Structures I

Structural Elements

By- Eng. Gayan Wanasinghe,

 Structural Elements
Structural elements are categorized based up on the
internal forces in them. For example:
• Tension member –subjected to tensile axial force only
• Column or compression member –subjected to
compressive axial force only
• Tension/Compression member –subjected to
tensile/compressive axial forces
• Beam member –subjected to flexural loads, i.e., shear
force and bending moment only. The axial force in a
beam member is negligible.
• Beam-column member – member subjected to
combined axial force and flexural loads (shear force,
and bending moments)
 Types of Loads
The building structure must be designed to carry or
resist the loads that are applied to it over its design-
life. The building structure will be subjected to
loads that have been categorized as follows:
• Dead Loads : are permanent loads acting on the
structure. These include the self-weight of
structural and non-structural components.
• Live Loads: are non-permanent loads acting on
the structure due to its use and occupancy.
• Wind Loads : 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.
• Snow Loads: are vertical gravity loads due to
snow, which are subjected to variability due to
seasons and drift.
• Earthquakes/ Seismic loads
• Accidental loads.
 Loads on Structural Elements
• Roof: Dead, live, wind, snow
• Slab: Dead, live
• Beams: dead
• Columns
• Walls
• foundation
 Structural Systems
• Structural system is a mechanism of
connecting different elements such that all
loads are safely transmitted to the foundation.
Types of Structural Systems in
Buildings
1. Continuous structures
• These comprise continuous supporting walls
through which the combined loads and forces
in a building are transferred, mainly by direct
compression, into the subsoil through the
foundations.
2. Framed structures
• The framework comprising beams and columns. The
beams transfer loads from roof, floors and walls to the
columns. The columns transfer the beam loads to the
sub-soil through the foundations. The dead and
imposed loads from roofs or floor slabs will be
transferred to the floor beams and then to the
structural frame. Compared to a continuous support-
type structure of similar weight, a framed structure
typically transfers more concentrated loads into the
subsoil.
• External walls in framed buildings act as infill panels
between columns and beams. They are non-load
bearing (although they carry their own weight and
must resist wind forces)
3. Shell structures
• Shell structures are made from structural ‘skins’
where the shell material is thin in section relative
to the other dimensions of the roof and
undergoes relatively little deformation under
load.
• They are commonly used where a building
interior needs to be free from intermediate walls
or columns that might support a more
conventional flat or pitched roof, such as;
libraries, theatres, leisure centres, airport and
railway terminals, and so on.
4. Membrane structures
• Membrane structures (or fabric structures)
create spaces that are enclosed by tensioned
membranes. At its simplest, a tent may be
regarded as a membrane structure given its
steel or fibre-glass poles support a canvas or
plastic membrane covering.