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Introduction................................................................................................................ 1
Question 1.................................................................................................................. 2
a) Structural Systems VS. Structural Elements........................................................2
b) Four basic structural elements and their functions in structural systems...........2
c) Basic types of structures used in the construction of structural systems............3
Figure 1 Showing the use of trusses in the construction of a roof........................3
Figure 2 Showing the construction setup of a frame............................................3
Figure 4 Showing an example of the use of a surface structure in a structural
system................................................................................................................. 5
Question 3.................................................................................................................. 6
a) Two main types of Structural Loads.....................................................................6
b) Types of Loading................................................................................................. 6
Figure 5 Showing two types of loading.................................................................6
References.................................................................................................................. 7
Introduction
A structure refers to a system of connected parts used to support a load. Examples
relevant to the field of civil engineering are as follows: buildings, towers, bridges
etc. (HIBBELER 2009) Structural analysis is the determination of the effects
of loads on physical structures and their components. Structures subject to this type
of analysis include all that must withstand loads, such as buildings, bridges,
vehicles, machinery, furniture, attire, soil strata, prostheses and biological tissue.
(WIKIPEDIA, Structural Analysis- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2013)
Question 1
a) Structural Systems VS. Structural Elements
A structural system is an assembly of structural elements so that support and
transmit loads safely to the ground without exceeding the allowable stress in the
members. As such a structural element is any support body that plays a role in the
construction of structures and buildings. Furthermore a system is also an internally
organised whole where elements are interconnected and operate as one in relation
to external conditions and other systems. Systems may be either simple or complex
in nature.
Examples of structural elements include: beams, columns, slabs and cables.
iii) Slabs: Slabs carry bending in two directions. In many domestic and
industrial buildings a thick concrete slab, supported on foundations or directly
on the subsoil, is used to construct the ground floor of a building. These can
either be "ground-bearing" or "suspended" slabs. In high rise buildings
and skyscrapers, thinner, pre-cast concrete slabs are slung between the
steel frames to form the floors and ceilings on each level.
iv) Cables: Cables are structural elements which are flexible and carry loads
in tensions; load is not applied along axis. Cables are widely used in the
construction of suspension bridges, cable trusses etc. (WIKIPEDIA 2013)
ii)Frames: Frames are widely used in buildings and are composed of beams and
columns that are either pin or fixed connected. The loading on a frame causes
bending of its members, and so do rigid joint connections. The strength of a frame is
derived from the moment interactions between the beams and the columns at the
rigid joints. (HIBBELER 2009)
iv) Surface Structures: A surface structure is made from a material having a very
small thickness compared to its other dimensions. This material is very flexible and
can take the form of a tent or air-inflated structure. In both cases the material acts
as a membrane that is subjected to pure tension. Surface structures may also be
made of rigid material such as reinforced concrete. As such they may be shaped as
folded plates and cylinders etc. This structure behaves similar to cables and arches
in that the support loads in tension or compression with minimal bending.
(HIBBELER 2009)
Question 3
a) Two main types of Structural Loads
The two main types of structural loads are
-
Dead Loads: This consists of the self-load of the structure and that of any
immovable part attached to it. These loads are fixed in magnitude and
remain permanently in their own positions during the entire life span of the
structure. (Nautiyal 2006)
Imposed Loads: these are associated with the fundamental aspects of the
structure, its location and the surroundings. These loads are live loads, wind
load, seismic load, snow/rain load, soil pressure etc. (Nautiyal 2006)
b) Types of Loading
i) concentrated load : a load acting on an infinitely small area, converging to a point.
(Nautiyal 2006)
ii)Pure Moment
iii)Distributed load : when the intensity of the load on every unit loaded length is the
same
References
1.Brian, Marshall. HowStuffWorks - How house construction works. March 15, 2008.
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/house9.htm (accessed
September 06, 2013).
2. HIBBELER, R. C. "STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS." Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009.
3. Nautiyal, B.D. "Introduction to Structural Analysis." New Age Internationltd., 2006.
4. WIKIPEDIA. Structural Analysis- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. July 12, 2013.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_analysis (accessed Septemeber 6, 2013).
5. . Wikipedia, the free encylopedia. August 22, 2013.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_engineering (accessed September 6, 2013).