Introduction to Structural

Design
Architecture has recorded the great ideas of
the human race. Not only every religious
symbol, but every human thought has its
page in that vast book.
- Victor Hugo
Structure of a Building
The primary function of a
building structure is to
support and transmit the
building loads and forces
to the ground.

Photos courtesy Tilt-up Concrete Association

Characteristics of a Structure

• Strength

• Stability

• Economic Value
Structural System
• Made up of many smaller structural sub-
systems that work together to provide a
strong, stable, and cost-effective structure.
• Examples of these smaller structural sub-
systems include:
o Roof o Framing
o Walls o Foundations
o Floors

Structural engineers design these structural systems.

Structural Sub-System
• Made up of many structural elements that
work together to provide a strong, stable,
and cost-effective system.
• Basic structural elements include:
o Beam o Arch
o Column o Vault
o Truss o Dome

Structural engineers design these structural systems.

Forces and Loads
• A force is any action that causes a change
in the shape or motion of an object.
• A load is a force that is supported by a
structural element.
• The terms force and load are often used
interchangeably.
SNOW
WIND
Structural Member Forces
Tension – A force that
stretches or pulls apart a
member, resulting in the
member elongating.
Compression – A force that
squeezes or presses a
member together, resulting
in the member shortening.
Shear – A force that acts
perpendicular to the axis of
the member, causing the
internal particles of the
member to slide against
each other.
Beam
• A structural element that carries a load that is
applied transverse (perpendicular) to its length.
• Usually a horizontal member that carries a
vertical applied load.
• The top fibers of a beam are in compression; the
bottom fibers are in tension.
Cantilever Beam
• A special type of beam that is supported
only at one end
• The top fibers of the cantilever are in
tension; the bottom fibers are in
compression
 Column
A vertical structural element that carries an
axial force in compression

COLUMN
Truss
• A structural element that is composed of
smaller structural members typically
configured in triangular arrangements
• Some truss members carry a tension
force; others carry a compression force
Arch

• A curved structural
element that spans over
an open space
• In stone arches, the last
stone to be placed at the
top is called the keystone

KEYSTONE
Vault

A continuous arch
that forms a ceiling
or roof
Dome

A structural element that is made up of

arches that radiate around a center point
to create a half sphere
Hybrid Forms

• An infinite number of combinations of

these forms exist
Design Process

The same design

process used by
engineers and
designers in other
disciplines can be
used to design
structural systems.
Architectural Program
• Establishes overall concept and design
philosophy
• Includes
– Location of building on site
– Architectural style
– Interior space planning
– Design elements
– Construction materials
– Building systems
• Encompasses the first four steps of the
design process
Structural Design Process

• An architectural program establishes

preliminary structural systems.
• The structural engineer must analyze
the structural systems and provide a
strong, stable, and cost-effective
design.
Structural Design Process
Identify Criteria and
Constraints
– Additional criteria needed:
• Types and magnitudes of
applied loads
• Load path that each load
will follow to the ground
Structural Design Process
Explore Possibilities
– Consider alternate
structural configurations,
materials, and spacing to
improve the design or
reduce costs
Structural Design Process
Select an Approach
– Based on structural
performance, compatibility
with the architectural
program, and cost
– Based on the possibilities
explored, select the
optimal design
Structural Design Process
Develop a Design
Proposal
– Create a preliminary
structural design
incorporating the
selections for all
structural elements
Structural Design Process
Model or Prototype
– Create a model to
represent your structural
design
• Sketches
• Structural analysis software
• 3D architectural software
Structural Design Process
Test and Evaluate
– Reanalyze structure based
on element selections
– Structural analysis
software
– 3D architectural software
Structural Design Process
Refine
– Revise the design as
necessary to correct
problems with strength,
stability, and compatibility
with other systems
Structural Design Process
Create or Make
– Based on the final design
after revisions
– Create working drawings
of the structural design
Structural Design Process
Communicate Results
– Distribute the drawings
– Include in bid package
– Include in construction
drawings
Image Sources
• Tilt-up Concrete Association
(www.tilt-up.org)