The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Knowledge Necessary for the Structural Divisions of the Architect Registration

Exam- ARE
FORMULAE AND DIAGRAMS

CONCEPT

Memory Trick: SOHCAHTOA (Indian Tribe)

c (Rise)
Sin C = OPP or Rise or
B
Slope
a
HYP

COMMENTS

n
n

90 triangle

Trigonometry/Math

b
Run
or
or
Slope
a

Cos C = ADJ
HYP

(Run)

n
n
n

Run

OPP
Tan C =
ADJ

c
or
or
Rise
b

(Slope)

a = b = c
Sin A Sin B Sin C

Law of Sines

Non- 90 Triangle
n

a
a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc (Cos A)

Law of Cosines 2

Variations in L.O.A.

Properties of a Force:
Py
3

PX

Shallower angles (<45)

have larger horizontal

Steeper angles (>45) have

larger vertical components

1000# = 1k

The Resultant of several forces is a single force that

has
the same effect on a body as all the other forces
n

Components of a Force:
P

PX

P
Py

Py

Py

PX

Forces

PX

Py

Variations in
Sense:

Px
P

Transmissibility:
Py

Algebraic Method for finding the Resultant of several

forces is used when force magnitudes and lines of
action for each force are known

Algebraic Method of Force Addition

1. Resolve each force into vertical and horizontal
components
2. The algebraic (+/-) sum of all horizontal components
gives the horizontal component of the Resultant.
3. The algebraic (+/-) sum of all vertical components
gives the vertical component of the Resultant

Graphic Method is used when a system is in equilibrium

and we need to calculate one or more unknown forces
that contribute to equlibrium

P
Graphic Method for Force Addition:
n For finding the Resultant of several forces.

Algebraic Method:
n For finding the resultant of several forces
Force
1
2

3
R

June 2004

The Equilibrant is also defined as a force that has the

same P.O.A., Magnitude and L.O.A. as the

PX

Force Addition:

PX

The Resultant is also a force and is thus defined by

PX

P
Py

Py

Py

PX

A Force is defined by four properties:

1. Point of Application (P.O.A.)
2. Magnitude ( #,kips )
3. Sense (Arrowhead, Push or Pull, C or T)
4. Line of Action (L.O.A.) , (Angle with horizontal)

Py

Px

Law of Cosines is used when you are given more sides

than angles

Law of Sines and Cosines are used when triangle has no

right angles.
Law of Sines is used when you are given more angles
than sides.

b = a + c - 2ac (Cos B)
c = a + b - 2ab (Cos C)

used when triangle has a 90 angle.

SIN
RISE
COS
RUN
TAN
SLOPE
SIN and COS of any angle are between (+/-) 1
0 < angle < 45
COS > SIN
45 < angle < 90
SIN > COS

Graphic Method for Force Addition

1. Arrange all forces Head to Tail then add (independent
2
1
+/+/of order)
R
2. Resultant begins with its Tail at the Tail of the 1 st
1
1
+/+/Force
+/+/and Head at the Head of the last
3
3. Resultant can be determined through calculation
n Resultant begins at 1 s Tail
n Tail of 2 on Head of 1
+/- R X = SX +/- R y = SY
(All angles are typically known)
and ends at last Head
n Tails at same P.O.A.
nTail of 3 on Head of 2
Horizontal

Vertical

2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

PAGE : 1 OF 4

The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Knowledge Necessary for the Structural Divisions of the Architect Registration Exam- ARE
FORMULAE nAND
DIAGRAMS
Tails at same P.O.A.

CONCEPT

COMMENTS

Tail of 3 on Head of 2

A & B are called Centers of Moment, or Centers of

Rotation
n The perpendicular distance (d) is called the Moment Arm,
or Lever
n Summing Moments (M = 0) to establish equilibrium
n To find Beam / Truss reactions
n To maintain equilbrium of members
n Overturning Moments due to Wind Loads or Hydrostatic
Pressure
n Unlike a Moment, a Couple is NOT about a certain point,
but rather it is about ANY and ALL points.
n A Couple depends on Force (P), and perpendicular distance (d)
between two Forces that make up the couple.
n Couple between top Chord (C) and bottom
chord (T) in a simply supported truss
n Couple between compression in concrete ( top ) and
tension in rebar ( bottom ) of reinforced beam

Moment

Moment = Force X

Distance

CCW +

CW

B
Force P creates a
Negative Moment
about point B

Couple

Moment of a
Couple= P x d
(clockwise, CW)

Moments and Couples

A
Force P creates a
Positive Moment
about point A

( CCW )
P

Formulas

Units
2
Fu

PSI

A = bd

Area (In2)

3
Ixx = bd

Moment
of Inertia (In4)

Ixx

Section
Modulus (In3)

bd2
Sxx = C = 6

Roller: 1 Reaction ( V )

n
n

n
n

2
V

5. YIELD POINT/ YIELD STRENGTH: material is no longer elastic,

b = width
d = depth
c = location of
Deflection
Neutral Axis
Bending

x
b

CG ; Center of
Gravity

1
2

Indeterminate Loading:
2

2
3

V
M

Radius of = r =
Gyration

Simply Supported:(Determinate)

8. E: Modulus of Elasticity.Measures material's resistance to deformation

x
Y

Moment

Fixed / Moment: 3 Reactions (V , H , M)

Continuous: Multiple Reactions

7. RUPTURE: Kiss it Good-Bye

DL = a (DT) L0
DL: Deformation, change in length (in),
caused by change in temperature
(F)
DT: Change in temperature

Shear

deformation is permanent
6. ULTIMATE STRENGTH: material is about to fail

k DL
k DL
m DL
m DL

kP
k L0
kA
kE

and in length
4. FAILURE: Material is gone!

Modulus of
Elasticity: E
(slope)
Unit Strain ( DL/ L0 )

EA36,A-50= 29,000 KSI

Pin / Hinge: 2 Reactions ( V , H )

6
8

1. ELASTIC RANGE: straight line relationship, slope = E

2. PLASTIC RANGE: increase in strain, no increase in Load / Stress
3. STRAIN HARDENING: material deforming in section (necking),

Modulus of
Elasticity=
Stress / Strain

12

June 2004

d/2

in / in

Unit Strain

DL: deformation, changes in Length (in)

caused by Axial Load (P)
DL= PL0 P : Axial Load (#,k)
L0 : Original, undeformed Length (in. not ft.)
AE A : Cross Sectional Area (in 2)
E : Modulus of Elasticity (PSI, KSI)

Geometry

Axial Loads

PSI

Fy

DL
Lo

E:

Support Conditions

Direct Stress

Stress (F=P/A)

Stress / Strain

e:

P
A

F:

n
n

I
A

Shortening or Elongation of members along their axis

Change (Expansion & Contraction) of shape
due to Temperature
Examples include Columns, Trusses, Cables, Cross
Bracing

If a Member is inadequate in Shear, increasing the Area

(either Width (b) or Depth (d)) is effective.
n If a Member is inadequate in Deflection, increasing the
Moment of Inertia (Width (b) is OK; but Depth (d) is
cubed and) is much more effective in reducing Deflection.
n If a Member is inadequate in Bending, increasing the
section modulus (width (b) is OK; but Depth (d) is
squared and) is much more effective in reducing Bending.
n Statically Determinate (Simply Supported) loading = three
unknown reactions, and can be solved using the
equation of Static equilibrium.
n Statically Indeterminate loading > 3 unknown Reactions
Call your engineer.
n Pin/Hinged connections iclude most wood to wood, bolted
steel, and precast concrete connections.
n fixed connections include most welded steel / steel
connections and cast-in-place concrete.
n

2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

PAGE : 2 OF 4

The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Knowledge Necessary for the Structural Divisions of the Architect Registration Exam- ARE
FORMULAE AND DIAGRAMS

CONCEPT

Example 1:
n

L< R
L = 5' x 12k = 4k

15'
R = 10' x12k = 8k

Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams

COMMENTS

12k

10'

5'

P
w,W

Load/
FBD

15'

15'
+

Example 2:
V=0
12k

w = 1k/ft.
W = 18k

18k

12k

12k

=
6'

6'

6'

+
6'

18'
L = 23k

R = 25k

21k

L=
+
L = 23 k

2k

21k +

R=
R = 25 k

L = 21k

6'
18'

6'

6k

12'

6'
18'

R = 21k

4k

L = 2k

R = 4k

M=0

6k

L = 6'/18' x = 2k
R = 12'/18' x 6k = 4k

Trusses

C
T

C
T

Method of
Sections:

Method of
Joints:
C

C C
T

Top and Bottom Chord Stress

June 2004

A Truss is inherently stable due to triangulation

Truss is stable in its own plane but needs bridging or
cross-bracing perpendicular to its own plane
n All joints in an honest Truss are Pinned Joints
n Rigid Joints in a Truss will result in less Deflection
than
Pinned Joints (Advantage)
n Rigid Joints in a Truss will result in larger size
members
than Pinned Joint Trusses since members will have
to
resist V and M in addition to C or T (Disadvantage)
n Members carrying Tension can be much smaller than
members carrying Compresion
n Method of Joints is used to analyze Force / Stress in
every
member of a Truss
n Method of Joints is also used to analyze Force / Stress in
a
member that is close to a support (not in middle of
truss)
n Method of Sections is used to analyze only a few (3 max)
members of a truss
n After cutting a truss in 2 segments, each segment is
in Equilibrium
SF X = 0 ; SF Y = 0 ; SM ANY = 0
n Concentrated Loads in a Truss must be applied at panel
points; otherwise we have combined stresses
( T or C + V and M )
n Joints that have three or less members framing into
PAGE : 3 OF 4
n
n

Possible
Zero Members
C

M = Moment
V =Shear
n Equilibruim = Fx = 0; Fy = 0; MAny = 0
n Sum of Areas in Shear Diagram = Moment
n Magnitude of drop = Concentrated Load
n Between concentrated loads, Moment Diagram Slopes
n Uniform loads create gradual drop in Shear ( straight line )
n Uniform loads create curve (downward cup) in Moment
Diagram
n Overhangs and cantilevers will always have a negative
Moment in Moment Diagram. Simply supported beams
always have positive Moments
n VMAX always occurs at support
Moment is minimum
n MMAX occurs where V = 0
n Uniform load coefficient, w, = slope in Shear Diagram
n Point of Inflection (P.O.I.) is a point on the
Moment Diagram where M = 0
n Point of Inflection only happens when a beam has an
overhang
n If Loading Diagram (FBD) is symmetrical, then the Shear
Diagram and the Moment Diagram are also symmetrical.
n Maximum Shear dictates how much Beam area is needed
n Maximum Moment dictates how much Bema Depth is needed
n If a hole must be punched out of a Beam to allow for passage
of pipe or similar reduction, this must happen at a location of
low Shear and low Bending Moment
n

Web Stresses

2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Knowledge Necessary for the Structural Divisions of the Architect Registration Exam- ARE
CONCEPT

FORMULAE AND DIAGRAMS

COMMENTS
( T or C + V and M )
Joints that have three or less members framing into
them,
may potentially have Zero Members
n

June 2004

2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

PAGE : 4 OF 4

The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Information Needed to Successfully Pass the General Structures Division of the Architect Registration Exam - ARE
FORMULAE AND DIAGRAMS

CONCEPT

MATERIAL:

Fv , F b , E

GEOMETRY:

L, w, W, P, FBD

LOAD:

FC , FT , F P

DESIGN FOR
SHEAR:

COMMENTS

A = bd

f v < F v ; Fv a V MAX
A MIN

MMAX
f b < F b ; F b =SMIN

DESIGN FOR
BENDING:

DEFLECTION:

Shear

I = bd3/ 12
S = (bd2) /6

VMAX, M MAX

Dactual = CONST.x (W or P) (Lx12"/ft.)

Dactual < Dallow
EI

W = wL
L

Beam design must satisfy Shear, Bending Moment and

Deflection requirements
n The Allowable Stress (F) of a species of wood or a Grade
of steel depends on the material itself and is tabulated
in Manuals and Building Codes
n The Actual Stress ( f ) is an outcome of the application of
a load ( W , P ) on a member
n When a Load is applied perpendicular to the axis of a
member ( Normal Loading), Shear and Bending
stresses develop
n The Strain associated with Bending is called Deflection
and the deflected shape of a Beam is the inverse
(upside/down) of the Moment Diagram
n When a load is applied along the axis of a member,
Axial Compression and Tension Stresses develop
n The strain associated with Tension is Elongation and the
strain associated with Compression is Shortening
n For the same Magnitude and span, a Uniform Load will
cause less Deflection than a Concentrated Load
for the same material and geometry
n The the same Load and Span, a Cantilever will deflect
more than a simply supported beam
n For the same Load, Material and Geometry a slight
increase in Span will create a huge increase in
Deflection
n For the same Load and Span, an increase in the
Modulus of Elasticity, E, ( a stronger material), will result
in less Deflection
n For the same Load and Span, an increase in the
Moment of Inertia, I , (a deeper member) will result in
less deflection
n The Points of Inflection on the Moment Diagram of the
Continuous beam (Left) indicate the locations of curve
reversal, and are the locations where reinforcing steel
would be flipped from bottom to top of the beam.
n

Deflection
Bending

W = wL

W/2

L/2

P/2

L/2

W/2

W/2

W/2

W/2

W/2
W/2

P/2

VMAX = P/2

= wL2/ 8

3
4
DMAX = 5 WL = 5 wL
384 EI
384 EI

WL/8

PL/4

MMAX = WL / 8

MMAX = PL/4

L/3

L/4

L/4

L/4

0.4W

3P/2

VMAX = 0.6 W
0.4W

0.6W

MMAX = PL/3

0.08WL

MMAX = PL/2

PL3

19
DMAX =
348 EI

DMAX =
648 EI

WOOD BEAMS:

Shear:

MMAX (+) = 0.08 W L

MMAX (-) = - 0.1 W L

Fb= 24 KSI
(full lateral support)
Sxx tables

- 0.1WL

f y, f, A v, spacing
Bending Concrete: f'c
b, d, f 'c
Rebars: f y

Fb< 24 KSI
(partial lateral support)
LUNB , M-Charts

For all beams; Dactual = CONST.(W or P)(Lx12"/ft.)3

EI
n Allowable Deflecion is specified by model codes as
a fraction of the span Dallow = L / 240, L / 360,...
n

Shear: Concrete: f 'c

b, d, f 'c
Stirrups: f y

bf

AW

A=bxd

.- . . - .

CONCRETE BEAMS:

F V = VMAX

Bending: F b = MMAX
SMIN

SMIN

0.08WL

0.025WL
P.O.I.

AWEB

Bending: Fb = MMAX

0.5W

- 0.1WL

STEEL BEAMS:

FV = 3 VMAX
2 A MIN

0.4W

0.6W

0.5W

PL/2

PL3

L
1.1W

VMAX = 3P/2

PL/3

Shear:

1.1W

0.4W

VMAX = P

23

L/3

L/4

L/3

Beams

MMAX = WL/8
= wL2/8

PL3
EI

DMAX = 1
48

W=wL
P

Columns

VMAX = W/2

WL/8

General Beam Design

VMAX = W/2

AV
AS

f y, (f, # rebars), A s
FC = P/A
Long and thin ( slender ) columns tend to
be
governed by buckling
n Short and fat ( chunky ) columns tend to be
governed by crushing

WOOD COLUMNS:

STEEL COLUMNS:

Slenderness:

Slenderness:
kLUNB.

slenderness
ratio

LUNB./ dLeast

kwood= 0.671 E
Fc

June 2004

wood 11
steel

k=0.5

k=1

k=2

50 L/d
200 KL/r

2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

PAGE : 4 OF 4