Stability and Collapse

This lecture covers the concepts of stability and collapse, focusing on the idea that a small perturbation can lead to a significant change in the structure's configuration, distinguishing between stable and unstable situations. The instructor explains various examples, such as a ball in a basin, a pendulum, and a car towing a trailer, to illustrate the principles of stability and instability. The lecture also delves into the importance of counter-bracing structures to prevent instability, using graphical tools like force diagrams to analyze and design structures effectively.