CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND APPROXIMATE CALCULATIONS

Dr Steve Jones

DESIGN PROCESSES

OBJECTIVE
Produce workable solution to problem accounting for : Requirements + Constraints specified Your capabilities Time available REQUIRES : Assumptions, Judgements, and Decisions, based on available information.
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Iterative Nature of Design

 STAGE 1 - CONCEPTUAL DESIGN Brainstorming Sessions Many feasible schemes STAGE 2 PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS + DESIGN - Approximate calculations and iterations - Comparisons of feasible alternatives Some Final schemes
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 STAGE 3 DETAILED ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

ITERATION of calculations, and MODIFICATIONS to achieve optimum balance of requirements. Selected Solution

DOCUMENTATION + CONSTRUCTION + SUPERVISION

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Process may involve:

Architect Structural Engineer Geotechnical Engineer Services Engineer Contractor Quantity Surveyor

According to circumstances
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CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
Understand the Brief Identify the Problems Assemble the Constraints e.g. Design: Cost, Time, Quality, Life expectancy,
Flexibility/adaptability, Strength, Robustness, Acoustic or Dynamic performance, Materials. Construction: Site features (incl. Access), Time and Resources (plant, labour, etc.) Buildability. Structural: Architectural features, Ground conditions, Usage and loadings, Special hazards, Construction sequence, Safety, Codes and Regulations.
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Particular attention must be given to STABILITY including concept of BRACED or UNBRACED structural form.

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CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
Devise Feasible Solutions Consider Alternatives of: LAYOUT, STRUCTURAL FORM, MATERIALS.
This will merge into STAGE 2 with preliminary calculations based on initial estimates of dimensions and loads to assess feasibility of particular concepts. USE APPROXIMATE METHODS SKETCHES (approx. to scale) are VITAL to get feel for problem and possible solutions. [do not distort horiz./vert. proportions].
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PRELIMINARY CALCULATIONS
Base trial calculations on established requirements for alternative concepts of Form & Materials to give estimates of member sizes. AREAS LOADS MEMBER SPANS ANALYSIS (Approximate methods) MEMBER SIZES (Scale Sketches)
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SIMPLIFY:
LOADS ANALYSIS u.d.l. or point. make elements simply supported or fixed. SECTION SIZING use sensible span/depth ratios, design charts or load/span tables. check reinforcement limits (M/bd2fck). - check foundations feasible.
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STAGE 3 DETAILED ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

Includes CALCULATIONS, DETAILING, DRAWINGS
1. Modelling: Establish the structural model to be analysed needs understanding of structural behaviour including load paths

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2. Analysis: Uses computer (except for very simple structures). - Program must be appropriate for task:
- How does it deal with issues? - Is torsion catered for? - Are assumed stiffness values appropriate to ULS (usually OK) or SLS?

- Input Data must be correct:

- Dimensions, materials properties? - Loads? - Restraints pinned, fixed, in-between? ( must be reliable estimates)

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3. Verification: Relies on experience checks to ensure analysis input data correct and results sensible.
Involves Qualitative judgements:
e.g. - are load paths sensible? - is deflected shape sensible? - is there symmetry of output (reactions and moments) where there should be? Supported by simple approximate hand calculations.
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SIMPLE HAND CHECKS: - check sum of reactions equals applied load (both at element and overall structure levels). - check that increase of column load at a floor level matches load on area of floor supported. - check that (support + span) moments in beam equals wl2/8. - check that span/depth ratios are sensible. - check selected members against design charts.
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4. Interpretation: - Use of Analysis results for design. Does analysis provide the values needed? - Is the model appropriate? - Are the results sensible (refer back to Verification).

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GENERAL
Analysis is staged process: Simple Final Hand calculations take time but increase understanding of structure. Approximate calculations establish viability of proposal. Major companies may require preliminary hand calculations (a few simple pages) BEFORE computer analysis is undertaken. Computer results must lie within defined limits with respect to hand values. This should identify gross errors in model and/or input data and avoid wasted effort.

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THE COMPUTER REFINES THE DESIGN IT DOES NOT BEGIN IT.

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