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Genera Introduction A Bout Structural Engineering

Structural engineering involves designing structures to safely resist forces. The structural engineer determines load types and magnitudes, considers structural context limitations, analyzes design alternatives, selects a system, and implements detailed design. Loads include dead loads from structural elements, live loads from occupants/contents, dynamic loads from moving objects, wind loads, earthquake loads, and more. Structures have load paths that transmit loads to foundations; different structures have different load paths, and some have redundancy. The goal is to safely and economically route loads through structural elements.

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21 views

Genera Introduction A Bout Structural Engineering

Structural engineering involves designing structures to safely resist forces. The structural engineer determines load types and magnitudes, considers structural context limitations, analyzes design alternatives, selects a system, and implements detailed design. Loads include dead loads from structural elements, live loads from occupants/contents, dynamic loads from moving objects, wind loads, earthquake loads, and more. Structures have load paths that transmit loads to foundations; different structures have different load paths, and some have redundancy. The goal is to safely and economically route loads through structural elements.

Uploaded by

denis1808scribd
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Structural Engineering

Dr. Salah Altoubat Spring 2006

Outline
Objective of Structural Engineering Structural Engineering Process Types of loads Types of structures Load paths in structures Summary

Civil Engineering Sub disciplines


structural geotechnical environmental transportation construction

Objectives of Structural Engineering


Structural engineering is the science and art of designing and making, with economy and elegance, buildings, bridges, frameworks, and other structures so that they can safely resist the forces to which they may be subjected.

The Structural Engineer, Official Journal of the British Institute of Structural Engineers

Structural Engineering Process


Determine types magnitudes of loads Determine structural context
geometric and geological information cost / schedule / height/ etc. limitations

Generate alternative structural systems Analyze one or more alternatives Select and perform detailed design Implement (usually done by contractor)

Types of loads
Dead loads Live loads Dynamic loads (e.g., trains, equipment) Wind loads Earthquake loads Thermal loads Settlement loads

Dead Loads
weight of the structure itself
floors, beams, roofs, decks, beams/stringers, superstructure

loads that are always there

Live Loads
People, furniture, equipment Loads that may move or change mass or weight Minimum design loadings are usually specified in the building code

Load Example: Live Load in Ballroom


Ballroom Live Load = 100 lb/ft^2

Dynamic Loads
Moving loads (e.g. traffic) Impact loads Gusts of wind Loads due to cycling machinery

Load Example: Dynamic Load


HVAC F t

Load Example: Water in a dam


Water, = density

p = gh

Earthquake Loads
Structure loaded when base is shaken Response of structure is dependent on the frequency of motion When frequencies match with natural frequency of structure - resonance

Load Example: Earthquake Load

Earthquake Load

Earthquake Load

Base Motion

Settlement

Some Types of Structures


Arch Planar Truss Beam/Girder Braced Frame Rigid Frame Space Truss Cable Suspended Structure

Arch

Planar Truss

Beam/Girder

Frames
Braced Rigid

Cable Suspended Structure

Cable Stayed Bridge

Load Paths in Structures


Load Path is the term used to describe the path by which loads are transmitted to the foundations Different structures have different load paths Some structures have only one path Some have several (redundancy good)

Load Path in Framed Structure

Load Path in a Tied Arch

Summary
Structural Engineering:
identifies loads to be resisted identifies alternatives for providing load paths (arch, truss, frame, ...) designs structure to provide safe and economical load paths (material, size, connections) to be economical and safe, we must be able to predict what forces are in structure.

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