La Salle University

Ozamiz City

COLLEGE OF COMPUTER STUDIES, ENGINEERING AND

ARCHITECTURE

COURSE Structural Theory

MODULE/PERIOD Module 1: Week 1-2

TITLE Introduction to Structural Engineering

OVERVIEW
Structural theory is the course that gives the student insights, general
overview and basic principles involved in Structural Analysis.

This module aims to give the students a general overview of engineering

view on structures.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS ● Read and follow instructions

● Follow the guidelines on submitting reports provided on Canvas
● You, the student, should perform the activities stated in this module
● For any questions or clarification, please contact me through Canvas

LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the module, you must be able to:

1. Recall the different structural elements

2. Recognize the structural elements present within their area
3. Explain the function of the different structural elements

EXPLORE A. Introduction

 A structure refers to a system of connected parts used to support

a load. Important examples related to civil engineering include
buildings, bridges, and towers; and in other branches of
engineering, ship and aircraft frames, tanks, pressure vessels,
mechanical systems, and electrical supporting structures are
important.
 When designing a structure to serve a specified function, the
engineer must account for its safety, aesthetics, and
serviceability, while taking into consideration economic and
environmental constraints.
 To design a structure, you will need to carry out a structural
analysis that establishes the internal forces and deflections at all
 points produced by the design loads.
 The designer must proportion structures so that they will neither
fail nor deform excessively under any possible loading conditions.
Members are always designed with a capacity for load
significantly greater than that required to support anticipated
service loads (the real loads or the loads specified by design
code). This additional capacity also provides a factor of safety.
 During previous courses in statics and strength of materials, you
developed some background in structural analysis when you
computed the bar forces in trusses and constructed shear and
moment curves for beams.

 The design of any structure—whether it is the framework for a

space vehicle, a high-rise building, a suspension bridge, an
offshore oil drilling platform, a tunnel, or whatever—is typically
carried out in alternating steps of design and analysis.

B. Simplified Design and Analysis Process

 Conceptual Design – here plans/drafts/drawings/sketches of

how the structure will look are created that will satisfy the needs
of the client.
 Preliminary Design – here estimation for the structural sizes and
as well as which structural systems or members will be used are
done.
 Analysis of Preliminary Design – here a computational analysis
is performed from the estimated designs. Analysis is done to see
if the planned structure is able to carry the estimated
weights/loads/stresses.
 Redesign of the Structure – here the design of the structure is
adjusted based from the result of the preliminary analysis.
 Evaluation of Preliminary Designs – here the adjusted designs
are evaluated for other factors like cost, availability of materials,
appearance, maintenance, time for construction, and other
pertinent considerations
 Final Design and Analysis Phase – here the finalized design will
have minor adjustments to further improve its economy or
appearance.

C. Basic Structural Elements

The following are just some of the most common structural elements:
 Columns – these are generally vertical and resist axial
compressive forces/stresses
 Beams – these are usually straight horizontal members used
primarily to carry vertical loads
 Plate or Slab – these are elements whose depth (or thickness) is
small compared to their length and width
 Walls – a surface that defines an area, carries a load; provides
 security, shelter, or soundproofing; or is decorative
 Foundation – the element of a structure which connects it to the
ground and transfers loads from the structure to the ground

 Cables – these are wires, ropes or cables that carry tensile loads

 Arch – these are arched shaped that carry vertical compressive

loads
  Ties – these are slender or long members that carry tension loads
 Struts – these are slender or long members that carry
compression loads

D. Basic Structural Systems

A structure may be made of 1 or more structural systems and the
following are just the most common and basic:
 Frame – are usually composed of beams and columns
  Truss – are usually slender elements, usually arranged in
triangular fashion

ENGAGE
Do this on your own activity:

 Your house is also a structure.

 See and check your house, does it have all the previously
mentioned structural elements and structural members?
 What structural elements and members does your house have?
EVALUATE Quiz

Multiple Choice, Choose the best answer:

1. Which structural element is generally vertical and resists axial

compressive forces/stresses?
a. column
b. beam
c. slab
d. foundation
2. Which structural element is a usually straight horizontal member used
primarily to carry vertical loads?
a. beam
b. column
c. slab
d. foundation
3. Which structural element are elements whose depth (or thickness) is
small compared to their length and width?
a. slab
b. column
c. beam
d. foundation
4. Which structural element is a surface that defines an area, carries a
load; provides security, shelter, or soundproofing; or is decorative?
a. wall
b. column
c. beam
d. foundation
5. Which structural element of a structure which connects it to the
ground and transfers loads from the structure to the ground?
a. foundation
b. column
c. beam
d. slab
6. Which structural element that are wires, ropes or cables that carry
tensile loads?
a. cable
b. column
c. beam
d. foundation
7. Which structural element that is arched shaped that carry vertical
compressive loads?
a. arch
b. column
 c. beam
d. foundation
8. Which structural element are slender or long members that carry
tension loads?
a. ties
b. slab
c. beam
d. strut

9. Which structural element are slender or long members that carry

compression loads?
a. strut
b. tie
c. beam
d. slab
10. Which structural system are usually slender elements, usually
arranged in triangular fashion?
a. truss
b. frame
c. shell
d. surfaced

Essay, answer and explain to the best of your ability:

1. Give at least 5 structural elements and explain what they are or do.

ENRICH Visit this link for additional content:

https://youtu.be/NSamrfRhoKY

REFLECT Sit down and think of the answer to the following question below:

1. Have you learned something new from this module?

REFERENCES
Hibbeler R.C. 2012, Structural Analysis 8th Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall,
New Jersey
Leet K. et. al. 2018, Fundamentals of Structural Analysis 5th Edition, Mc-
Graw Hill Education, New York