Structural Scheme For IStructE Exam

Scheme 1: Beam Slab Structural Frame

Structural Scheme for IStructE Exam

Scheme 1: [BEAM + SLABS + SECONDARY BEAMS]
Insitu R.C. Beam & Slab System with Secondary Beams
1. Material
2. Structural System
3. Stability and load transfer
A. Vertical Load Transfer
B. Horizontal Load Transfer
4. Progressive Collapse
5. Programme
6. Provision of Joint
7. Advantages of Beam and Slab Construction
8. Disadvantages of Beam and Slab Construction

1. Material
Insitu reinforced concrete is used as the construction material.
[Advantages] Refer to Choice of Materials
[Disadvantages] Refer to Choice of Materials

2. Structural System
The structural system consists of insitu R.C. floor slabs spanning one
way between R.C. secondary beams in turn are supported by R.C. primary
beams. Column grid of _____m x _____m in the longitudinal and transverse
direction respectively is chosen [with a core(s) situated at _____ for
services and access purpose]. A typical part plan and section is shown
in fig ______.

** TRY TO EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN RELATION TO THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

a. The client’s requirements
b. Site conditions
c. Soil conditions
d. Headroom restraint
e. Structural safety
f. Economy
g. Aesthetics
h. Speed and ease of construction

*OPTIONAL - [For On-grade Slab]

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Structural Scheme For IStructE Exam
Scheme 1: Beam Slab Structural Frame

Since the bearing capacity on the top soil is sufficient to sustain the
G/F loading without excessive settlement, so the G/F slab will be on
grade in order to reduce the foundation cost.

Column Support
Column is chosen as the vertical load bearing elements because it allows
a more flexible arrangement and a large clear span is possible.
Furthermore, it can suit the architectural layout more easily, can
provide rigid frame with beams and the services can pass through a lot
of open space.
*OPTIONAL - [Disadvantages]
The disadvantage of column construction is that the foundation may be
subjected to differential settlement and congestion of reinforcement
at beam and column junction.

Choose of Column Grid

[A] Related to Client’s Requirement
i) A column grid of spacing _____m x _____m is chosen in order
to fulfill the client’s requirement (min. column grid spacing
of _____m x _____m) and avoid introducing large concentrated
load on each column and require a large depth of structural
zone.
ii)
[B] Related to Magnitude of Load
i) *LARGE LOAD* - Since the magnitude of loading is large, so long
span construction is not suitable. A chosen spacing of column grid
(with ______m x ______m) is chosen in order to avoid the highly
concentrated load on each column.
ii) *MODERATE LOADING*- Since the magnitude of loading is moderate,
so this medium span construction is suitable and will not impose
high concentrated load on each column.
iii) *LIGHT LOADING* - A large spacing of column grid (with _____m x
_____m) is chosen because the magnitude of loading is light, so
a longer span construction is possible and will not make the column
load too heavy.

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Structural Scheme For IStructE Exam
Scheme 1: Beam Slab Structural Frame

[C] Related to Soil Condition

i) *LOW BEARING CAPACITY* - Since the underlying soil is of low
bearing capacity, so high concentrated load on each column should
be avoided. Therefore, a chosen spacing of column grid (_____m
x _____m) is chosen in order to reduce the column loading.
ii) *HIGH BEARING CAPACITY* - Since the underlying soil is of high
bearing capacity, so high concentrated load on each column will
not imposed bearing problem on the foundation. Therefore, a
larger spacing of column grid (_____m x _____m) is chosen in
order to provide a more flexible arrangement for usage.

[D] Related to Headroom Restriction

i) *HEADROOM RESTRICTION* - Due to the headroom restriction, the
depth of structural zone is limited to _______mm. So, large
span construction with large structural depth is impossible.
Therefore, a closer spacing of column grid (_____m x _____m)
is chosen in order to reduce the depth of structural zone.
ii) *NO HEADROOM RESTRICTION* - Due to there is no headroom
restriction, so a larger depth of structural zone is
acceptable. Therefore, a larger spacing of column grid
(_____m x _____m) is chosen with large structural depth in
order to provide a more flexible arrangement for usage.

*LAST SENTENCE* - The chosen structural system allows the vertical

and lateral loads carried down to the foundation along the shortest
and direct path. The structural arrangement is regular in order to
increase repetition of identical building components and improve
construction rhythm.
*OPTIONAL - [Advantages of Cantilever Edge]
i) The cantilever edges enable continuous glazing over brick walls
to be built as enclosing walls of the building.
ii) The cantilever construction enables the new foundation set back
from the existing foundation and prevent transferring any load
to the existing foundation.
iii) Movement joints are provided between floor slabs of existing and
new building in the form of 0.08mm polyethylene sheet and a coat
of bituminous.

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Structural Scheme For IStructE Exam
Scheme 1: Beam Slab Structural Frame

3. Stability and load transfer

A. Vertical Load Transfer
The vertical stability is provided by the columns (and core(s)). The
vertical loadings are resisted by the slabs which in turn are
supported by the beams. The columns (and core(s)) received the
loading from the beams or slabs and transferred it to the foundation
below.
B. Horizontal Load Transfer
1) Column – Beam Frame
The lateral stability is provided by the column beam framework.
The floor slab will transfer the wind loading from the external
cladding by diaphragm action to the wind resisting frame system.
The frame will carry the load down to the foundation in the forms
of axial forces, shear and moment.
2) Core Wall
The lateral stability is provided by the core wall(s). The floor
slab will transfer the wind loading from the external cladding
by diaphragm action to the wind resisting core(s).
Each lift shaft, staircase box is capable of sharing the total
lateral load on the building in proportion to its own inherent
stiffness. (Door openings through these boxes are capped by deep
lintel beams to allow shear transfer around the box). The core(s)
will act as cantilever and carry the load down to the foundation
below through shear and bending action.
3) Core wall and Frame
The lateral stability is provided by the core wall(s) and R.C.
framework. The floor slab will transfer the wind loading from
the external cladding by diaphragm action to the wind resisting
core(s) and frames. Each lift shaft, staircase box and frame
is capable of shearing the latest load on the building in
proportion to its own inherent stiffness. (Door openings through
these boxes are capped by deep lintel beams to allow shear
transfer around the box.) The core(s) will act as cantilever
and carry the load down to the foundation below through shear
and bending action. The frame will carry the load down to the
foundation in forms of axial forces, shear and moment (Rigid
Frame Action). Since the stiffness of the beam-column frame is
much less than that of the core(s), the wind force carried by

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Structural Scheme For IStructE Exam
Scheme 1: Beam Slab Structural Frame

the frame will be of a small percentage of the total wind load.

Usually, the wind load on the frame will not be the controlling
design criteria.
4) Optional [BASEMENT]
Lateral earth pressure at the basement levels is restricted by
the walls at the peripheral of the structure.
The lateral soil pressure acting the screen wall will counter
balance each others through the G/F and basement slab acting
as rigid diaphragm to strut the screen walls.

4. Progressive Collapse
The progressive collapse will refer to Design Appraisal.

5. Programme
Any system involving downstand beams is likely to lead to an increase
in construction time relative to a flat slab system unless an efficient
shuttering system is revised. Although the erection is slightly more
complex with the numbers of beams required. It is note expected to
significantly increase construction time.

6. Provision of Joint
1) Expansion Joint
[1. E.J. is not required]
E.J is not required for this building in view of its regular shape and
dimension on plan which is only about ______m x ______m. The movement
due to the temperature and shrinkage effect will be small.
(Although an expansion joint has been introduced to divide the proposed
development which is in L-shaped building, shrinkage strips are still
introduced temporarily. They is joint which are left open for a certain
time during the construction so as to allow a significant shrinkage to
take place during construction without inducing stress.
1) Shrinkage Effect : Use of Shrinkage Strip
Size of Pour : Slab 100m2
: Waterproofing construction reduce to 75m2
2) Expansion Joint : 10x10-6 /oc
Size of Pour : 60-70m for covered floor
: 30m for roof
: Waterproofing construction reduce to 75m2

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Structural Scheme For IStructE Exam
Scheme 1: Beam Slab Structural Frame

[2. Contraction Joints]

C.J shall be provided for the floors and roof to take care of the concrete
shrinkage particularly during the early hardening stage of concrete.

[3. Contraction Strip]

It can be used as an aid to reduce the nos. of contraction joints required.

Since the length of the building is ______m long, (in order to reduce
cracking due to temperature changes and shrinkage effect), a 25mm
expansion joint with waterstop is provided in the building at position
as shown in the drawing. Double beams and columns will be used at the
position of the expansion joints.
7. Advantages of Beam and Slab Construction
a. The most typical and common structural system in R.C. construction.
b. The main beams between columns can provide an efficient frame action
to resist wind load.
c. More flexible location of slab openings, because trimming beams can
be used to ‘strengthen’ the slab.
d. The slab is of minimum thickness gives the maximum possible ceiling
void for services routings between secondary beams.
e. This system can provide relatively large span.
f. It is a ‘lighter’ construction than flat slab, this implies a cheaper
vertical supporting system and less concrete volume required.
g. The falsework, shuttering, reinforcement arrangement is slightly
more complicated than flat slab system but still quite simple.
h. Adaptability to varying size and shape. Suitable for construction
of complex shapes and areas.
i. [Optional] Related to site Condition
Because, the site’s access to construct the works is extremely
limited and restricted via the ____m wide side road to a temporary
access indicated in ______. Therefore, pre-cast construction method
and steelwork are unlikely possible.

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Structural Scheme For IStructE Exam
Scheme 1: Beam Slab Structural Frame

8. Disadvantages of Beam and Slab Construction

a. The structural depth is relatively large and the beam depth can be
reduced but with less efficient beams.
b. Due to the presence of beams, more shuttering and labour forces are
required.
c. Horizontal penetration-through beams for services routing may impair
the strength of the beams and may cause reinforcement congestion.
Size and locations of such openings are also restricted.
d. Due to the presence of downstand beams, the available headroom is
less than that of flat slab and the floor to floor height may have
to be increased.
e. Due to the larger building height, the wind loading to be resisted
will be increased.

~~END~~

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