Introduction to Structural Analysis

Chapter 1
Content

I. Structural Analysis and Design

II. Structural Elements
III. Structural Systems
IV. Structural Loads
V. Support Connections
VI. Structural Idealization
Introduction
Structural Analysis Structural Design
 Calculation of  Arrangement and
magnitudes of forces proportioning of
and deformations structures and their
parts so as to
support their loads
adequately
Considerations of a Structural Engineer

 Safety
 Serviceability
 Economic Constraints
 Environmental Impact
 Aesthetics
Structural Elements
 Tie Rods/Bracing Struts
 Straight, slender members
that supports axial loads

 Beams and Girders

 members that supports
loads acting transverse to
its axis (flexure action)
Structural Elements

 Columns
 Supports axial
compressive loads but
may carry flexure loads

 Diaphragms
 Members commonly
used for floors and
shear-resisting walls
 high in-plate stiffness
Structural Systems

 Truss
 Composed of struts
and ties arranged in
triangular fashion
Structural Systems
 Arch
 Rigid structure that achieves its strength in
compression
Structural Systems
 Cable
 Flexible structure that
carries loads in tension
Structural Systems
 Frames
 Composed of beams and
columns that are either
pin-connected or fixed

 Surface structures
 A material of very small
thickness compared to its
other dimensions (e.g. Thin
plates, shell structures)
Structural Loads

 National Structural Code of the Philippines

(NSCP)
 ASEP Steel Handbook
 American Concrete Institute (ACI)
 American Society of Testing and Materials
(ASTM)
 American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
Structural Loads

Dead Loads

 Weight of structure itself

 Weight of immovable objects with constant

magnitude and permanently attached to the
structure
 Table 1. Minimum Densities for Design Loads from Materials

Source: Hibbeler, Statics of Rigid Bodies. 8th Ed.

 Table 2. Minimum Design Dead Loads

Source: Hibbeler, Statics of Rigid Bodies. 8th Ed.

Structural Loads

Problem

A floor beam is used to support the 6-ft width of a

lightweight plain concrete slab having a thickness of
4 in. The slab serves as a portion of he ceiling for
the floor below, and therefore its bottom is coated
with plaster. Furthermore, an 8-ft high, 12-in.-thick
lightweight solid concrete block wall is directly over
the top flange of the beam. Determine the loading
on the beam measured per foot length of the beam.
Structural Loads

Live Loads

 Varies in magnitude and position with time

Table 3. Minimum Live Loads

Source: Hibbeler, Statics of Rigid Bodies. 8th Ed.

Structural Loads

Live Loads

 Reduction in the uniform live load for a floor is

applied for some types of buildings having very
large floor areas
Structural Loads
Live Loads

 According to ASCE 7-02, for a member having an

influence area (KLLAT)of 400 ft2 (37.2 m2) or more, the
reduced live load is calculated by the following equation:

15
𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜 0.25 + (𝐹𝑃𝑆 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠)
𝐾𝐿𝐿 𝐴 𝑇

4.57
𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜 0.25 + (𝑆𝐼 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠)
𝐾𝐿𝐿 𝐴 𝑇
Structural Loads
Notes on the formula:
L = reduced design live load per unit area
Lo = unreduced design live load per unit area
KLL = live load element factor. For interior columns, KLL
=4
AT = tributary area

The reduced live load is limited to not less than 50% of Lo for
members supporting one floor, or not less than 40% of Lo for
members supporting more than one floor. No reduction is
allowed for loads exceeding 100 lb/ft2 (4.79 kN/m2), or for
structures used for public assembly, garages, or roofs.
Structural Loads

Problem

A two-story office building has interior columns

that are spaced 22 ft apart in two perpendicular
directions. If the (flat) roof loading is 20 lb/ft2,
determine the reduced live load supported by a
typical interior column located at ground level.
Structural Loads

Wind Loads
 Factors affecting wind intensity:
 Density of air
 Velocity of air
 Angle incidence of wind
 Shape and stiffness of the structure
 Roughness of surface
Structural Loads

Seismic/Earthquake Loads

 Generated from interaction of structure with the

ground and its response characteristics
Structural Design
Allowable Stress Load and Resistance
Design (ASD) Factor Design (LRFD)
 Computed elastic  Different factor of safety
stress in the material for load uncertainty and
must not exceed the material uncertainty
allowable stress
 Example:
 One factor of safety  1.4 DL
covers both material  1.2 DL + 1.6 LL
and load uncertainties
Support Connections
 General Rule:

 If a support prevents translation of a body in a

given direction, then a force is developed on the
body in that direction.

 If rotation is prevented, a couple moment is

exerted on the body.
Structural Idealization
 Replacing an actual structure with a simple system
conducive to analysis
Structural Idealization
 Results are not perfect analysis due to assumptions
made during idealization but are quite acceptable.

Analysis of idealized
structures most often
provides conservative values.

Note:
 Too many decimal places in the rounding off can be harmfully
misleading.
References

 Hibbeler, R.C. Statics of Rigid Bodies (8th Ed.)

 Hibbeler, R.C. Structural Analysis (6th Ed.)