Designing and building structures that can

withstand forces requires knowledge of

structural engineering.

Technology Interactions ‹ Chapter Title Technology Interactions

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 What Is a Structure?
A structure is something that is
constructed, or built.
Structures are made by joining parts
to meet a certain need or perform a
certain task.
Structures can be natural or human-
made.

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

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 Civil Engineers
Civil engineers design
and supervise the
building of structures
that the public uses,
such as roads and
bridges, water supply
plants, and sewers.

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

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 Structural Engineers
Structural engineers
are responsible for
the mechanics of
load-bearing
structures.

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

A Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
 Architects
Architects design
buildings and
often oversee
construction.

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

A Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
 Forces on Structures
A force is a push or a pull that
transfers energy to an object.
External forces come from outside the
structure, act upon the structure, and are
called loads.
♦ Static loads, or dead loads, change
slowly or not at all.
♦ Dynamic loads, or live loads, move
or change.

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

A Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
 Forces on Structures
Internal forces are forces that one part of
the structure exerts on another. They act
within a structural material.
♦ Compression
♦ Tension
♦ Torsion
♦ Shear

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

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 Structural Materials
Wood is a versatile material cut from trees into
various sizes of lumber.
Engineered wood is a composite material
made by combining wood strands, fibers, and
veneers with adhesives.
Steel is an alloy made from iron and carbon.
Concrete is made by mixing cement, sand,
gravel, and water.

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

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 Structural Members
Structural members are connected to
form the framework of a structure.
Studs, joists, rafters, beams,
and columns are examples
of structural
members.

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

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 Designing Large Structures
Gather site information.
Construct and test models.
Conduct community planning.
Excavate and build the foundation.
Construct the superstructure.

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

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 The International Space Station
The ISS is the most complex structure
ever built.
Sixteen countries are
participating in its
construction.
When completed, the
ISS will enable scientists
to conduct important
experiments in a
microgravity environment.
Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
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 Making a Structure Stable
Soil must provide support for the
building.
Wind resistance is important for safety in
strong winds.
Earthquake resistance helps buildings
stay intact when the ground shakes.

Technology Interactions Chapter 3 Structural Engineering Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

A Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.