CIVL 2070 Handout No.

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March 20, 2012

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Introduction

0.1 What is a structure? In engineering context, a structure can be defined as an organized assemblage of members that is designed to withstand some loads associated with its intended function. Organized assemblage of members

The members of a structure are organized and connected to each other in a hierarchical relationship so as to form an effective load-resisting mechanism. Members can be of various shapes and sizes: o Some are much longer in one dimension than in the others such as columns and beams o Others have comparable lengths in two dimensions with the third dimension much smaller, such as slabs and walls

Members can be made of various materials: o Steel, concrete, masonry, wood, aluminum, advanced composites, etc.

Images obtained from the Internet

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Civil 2070 Introduction to Structural Design

0.2 Functions and Examples of Structure The functions of civil engineering structures include the following: o To shelter or support people and properties o To transport people and goods o To contain or retain materials o And more The following are the most common civil engineering structures: o Buildings o Bridges o Tunnels o Pavements o Canals o Navigation locks o Dams o Retaining walls o Communication towers 0.3 Loads on Structures Loads on structures are forces and couple moments. There are principally two types of loads: direct and indirect. Direct loads can be: o Vertical (gravity) self-weight, weights of people, materials and equipment arising from use and occupancy, and snow o Lateral wind, water, and earth pressure Indirect loads: o Earthquake (or seismic) forces o Forces developing from restrained movements that are induced by changes in temperature and moisture content of the materials
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Section 0: Introduction

0.4 What is Structural Design? Structural design is an engineering activity required to be performed before a structure can be built. It consists of the following major steps: o calculating loads and their effects on the structure, o selecting suitable materials, o determining required shapes, sizes and connections of members, and o sometimes, specifying the method of construction. 0.5 Structural Design Process The structural design process can be graphically represented as follows:

ARCHITECT Design structures form from its function STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Calculate applicable loads Analyse structure

Determine support reactions, internal forces, and displacements

Determine member shapes and sizes, and develop Produce drawings and specifications

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Civil 2070 Introduction to Structural Design

The following are the major activities in a structural design office: a) Develop (or obtain from Architect) plan of structure b) Calculate loads on the structure following the building code c) Calculate internal forces/moments, stresses and deformations in members d) Determine required size and shape of members e) Prepare specifications for materials and construction f) Produce construction plans and drawings g) Prepare construction details

This course, CIVL 2070, will introduce the activities b) and c) in the context of simple structural members and structures.

0.6 Knowledge Required by a Structural Designer A structural designer needs to learn a number of topics. The following shows these topics and also the BCIT civil engineering course that covers each topic. 1. Design philosophy and applicable loads as per codes (NBCC) Introduction to Structural Design (CIVL 2070) 2. Loads, load paths and structural system behaviour Introduction to Structural Design (CIVL 2070) Structural Systems (CIVL 7071) 3. Internal (resisting) forces and moments, and deformations Statics (CIVL 1020), Mechanics of Materials 1 (CIVL 2020) Structural Analysis 1, 2 and 3 (CIVL 4070, 7070 & 7074) Seismic Design (CIVL 7075) Mathematics (Math 1422, 2422, 4422, 4423, etc.) 4. Stresses, strains and deformations in members under the forces and moments known from step 3 Mechanics of Materials 1 & 2 (CIVL 2020 & 7021)
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Section 0: Introduction

5. Selecting appropriate material(s) and determining the shape and size of members that will adequately resist the applied stresses and deformations. Timber and Steel Design (CIVL 3070) Reinforced Concrete Design (CIVL 4073) Structure and Properties of Materials (CIVL 7022) The following graphic shows a symbolic structure of the knowledge that is required for structural design.

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