Structural System

What’s structure
Structure is the performance of pattern! . •

The structure could be for everything life, system •

of being.

Social, economical, musical, biological, and •

chemical.

Relationship between the matter and the space. •

Architectural Structure
 Architectural Structure
Architectural structure: a structure is a body or •
assemblage of bodies in space to form a
system capable of supporting loads.

It’s a system or sub-system, means holding the •

components of a certain system and transfer
the load through the members of a structure to
provide stability and durability.
 Most systems share Common Characteristics, including: •

Systems have structure. .1

Systems have behavior, which involves inputs, processing and .2

outputs of material, energy, information, or data;

Systems have interconnectivity: the various parts of a system have .3

functional as well as structural relationships to each other.

Systems may have some functions or groups of functions .4

Loads on structure
Static forces: •
-Dead load.
-Live load.
-Settlement load.
-Ground pressure.
-Water pressure.
-Thermal stresses.

Dynamic forces: •
-Wind load.
-Earthquake load.
The action of External Forces on a structure

A compression / compressive force will cause a member of structure to be .1

squashed.

2. A tension / tensile force cause a member of structure to be stretched.

3. A torsion / torsional force cause a member to be twisted.

4. A shear force cause a member to slide/tilt to a side.

5.A Bending force is a complex force state associated with the bowing of a member
such as beam. it causes fiber on one face of the member to elongate and
hence be in tension and fibers on the opposite face to compress
SYNTHESIS OF ARCHITECTURAL
AND STRUCTURAL FORM
In these cases structure defines architectural •
form and often functions, at least partially, as
the building envelope
Shell Structure

> Definition.
> History vs. Nowadays.
> Materials.
> Application.
 > Definition.

They are light weight constructions using shell elements. -

Shell structures achieve the most pure synthesis of architectural -

and structural forms. Also known as ‘surface structures’, shells
resist and transfer loads within their minimal thicknesses. They
rely upon their three-dimensional curved geometry and correct
orientation and place-ment of supports for their adequate
structural performance.

Advantage: -
Allowing wide areas to be spanned without the use of internal -
supports, giving an open, unobstructed interior.
No bending moment in shell structures.
Shell structures are suited to carrying distributed loads not
concentrated loads.
Loads applied to shell surfaces are carried to the ground by the
tensile, shear, compressive forces

-Span thickness ratio of 400-500

• Ex: 8cm Thickness.....30-38m Span
 > Materials.

Shell structures can be made of such materials as; •

Reinforced thin-shell concrete, 
Glass 
Steel 
Glass & Steel 
Plastic 
Tent and membrane Structure

> Definition.
> History vs. Nowadays.
> Materials.
> Types.
> Application.
 >Defi
-A Membrane is a thin, flexible surface that carries loads
primarily through the development of tension forces.

- Holding a stress tension force.

-Provide strong lighting features.
-Desert architecture identity, inspired from ten design and
geometry.

((Net structures are conceptually similar; expect that their

surfaces are made from cable net meshes.))
There are several ways of stabilizing a membrane or net surface: •

An inner rigid supporting framework. .1

Prestressing the surface by: .2

a. external force (Tents)

b. internal pressurization (Pneumatic

structure).
 > History vs. Nowa
The traditional tents structure . •
 Hajj Terminal, Jeddah, Saudi •
Arabia, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Jeddah Sports Hall, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Frei Otto

-Net structure.
 >T

cables structure: .I
Cables can be of mild •
steel, high strength
steel (drawn carbon
steel), stainless steel,
polyester .

Structural cables are •

made of a series of
small strands twisted
or bound together to
form a much larger
cable
 >T

2. Tents

-A membrane structure pre-

stressed by externally
applied forces so that it is
held completely taut under
all anticipated load
conditions.

-The purpose of a tent structure

is to provide a means of
shelter that is
lightweight, portable, and
quick to install.
 >T

3. Pneumatic structure

-A class of membranes that obtain its

stability through internal
pressurization.

- There are two primary classes of •

pneumatic structure :
Air supported structures .1
-Less degree of pressurization to
achieve stability

-Greater span

2. Air inflated structures

-Higher degree of pressurization to

achieve stability

-Less span
Truss Structure

> Definition.
> History vs. Nowadays.
> Materials.
> Types.
> Application.
 >Difi

Trusses are composed of •

straight members connected
at their ends by hinged
connections to form a stable
configuration.

Because of their light weight •

and high strength, are among
the most commonly used to
span long lengths in the
place of solid

Trusses provide •
complete flexibility in
exterior cladding.
 > History vs. Nowa
Timber trusses started by •
Romans 500 B.C

Andrea Palladio
illustration for
triangulated truss
 > History vs. Nowa

Main uses: Roof Structures & •

Bridges.

Modern use new formation •

and materials for members
result in a new structure
shapes.

Steel structural members.

 Trusses

comprising one or more

(tetrahedonal, cubical, octahedronal,.. ) units, constructed with straight members whose
ends are connected at joints.

Span: 123 feet (37.5 meters).

 > Mat

Steel is most commonly used.

Span: 123 feet (37.5 meters).

Precast Trusses -Span:12m-20m-

Wood Trusses -Span:10m-17m-

 Two Main Types

1. Planar Truss 2.Space Frame Truss

The simplest form of a truss is one single triangle.
It is a three-dimensional framework

A planar truss lies in a single plane. A tetrahedron shape is the simplest space truss,

An optimum depth of the truss will maximize the Large planar structures may be composed from
efficiency. tetrahedrons with common edges
Warren truss used in pombidue building. •
 >T
1.Pratt Truss

The design uses vertical members for compression and horizontal members to respond to te

2.Bowstring Truss
Used for arched truss bridges,
3.King Post Truss
Consists of two angled supports leaning into a common vertical support.

4.Town's Lattice Truss

Members arranged diagonally with short spaces in between them.

5.Vierendeel Truss
The members are not triangulated but form rectangular openings,
 > Applic

The Hong Kong Bank of China Tower has an externally

visible truss structure.

A space truss carrying a floor in The

Woodlands Mall.
Arches

> Definition.
> History vs. Nowadays.
> Materials.
> Types.
> Application.
 >Difi

• A structure, forming the curved, pointed, or flat

upper edge of an open space and supporting the
weight above it, as in a bridge or doorway.
 The main advantage of an arch is that it can be supported without any tensi

 Suitable for long term use (longer than say 500 years (e.g. cathedrals) arches are probably essential.

In stone arches, the last stone to be placed at the top is called the ke

It provides a structure which eliminates tensile stresses in

spanning a great amount of open space.

All the forces are resolved into compressive stresses.

By using the arch configuration, significant spans can be

achieved. This is because all the compressive forces hold it
together in a state of equilibrium

KEYSTONE
 Cylindrical shells and vaults

Barrel vault. •
Groin vault. •
Rib vault (intersecting between two barrel •
vaults).
 > Materials

Common structural materials are

Iron•
Wrought iron
Cast iron
Steel
Stainless steel

Concrete•
Reinforced concrete
Prestressed concrete

Aluminium•
Composite materials•
Alloy•
Masonry•
Timber•
Quadror Structure

> Definition.
> Application.
 > Defin

It is a space truss geometry system inspired by versatility and structural integrity

of interlocking members.

Concept:
The simple geometry of four identical L-shaped pieces,
results in a trestle structure allowing for a very flexible and versatile design.
 > Applica

These building blocks allow for rapid assembly

1.Road Barriers 2.Structural Frames

3.Interior Partitions

4.Interior Columns
Types of structure
Post and beam structure. •

Span: 7-8 meters.

Types of structure
Shear wall •

Span: 7-8 meters.

 Cantilever Beam

A special type of beam that is supported only at one end

The top fibers of the cantilever are in tension; the bottom fibers are in compression
 Column

A vertical structural element that carries an axial force in compression.

COLUMN