CE 33 Structural Theory - I

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• Professor :
Introduction: Types of Structures
Classification of Structures

Structural Elements: Types of structures :

1. Tie Rods 1. Trusses
2. Beams 2. Cables and Arches
3. Columns 3. Frames
4. Surface Structures
What is a Structure?

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

load.
Important examples related to civil
engineering:
Buildings Bridges Towers

•
Other branches of engineering:
ship aircraft frames tanks
pressure vessels mechanical systems electrical supporting structures
THEY ARE ALL IMPORTANT
When designing a structure to serve a specified function for public use

The engineer must account for its

Safety Esthetics serviceability

While taking into consideration

the economic

and

environmental constraints
This design process is both creative and technical and requires :

1. fundamental knowledge
of material properties and

2. the laws of mechanics which

govern material response.
Once a preliminary design of a
structure is proposed:
-- the structure must then be analyzed to ensure
that it has its required stiffness
and strength;
To analyze a structure properly,
1. certain idealizations must be made as to
how the members are supported and
connected together.

2. The loadings are determined from

codes and local specifications;

3. the forces in the members and their displacements are found using
the theory of structural analysis

which is the subject matter of this text.

The results 1. to redesign the structure,
2. accounting for a more accurate
of this determination of the weight of
analysis then the members and their size.
can be used
 • applied to civil engineering structures;

In this book, However,

the structural
analysis is • the method of analysis described can also be
used for structures related to other fields of
engineering.
 Classification of
Structures
Structural Elements:
1. Tie Rods (bracing struts)

- Structural members
subjected to a tensile force
2. Beams - usually straight horizontal members
used primarily to carry vertical loads

They are classified according to the way

they are supported as shown:
Beams

1. Tapered or haunched – if the cross section varies

2. “Built up” –if cross sections is added with plates to their top and
bottom.
Beams
Columns
Columns are generally vertical and resist
axial compressive.

Beam columns - If subjected to both an axial

load and a bending moment

Tubes and wide-flange cross-sections are often used for metal columns.
Columns
Circular and square cross-sections
with reinforcing rods are used
for those made of concrete.
Types of Structures
1.0 Trusses consist of slender elements,
usually arranged in triangular fashion.

Planar trusses are composed of members

that lie in the same plane and

Space trusses are frequently used for bridge

and roof support, have members extending
in 3-D and are suitable for derricks
and towers
2.0 Cables and Arches
Cables are usually flexible and carry
their loads in tension.

They are commonly used to support bridges, and building roofs.

Arches
The arches achieve its strength in
compression since it has a
reverse curvature
to that of the cable.

The arch must be rigid.

Arches
Arches are frequently used in
bridge structures, dome roofs,
and for openings in masonry
walls.
Frames

Frames are often used in

buildings
and are composed of beams
and columns that are either
pin or fixed connected,
Surface Structures

A surface structure is made from

a material having
a very small thickness compared
to its other dimensions.
Sometimes this material is very
flexible and can take the form of a
tent or air-inflated structure.
In both cases the material acts as
a membrane that is subjected to
pure tension.
Surface Structures

• Surface structures may also

be made of rigid material
such as reinforced concrete.
• As such they may be shaped
as folded plates, cylinders, or
• hyperbolic paraboloids, and
are referred to as thin plates
or shells
The End

Thank You