INTRODUCTION TO

STEEL AND TIMBER

Module 1
 Module 1 – Course Outline
● 1.1 Introduction

● 1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes

● 1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer

● 1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel

● 1.7 Design Load Consideration

● 1.8 Structural Properties of Steel

● 1.9 Types of Structural Steel

STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Maybe defined as a mixture of art and science (behavior of a structure with a sound knowledge of
the principle of statics, dynamics, strength of materials, and structural analysis, to produce a
safe and economical structure that will serve its intended purpose.)

Structural design of buildings involves the

• Planning of the structure for specific purposes,
• Proportioning of members to carry loads in the most economical manner, and
• Considerations for erection at site.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
In any design, certain criteria must be established to evaluate whether or not an optimum solution
has been achieved. For structural critical criteria may be,

a) Minimum cost
b) Minimum weight
c) Minimum construction time
d) Minimum labor
e) Maximum efficiency to owner
 Module 1 – Course Outline
● 1.1 Introduction

● 1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes

● 1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer

● 1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel

● 1.7 Design Load Consideration

● 1.8 Structural Properties of Steel

● 1.9 Types of Structural Steel

Advantages of Steel As Structural Materials
High Strength
• The high strength of steel per unit weight means dead loads will be small. This fact is of great importance for long
spans bridges, and for structures having poor foundation conditions.

Uniformity
• The properties of steel do not change appreciably with time as do those of a reinforced concrete structure.

Elasticity
• It is the property of a material to regain its shape and size after removal of load. Steel behaves closer to the design
assumptions than most materials because it follows Hooke’s Law up to fairly high stresses. The moment of inertia
of steel structure can be definitely calculated while the values obtained for reinforced concrete structures are rather
indefinite.

Malleability
• It is the property of a material due to which it can be rolled into thin sheets without rupture. Malleability of a
material increases with increasing temperature.

Toughness
• is the property of a material due to which it can be stretched, bent or twisted under a high stress before fracture.
Advantages of Steel As Structural Materials
Hardness
• Is the property of a material that enables it to resist abrasion, indentation and scratching. Hardness on material
decreases on heating.
Creep
• Is the continuous slow deformation of a material under a constant stress.

Permanence
• Steel frames that are properly maintained will last indefinitely

Ductility
• It is the property of a material to withstand extensive deformation without failure under a high tensile stresses.

Additions to Existing Structure

• Steel structures are quite well suited to having additions made to them. New bays or even entire new wings can be
added to existing steel frame buildings, and steel bridges may often be widened.

Miscellaneous
• Several other important advantages of structural steel are: (a) ability to be fastened together by several simple
connection devices including welds, bolts and rivets, (b) adaptation to pre fabrication, (c) speed of erection, (d)
ability to be rolled into wide variety of sizes and shapes, (e) toughness, (f) possible reused after structure is
disassembled and (g) scrap value even though not reusable in its existing form.
 Module 1 – Course Outline
● 1.1 Introduction

● 1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes

● 1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer

● 1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel

● 1.7 Design Load Consideration

● 1.8 Structural Properties of Steel

● 1.9 Types of Structural Steel

Disadvantages of Steel As Structural Materials
Maintenance Cost
• Most steel are susceptible for corrosion when freely exposed to air and water and must
therefore be periodically painted. The use of weathering steel in suitable design
applications tends to eliminate this cost.
• Steel is an excellent heat conductor. Non-fireproofed steel members may transmit enough
heat from a burning section or compartment of a building to ignite materials with which
they are in contact in adjoining sections of the building.

Susceptibility to Buckling
• As the length and slenderness of a compression member is increased, its danger of buckling
increases. For most structures, the use of steel columns is very economical because of their
high strength-to-weight ratios. However, some additional steel is needed to stiffen them so
they will not buckle. This tends to reduce their economy.
Fatigue
• Another undesirable property of steel is that its strength may be reduced if it is subjected to
a large number of stress reversals or even to a large number of variations of tensile stress.
 Module 1 – Course Outline
● 1.1 Introduction

● 1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes

● 1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer

● 1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel

● 1.7 Design Load Consideration

● 1.8 Structural Properties of Steel

● 1.9 Types of Structural Steel

COMMON STRUCTURAL STEEL
SHAPES
A. Wide Flange Section (W Shapes)
Wide flange I or H shaped steel beam are referred to as W shapes and are designated by the letter
W followed by their nominal depth in inches with their mass in pound per linear foot given last.
For example W12 x 31 means that this W shape is 12 inches nominal depth and has a mass of
31lb/ft. this shape consist of two rectangular shaped flanges connected by a rectangular web plate.
It is symmetrical about x and y-axes
𝑦

𝑥
COMMON STRUCTURAL STEEL
SHAPES
B. I-Beam (S Shapes)
These shapes were formerly called the American Standard Beams. They are produced in
accordance with the dimensions adopted in 1896. The difference between W and S shapes are; the
flange width of S shape is narrower than the W shape, the inner face of the flanges of the S shape
has slope of about 16.7o.
COMMON STRUCTURAL STEEL
SHAPES
C. Channel Sections ( [ - Shapes)
These shapes were formerly called as the American Standard Channels. The theoretical and
nominal depth are identical. The inner face of the flange has the same slope as S shapes. A
[ 5 x 9 is a standard channel shape with a nominal depth of 5 inches with a mass of 9 lb/ft.
COMMON STRUCTURAL STEEL
SHAPES
D. Angle Sections (L Shapes)
These are either equal or unequal leg angles. All angles have parallel flange faces. An L 6 x 6
x ¼ is an equal leg angle with leg dimensions of 6inches and 6inches and a leg thickness of
¼ inch.
COMMON STRUCTURAL STEEL
SHAPES
E. Tee Sections (T Shapes)
Structural tees are obtained by splitting W or S shape such that each split section has one half the
original area of the original shape. Material loss caused by splitting either by sewing or flamed
cutting is disregarded. A WT6 x 15.5 is a structural tee with 6inches nominal depth and mass of
15.5lb/ft obtained by splitting a W12 x 31 shape.
COMMON STRUCTURAL STEEL
SHAPES
F. Structural Tubes
COMMON STRUCTURAL STEEL
SHAPES
G. Plates and Bars
 Module 1 – Course Outline
● 1.1 Introduction

● 1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes

● 1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer

● 1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel

● 1.7 Design Load Consideration

● 1.8 Structural Properties of Steel

● 1.9 Types of Structural Steel

OBJECTIVES OF STRUCTURAL
DESIGNER
WORK OF THE STRUCTURAL DESIGNER
Arranges and proportions structures and their parts so that they will satisfactorily support the
loads to which they may feasibly be subjected.

Involved with:
• The general layout of structures
• Studies of possible structural forms
• Consideration of loading conditions
• Analysis of stresses, deflections, and so on
• Design of parts
• Preparation of design drawings

The word design pertains to the proportioning

Of the various parts of a structure after the
Forces have been calculated
OBJECTIVES OF STRUCTURAL
DESIGNER
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STRUCTURAL DESIGNER
• Safety
• The frame of a structure shall safely support the loads to which it is subjected
• Deflections and vibrations are not so great in order not to frighten the occupants or to
cause unsightly cracks.

• Cost
• The designer needs to keep in mind the factors that can lower cost without sacrifice of
strength.
• These include the use of standard-size members, simple connections and details, and
members, and materials that will not require an unreasonable amount of maintenance
through the years
OBJECTIVES OF STRUCTURAL
DESIGNER
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STRUCTURAL DESIGNER
• Constructability
• The design of structures shall be fabricated and erected without great problems.
• The designer should learn everything possible about the detailing, fabrication, and field
erection of steel.
• It also concerns the transportation of the materials to the job site (such as the largest
pieces that can be transported practically by rail or truck), labor conditions, and the
equipment available for erection.
 Module 1 – Course Outline
● 1.1 Introduction

● 1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes

● 1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer

● 1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel

● 1.7 Design Load Consideration

● 1.8 Structural Properties of Steel

● 1.9 Types of Structural Steel

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR STRUCTURAL
STEEL
The design of most structures is governed by specifications.

• National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP)

The contents of this code for steel are patterned after the:
• American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
• American Welding Society (AWS)
• American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
• American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way
Association
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
 Module 1 – Course Outline
● 1.1 Introduction

● 1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes

● 1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer

● 1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel

● 1.7 Design Load Consideration

● 1.8 Structural Properties of Steel

● 1.9 Types of Structural Steel

DESIGN LOAD CONSIDERATIONS
The determination of the loads to which a structure will be subjected Is an estimate. Some of
which are:
Dead Load
• Is a fixed-position gravity service load, so called because it acts continuously toward the
earth when the structure is in service.
• Includes the weight of the structure, attachments such as pipes, electrical conduit, air-
conditioning, and heating ducts, lighting fixtures, floor covering, roof covering, and
suspended ceilings.
DESIGN LOAD CONSIDERATIONS
Live Load
• Gravity loads acting when the structure is in service, but varying in magnitude and
location. Examples are human occupants, furniture, movable equipment, vehicles, and
stored goods.
Highway Live Load
• Highway vehicle loadings standardized by AASHTO into standard truck loads and lane
loads that approximate a series of trucks.
DESIGN LOAD CONSIDERATIONS
Impact
• The term impact as ordinarily used in structural
design refers to the dynamic effect of a suddenly
applied load.

Snow Load
• The live loading for which roofs are designed is
either totally or primarily a snow load. However, this
is not applicable in the Philippine setting.
DESIGN LOAD CONSIDERATIONS
Wind Load
• All structures are subject to wind load, but usually
only those more than three or four stories high, as
well as long bridges, require special consideration

• On any typical building of rectangular plan and

elevation, wind exerts pressure on the windward side
and suction on the leeward side, as well as either
uplift or downward pressure on the roof.
DESIGN LOAD CONSIDERATIONS
Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Washington)
• “Galloping Gertie”
• Built during the 1930’s
• Opened to traffic on July 1, 1940
• 4 months after completion, it
collapsed.
• Engineers had not properly considered
the aerodynamic forces.
DESIGN LOAD CONSIDERATIONS
Earthquake Load
• An earthquake consists of horizontal and vertical
ground motion
• Vertical motion (smaller magnitude) but horizontal
motion causes the most significant effect.
• When the ground under an object (structure) having
mass suddenly moves, the inertia of the mass tends
to resist the movement. A shear force is developed
between the ground and the mass.
 Module 1 – Course Outline
● 1.1 Introduction

● 1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes

● 1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer

● 1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel

● 1.7 Design Load Consideration

● 1.8 Structural Properties of Steel

● 1.9 Types of Structural Steel

STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF STEEL
1. Yield Stress, Fy. Is that unit tensile stress at which the
stress-strain curve exhibits a well-defined increase in strain
(deformation) without an increase in stress.

2. Tensile strength, Fu. Is the largest unit stress that the

material achieves in a tension test.

3. Modulus of Elasticity, E. is the slope of the initial

straight line portion of the stress-strain diagram. The usual
range for all steel is 193 to 207 GPa. The value used for
design is 200 GPa.

4. Weldability. Is the property of steel to be welded without

changing its basic mechanical properties.
STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF STEEL
5. Shear Modulus, G.
For any elastic material, shear modulus is given by the
formula:
𝐸
𝐺=
2(1+𝜇)

Where: is the Poisson’s ratio equal to 0.3 for steel.

6. Coefficient of Expansion,

Where Tf and Ti are the final and initial temperature

respectively, in oC and L in meter. ΔL is
the change in length due to change in temperature.
7. Mass Density
The mass density of steel is 7850 kg/m3.
The specific gravity is 7.85
 Module 1 – Course Outline
● 1.1 Introduction

● 1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material

● 1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes

● 1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer

● 1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel

● 1.7 Design Load Consideration

● 1.8 Structural Properties of Steel

● 1.9 Types of Structural Steel

TYPES OF STRUCTURAL STEEL
There are three groups of hot-rolled structural steels for use in buildings.
1. Carbon Steels – use carbon as the chief strengthening elements with minimum yield stresses
ranging from 200 MPa to 290 MPa. An increase in carbon content raises the yield stress but reduce
ductility, making welding more difficult.
Limits of Contents (Max percentages):
Carbon = 1.70%
Manganese = 1.65%
Silicon = 0.60%
Copper = 0.60%

Category Carbon Percentages

1. Low-carbon steel < 0.15%

2. Mild steel 0.15% to 0.29%

3. Medium-carbon steel 0.30% to 0.59%

4. High-carbon steel 0.60% to 1.70%

TYPES OF STRUCTURAL STEEL
There are three groups of hot-rolled structural steels for use in buildings.
2. High-strength low-alloy steels – have yield stresses from 480MPa to 840MPa. In addition to
carbon and manganese, these steels contain one or more alloying elements such as columbium,
vanadium, chromium, silicon, copper, and nickel.

The term low-alloy is used to describe steels for which the total of all the alloying
elements does not exceed 5 percent of the total composition of the steel.

3. Atmospheric, corrosion-resistant high strength low alloy steels – are obtained by heat-treating
low-alloy steels. The heat treatment consists of quenching (rapid cooling) and tempering
(reheating).
TYPES OF STRUCTURAL STEEL