Structural Design

Objective of design
The aim of design is to achieve an acceptable
probability that the structure will perform
satisfactory during its life time.
The structure must carry the load safely, not
deform excessively and have adequate durability
and resistance to the effects of misuse and fire.
No structures can be made 100% safe, it is only
possible to reduce the probability of failure to an
acceptably low level.

www.ami.ac.uk

Failure modes in steel beam

Failure modes in steel beam

Limit state design

Most modern structural codes of practice are
based on limit state approach.
For steel design codes available are BS 5950
and Eurocodes 3.
For reinforced concrete design codes
available are BS 8110 and Eurocodes 2.
In Uk, Brittish Standard (BS) has been
superseded by Eurocodes. Malaysia is in the
transition process.

Limit state design

There are two limit state design:
1. The ultimate limit state (ULS) the whole
structure or its elements should not collapse,
overturn or buckle when subjected to design
load.
2. Serviceability limit state (SLS) the structure
should not become unfit for use due to
excessive deflection, cracking or vibration

Design process
Determination of the design load s acting on the structure

Determination of the design loads on individual elements

Calculation of bending moments, shear forces and deflection of

beams

Sizing of beams

Sizing of columns

Chanakya Arya, 2009. Design of structural

elements 3rd edition, Spon Press.

Structural loads
The building structure will be subjected to
loads that have been categorized as follows:
1. Dead Loads (Gk): are permanent loads acting
on the structure.
2. Live (imposed)Loads (Qk): are non-permanent
loads acting on the structure due to its use
and occupancy. The magnitude and location of
live loads changes frequently over the design
life.

Structural loads
3. Wind Loads (W): are in the form of pressure
or suction on the exterior surfaces of the
building. They cause horizontal lateral loads
(forces) on the structure, which can be critical
for tall buildings. Wind loads also cause uplift
of light roof systems.
4. Snow Loads (S): are vertical gravity loads due
to snow, which are subjected to variability due
to seasons and drift.

Characteristic and design loads

Characteristic loads the actual loads that the
structure is subjected to. (Characteristic dead
load, characteristic live load, characteristic
wind load)
Design load = characteristic load x
where is the partial safety factor depend on
type of loading and limit state considered

Characteristic dead load

Dead loads are all the permanent loads acting
on the structure including self weight,
finishes, fixtures and partitions.
The symbol Gk denotes the total characteristic
dead load, gk detones uniformly distributed
characteristic dead load.
The characteristic dead loads can be
estimated using the table of weights of
building materials given in BS 648 (Table 2.1).

Chanakya Arya, 2009. Design of

structural elements 3rd edition, Spon
Press.

Example 2.1: Dead load for a

reinforced concrete beam (Arya 2009)
Calculate the self-weight of a reinforced concrete beam of a
breadth 300 mm, depth 600 mm and length 6000 mm.
Assuming that the gravitational constant is 10 ms-2.

Density of reinforced concrete = 2400 kg/m3

Unit weight of reinforced concrete = density x gravity
= 2400 x 10 = 24000 N/m3
= 24 kN/m3
Self-weight of beam = unit weight x volume
= 24000 x (0.3 x 0.6 x 6)
= 25.92 kN

Characteristic live load

The magnitude and location of live loads
changes frequently over the design life.
Hence, they cannot be estimated with the
same accuracy as dead loads.
The symbol Qk denotes the total characteristic
live load, qk detones uniformly distributed
characteristic live load.
The characteristic live loads can be estimated
based on different classes of structure given in
BS 648 (Table 2.2).

Chanakya Arya, 2009. Design of

structural elements 3rd edition, Spon
Press.

Characteristic wind load

The characteristic wind loads can be assessed
in accordance with the recommendations
given in BS 6399: Code of Practice for Wind
Loads.
Wind loading is important in the design
masonry panel walls.

Load combinations and design loads

The load combination should produce the
worst possible effect on the structure in terms
of bending moment, shear force and
deflections.
Simple structures, the worst possible
combination will arise from maximum dead
load and maximum imposed acting on the
structure together.

Load combinations and design loads

Critical load arrangement

For continuous beam, two load arrangement
must be considered.
1. All span loaded with the maximum design load
of 1.4Gk + 1.6 Qk. This will produce maximum
support moment
1.4 Gk + 1.6 Qk

Critical load arrangement

2. Alternate spans loaded with the maximum design
load of 1.4 Gk+1.6Qk and all other spans loaded
with the minimum design load of 1.0 Gk. This will
produce maximum moment on the span.
1.4 Gk + 1.6 Qk

1.0 Gk

Load transfer in structure

Example 2.2 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

A composite floor consisting of a 150 mm thick reinforced slab supported
on steel beam spanning 5 m and spaced at 3 m centres is to be designed
to carry an imposed load of 3.5kN/m2. Assuming that the unit mass of the
steel beam is 50 kg/m, calculate the design loads on a typical internal
beam.

Example 2.2 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Example 2.2 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Example 2.3 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

The floor shown below with an overall depth of 225 mm is to be designed to
carry an imposed load of 3 kN/m2 plus floor finishes and ceiling loads of 1
kN/m2. Calculate the design loads acting on beams B1-C1, B2-C2 and B1B3 and columns B1 and C1. Assume that all the column heights are 3 m
and that the beam and column weights are 70 and 60 kg/m run
respectively.

Example 2.3 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Example 2.3 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Example 2.3 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Example 2.3 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Example 2.3 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Example 2.3 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Example 2.3 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Design moments and shear force in

beams using formulae in BS

Design moments and shear force in

beams using formulae in BS

Design moments and shear force in

beams using formulae in BS

Example 2.5 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Calculate the design bending moments and shear forces in
beams B2-C2 and B1-B3 of Example 2.3.

Example 2.5 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)

Example 2.5 (Chanakya Arya, 2009)