural Analysis involves determining structures by force/ energy methods and topics such as Method of superposition etc. Many candidates have confusion on how to and what to prepare for structural analysis. Before starting any topic, one must go through the entire syllabus for each section. GATE Civil Engineering syllabus is quite extensive and one needs to allocate time accordingly for each topic.
For structural analysis, one needs to have his/her basics cleared as it involves theoretical knowledge. Once, you go through the syllabus, you must analyze the important topics or which topics will help you score better. You must have a clear cut idea on what to study and what not to study.
To help you in analyzing the important topics for structural analysis we have mentioned a table below. It indicates the pattern of questions in GATE Civil engineering papers from the year 2007 to 2016.
Analysis of Paper Pattern for Structural Analysis
Year | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Topics |
2016 Set 1 | 1 Mark – 1 2 Marks – 1 |
3 | Deflection of beam Truss & Strain |
2016 Set 2 | 1 Mark – 1 2 Marks – 2 |
5 | Force in Truss Kinematic indeterminacy in Truss |
2015 Set 1 | 1 Mark – 2 2 Marks – 2 |
6 | Matrix Method of Structural Analysis Internal Forces in Beams Slope and Deflection Method Trusses and Arches Displacement Method |
2015 Set 2 | 1 Mark – 1 2 Marks – 1 |
3 | Matrix Method of Structural Analysis Trusses and Arches |
2014 Set 1 | 1 Mark – 2 2 Marks – 4 |
10 | Trusses and Arches Influence Line Diagram and Rolling Loads Slope and Deflection Method |
2014 Set 2 | 1 Mark – 1 2 Marks – 4 |
9 | Degree of Static Indeterminacy Slope and Deflection Method Trusses And Arches |
2013 | 1 Mark – 1 2 Marks – 6 |
13 | Slope and Deflection Method Influence Line Diagram and Rolling Loads Matrix Method of Structural Analysis |
2012 | 1 Mark – 0 2 Marks – 2 |
4 | Slope and Deflection Method Matrix Method of Structural Analysis |
2011 | 1 Mark – 0 2 Marks – 2 |
4 | Slope and Deflection Method |
2010 | 1 Mark – 1 2 Marks – 1 |
3 | Trusses and Arches |
2009 | 1 Mark – 0 2 Marks – 3 |
6 | Trusses and Arches Slope and Deflection Method |
2008 | 1 Mark – 0 2 Marks – 6 |
12 | Trusses and Arches Influence Line Diagram and Rolling Loads Slope and Deflection Method |
2007 | 1 Mark – 1 2 Marks – 4 |
9 | Matrix Method of Structural Analysis Influence Line Diagram and Rolling Loads Slope and Deflection Method |
Thus, from the above table, we can analyze which of the topics are most repetitive throughout the years. Here, we also see more number of 2 mark questions from various topics of Structural Analysis. Therefore, with the help of this table we can deduce the important topics to prepare for structural analysis. These are:
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Matrix Method of Structural Analysis
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Trusses and Arches
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Slope and Deflection Method
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Influence Line Diagram and Rolling Loads
From the above information we can clearly analyze the important topics to prepare for structural analysis. Now, you can not prepare by blindly following the syllabus from various reference books. What you need is a proper exam strategy that will help you utilize your time and efforts efficiently.
Now, let’s head to our next section of How to Prepare for structural analysis for GATE Civil Engineering to gain an insight in to the preparation tips involved.
Preparation Tips for Structural Analysis for GATE Civil Engineering
One requires arduous efforts to crack the GATE examination as it is one of the toughest exams of the country. In order to excel in the field of civil engineering, you need a positive and a thoughtful approach. For the topic of Structural Analysis, aspirants need to incorporate these preparation tips daily to yield the best result.
Analyze the Important Topics
One of the best preparation tips that we can offer is analyzing the important topics. You cannot overburden yourself with unnecessary topics that have little significance. For structural analysis, we suggest you to start with the important topics first which are mentioned above. Later on, if you get spare time focus on the rest of the topics.
Allocate Realistic Time to Topics
Let’s face it, with a few months time left, you need to cover all the subjects of GATE Civil Engineering paper. So, it is best advised that you must allocate time for each topic individually and formulate a study plan around it. Given the vastness of the syllabus, it is important for you to perform this exercise. Create a priority list and cover the first three topics first.
Practice with Previous Year’s Papers
You have to be familiar with the exam pattern for GATE Civil engineering and its respective topics. For that, we recommend you to start with getting hold of previous year’s GATE question papers. Solving the previous years’ papers religiously helps you develop an understanding of the pattern of questions.
Recommended: GATE Civil Engineering Previous Years Solved Papers
You also get the chance of analyzing its weightage of marks along with testing your performance. This exercise will help you locate your strengths and weaknesses.
Read, Practice and Revise
Make a time table. Follow it religiously. The more you practice questions from Mock Tests or Questions banks more better will be the outcome. You can refer to various books to prepare for structural analysis topic but you should use your time judiciously. One month from the exam, begin a revision exercise and go through everything in a systematic manner.
Finish your Preparation Well in Advance
Make sure to make a time table that allows you to finish your preparation well in advance. Dedicate your last month for previous years’ questions and mock tests. During the last month solve as many questions as you can and maintain your speed.
This is the most important step which many aspirants fail to take. Follow this approach and you will succeed in your GATE Civil Engineering examination.
Recommended: GATE Civil Engineering Practice e-Book
We hope this article provides you with useful information on How to Prepare for Structural analysis for GATE Civil Engineering. A practical and analytical mind will always ensure a positive result. Stay connected for more information regarding GATE 2017. To excel in Engineering Exams, download the Best GATE Exam Preparation App for free.
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