Design question paper Theory

Q1. Write three advantages of steel structures over R.C.C structures?

Answer: Steel structures offer several advantages over RCC structures:

* High strength-to-weight ratio: Steel is significantly lighter than concrete while offering
superior strength. This means lighter building weight, which simplifies construction,
reduces foundation requirements.

* Faster construction: Steel components can be prefabricated off-site under controlled

conditions, allowing for quicker assembly on-site compared to RCC which requires
curing time for concrete.

* Greater design flexibility: Steel’s superior strength allows for longer spans and more
flexible designs compared to RCC.

Q2. Write three differences between lap joint & butt joint?

Answer: three difference between lap joint and butt joint are,

Lap Joint:

1. Lap joint: Two pieces of steel overlap one another, creating a double thickness
along the joint area.
2. In a lap joint, the weld connects only a portion of the overlapping material, and
the force distribution is eccentric, which can lead to a weaker connection.
3. Lap joint: Often used for joining pieces of different thicknesses or for applications
where aesthetics or watertightness are critical.

Butt joint:

1. Butt joint: The ends of two steel pieces are placed directly next to each other,
creating a flush joint.
2. Butt joints are generally stronger than lap joints due to the way forces are
distributed in the joint.
 3. The preferred choice for high-strength applications where maximum strength and
structural integrity are essential.

Q3. Write three advantages of welded connection?

Answer: Welded connections offer several advantages over other joining methods in
steel structures:

* High Strength: Welding creates a permanent bond between the metals, resulting in a
joint that's often as strong, or even stronger, than the base material itself. This makes
them ideal for load-bearing structures.

* Leak-proof Seals: When properly welded, the joint creates a solid, leak-proof
connection. This is crucial for applications like pressure vessels, pipes, and tanks.

* Lightweight and Efficient: Compared to bolted or riveted connections, welds eliminate

the need for additional fasteners and overlapping materials. This translates to a cleaner
design and a lighter overall structure.

Q4. Name three factors on which strength of tension member depends?**(Important)

Answer: The strength of a tension member in steel design depends on three critical
factors:

* Material Properties: The inherent strength of the steel itself plays a major role.
High-strength steel grades can handle greater tensile forces before failure.

* Net Cross-Sectional Area: This refers to the area of the member available to resist
tension after accounting for any holes, cuts, or reductions in the cross-section due to
connections. A larger net area allows for higher tensile capacity.

* Connection Design: The strength of the connection between the tension member and
other elements is crucial. A well-designed connection ensures efficient load transfer and
prevents premature failure at the connection point.

Q5. Name three modes of failure of riveted connection?

Answer: There are three main modes of failure that can occur in riveted connections:

* Shearing of the rivet: This happens when the applied load exerts a force that causes
the rivet to tear apart along its cross-sectional area.

* Bearing failure: When the bearing pressure between the rivet shank and the
surrounding plate material becomes excessive, the plate material around the rivet hole
can crush or deform.

* Tearing of the plate: If the applied tensile load is too high for the plate itself to handle,
the plate material surrounding the rivet hole can tear or break.

Q6. Name three modes of failure of axially loaded compression member?

Answer: Axially loaded compression members in steel structures can fail in three
primary ways:

* Flexural Buckling: This occurs when the slenderness ratio (length versus width) of the
member is high, and the member bends sideways under compression. It appears like
bowing or buckling of the entire member.

* Compressive Yielding: In short, stocky columns, the material itself crushes or yields
due to the high compressive stress exceeding its yield strength. This results in a
shortening and loss of load-carrying capacity.

* Local Buckling: For members with thin sections like hollow tubes or channels, the
individual plate elements buckle inwards without overall bending of the member. This is
particularly relevant for compression members with hollow sections or sheet
components.

Q7. Name three rolled steel sections used in design of various steel structures?

Answer: Here are three commonly used rolled steel sections in steel structure design:

* I-sections (Beam sections): These versatile sections have a capital "I" shape with wide
flanges and a central web. Their high strength-to-weight ratio makes them ideal for
beams, columns, and lintels.
* Channels: Channel sections resemble a "U" shape with a flat base and vertical web.
They're often used for purlins, beams supporting non-structural elements like roofs, or
as bracing members in trusses.

* Angle sections: As the name suggests, these L-shaped sections are popular for
braces, columns, and connection elements due to their ability to transfer loads efficiently
in two directions.

Q8. Explain the various types of welded joints?

Answer: There are five major types of welded joints used in steel construction, each
with distinct characteristics and applications:

* Butt Joint: This joint directly connects two pieces of steel placed end-to-end. It offers
the strongest connection when properly welded but requires good alignment and fit-up.

* Lap Joint: Here, one piece overlaps the other, creating a double thickness along the
joint. Lap joints are simpler to prepare but can be slightly weaker due to eccentric force
distribution.

* Tee Joint: This T-shaped joint connects a beam or

member perpendicularly to another element. It's commonly used in columns and beam
connections.

* Corner Joint: As the name suggests, this joint connects two members at a corner,
forming an internal or external corner. Corner joints can be further categorized based on
the specific geometry.

* Edge Joint: This joint welds the edge of one member to the side of another. It's often
used for attaching flange plates or stiffeners to beams or columns.

Q9.What are the design steps for design of a compression member?

Answer: The design steps for a compression member in steel structure typically involve:
* Selecting a trial section
* Determining the effective length
* Calculating the slenderness ratio
* Determining the design strength
* Checking for shear and bearing

Q10. Write two advantages and disadvantages of bolted connections?

Answer:

advantages:

* Ease of assembly and disassembly: Bolted joints can be easily assembled and
disassembled on-site, which is beneficial for temporary structures or those requiring
future maintenance access.

* Simple inspection and repair: Bolted connections can be visually inspected for loose
or damaged bolts, and replacement is relatively straightforward.

Disadvantages:

* Bulkier connections: Compared to welds, bolted connections require more material

due to the overlapping joint and the holes required for the bolts. This can add weight to
the structure.

* Potential for loosening: Over time, bolted connections can loosen due to vibration or
cyclic loading. This necessitates regular inspection and tightening of bolts.

Q11. What are called lug angles, gusset plates and laterally supported beams?

Answer:

* Lug angles: These are small angle sections welded to the main member of a
structure, particularly at connections. Their purpose is to reduce the size of the gusset
plate needed for the connection and improve the distribution of forces between the
member and the bolts.

* Gusset plates: Gusset plates are flat steel plates used to create connections between
beams, columns, or other structural members. They provide a larger surface area for
welds or bolts to transfer loads between the connected elements.

* Laterally supported beams: Beams are structural members primarily designed to

resist bending loads acting perpendicular to their axis. Laterally supported beams have
additional support to prevent them from twisting or swaying sideways due to wind loads,
eccentric loads, or other lateral forces. This lateral support can be provided by bracing
elements, shear walls, or connections that restrict sideways movement.

Q12. Write four advantages of riveted connection over welded connectio?

Answer: While riveting has largely been replaced by welding due to its limitations,
riveted connections do offer some advantages in specific situations:
* Inspection and Quality Control: Rivet joints are easier to inspect visually compared to
welds. This can be beneficial for applications where ongoing monitoring is crucial or for
non-destructive testing methods.
* Versatility for Brittle Materials: Riveting can be a suitable joining method for some
brittle materials that may crack under the high heat of welding.
* Lower Skill Requirement: Installing rivets requires less skill compared to welding,
which can be advantageous in situations where skilled welders are unavailable or for
simpler projects.
* Disassembly Potential: Riveted joints can be drilled out and disassembled if
necessary, allowing for easier future modifications or repairs in certain scenarios.

Q13. Mention four advantages of steel as a structural material?

Answer: Steel is a popular choice for structures due to its:

* High strength-to-weight ratio: Lighter structures, faster construction.

* Faster construction: Prefabricated components for quicker assembly.

* Design flexibility: Enables long spans and complex shapes.

* Sustainability: Recyclable material with potential for reuse.

Q14. What is a tacking rivet? What is the maximum recommended value of pitch for
tacking rivets in case of compression member of thickness 't'?

Answer: Tacking rivets are temporary fasteners used to hold steel members together
during assembly and alignment before permanent fasteners like bolts or welds are
applied. They don't carry any significant structural load themselves.

Maximum Pitch for Tacking Rivets in Compression Members

The recommended maximum pitch (spacing) for tacking rivets in a compression
member with thickness t depends on exposure conditions:

* For sheltered or unexposed members: The maximum pitch is typically 12 times the
member thickness (t) or 200 mm, whichever is less.

* For members exposed to weather: The recommended pitch is more conservative at 8

times the member thickness (t) or 200 mm, whichever is less.