What is Structural Engineering?

It is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist
loads.

Structural engineering theory is based upon physical laws and empirical knowledge of the
structural performance of different materials and geometries. Structural engineering design
utilizes a number of simple structural elements to build complex structural systems.

Structural engineering depends upon a detailed knowledge of applied mechanics, materials

science and applied mathematics to understand and predict how structures support and resist self-
weight and imposed loads. To apply the knowledge successfully a Structural engineering
generally requires detailed knowledge of relevant empirical and theoretical design codes, the
techniques of structural analysis, as well as some knowledge of the corrosion resistance of the
materials and structures, especially when those structures are exposed to the external
environment. Since the 1990s, specialist software has become available to aid in the design of
structures, with the functionality to assist in the drawing, analyzing and designing of structures
with maximum precision; examples include AutoCAD, StaadPro, ETABS, Prokon, Revit
Structure etc. Such software may also take into consideration environmental loads, such as from
earthquakes and winds.

What is Structural Design?

It is a method or tool by which we find out safe and economical specifications of a structure or a
member of the structure sufficient to carry the load.

In other words finding out cross-sectional dimension, grade of material, amount of reinforcement
etc. necessary to withstand the internal forces that we have got from structural analysis.

What is Structural Analysis?

It is a method or tool by which we find out how a structure or a member of a structure behaves
when subjected to certain excitation.

In other words finding out internal forces (axial force, shear force, moment), stress, strain,
deflection etc in a structure under applied load conditions.
What is Live Load?
Refers to loads that do, or can, change over time, such as people walking around a building
(occupancy) or movable objects such as furniture.

Live loads are variable as they depend on usage and capacity. However, design codes can
provide equivalent loads for various structures.

Loads prescribed by codes are empirical and conservative based on experience and accepted
practice.

IS875 part 2 deals with imposed loads on buildings produced by the intended occupancy or use.

What is Dead Load?

Deal load refers to loads that relatively don’t change over time, such as the weight of

 All permanent components of a building including walls, Beam, columns, flooring

material etc)
 Fixed permanent equipment and fitting that are an integral part of the structure.(like
plumbing, HVAC, etc.)

The dead loads are calculated from the member sizes and estimated material densities.

Unit weight of building materials can be estimated in accordance with IS : 875 (Part 1).

What is Setting Out/Stake out?

In order to begin excavation of trenches required for a building's foundation, the builder must
know the positions and levels of building lines shown on the construction plans on the ground.

That is, the exact length, width, depth, and position of the foundation trenches must be marked
on the ground.

This movement from the construction plan to the actual site by transferring dimensions from the
layout plan to the ground is called setting out. It is probably the most critical step in the entire
construction process.

Various techniques and instruments are used for this process of setting out.
What is Bearing Capacity of Soil?
All civil engineering structures whether they are buildings, dams, bridges etc. are built on soils.
A foundation is required to transmit the load of the structure on a large area of soil. The
foundation of the structure should be so designed that the soil below does not fail in shear nor
there is the excessive settlement of the structure. The conventional method of foundation design
is based on the concept of bearing capacity.

Soil when stressed due to loading, tend to deform. The resistance to deformation of the soil
depends upon factors like water content, bulk density, angle of internal friction and the manner
in which load is applied on the soil. The maximum load per unit area which the soil or rock can
carry without yielding or displacement is termed as the bearing capacity of soils.

Soil properties like shear strength, density, permeability etc., affect the bearing capacity of soil.
Dense sand will have more bearing capacity than loose sand as unit weight of dense sand is more
than loose sand.

If the bearing capacity of soil at shallow depth is sufficient to safely take the load of the
structure, a shallow foundation is provided. Isolated footing, combined footing or strip footing
are the option for the shallow foundation. Deep foundations are provided when soil immediately
below the structure does not have the adequate bearing capacity. Pile, piers or well are the
options for deep foundations. Mat or raft foundations are useful for soil which is subjected to
differential settlement or where there is a wide variation in loading between adjacent columns.

Methods of determining bearing capacity

The various methods of computing the bearing capacity can be listed as follows:

 Presumptive Analysis
 Analytical Methods
 Plate Bearing Test
 Penetration Test
 Modern Testing Methods
 Centrifuge Test
What are Shear Walls?
Shear wall is a structural member used to resist lateral forces i.e. parallel to the plane of the wall.
For slender walls where the bending deformation is more, Shear wall resists the loads due to
Cantilever Action. In other words, Shear walls are vertical elements of the horizontal force
resisting system.

In building construction, a rigid vertical diaphragm capable of transferring lateral forces from
exterior walls, floors, and roofs to the ground foundation in a direction parallel to their planes.
Examples are the reinforced-concrete wall. Lateral forces caused by wind, earthquake, and
uneven settlement loads, in addition to the weight of structure and occupants, create powerful
twisting (torsional) forces. This leads to the failure of the structures by shear.

Shear walls are especially important in high-rise buildings subject to lateral wind and seismic
forces. Generally, shear walls are either plane or flanged in section, while core walls consist of
channel sections. They also provide adequate strength and stiffness to control lateral
displacements.

The shape and plan position of the shear wall influences the behavior of the structure
considerably. Structurally, the best position for the shear walls is in the center of each half of the
building. This is rarely practical, since it also utilizes the space a lot, so they are positioned at the
ends. It is better to use walls with no openings in them. So, usually, the walls around lift shafts
and stairwells are used. Also, walls on the sides of buildings that have no windows can be used.