Structures for Architects I

Q1. Define stress.

Ans:
Stress is the pressure or tension exerted on a material object.
Stress = Force/Area
Its units are N/m^2(newton per meter square)

Q2. Define strain.

Ans:
Strain is a force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or damaging degree.
It has no units.

Q3. What are elastic materials?

Ans:
Elasticity, ability of a deformed material body to return to its original shape and size
when the forces causing the deformation are removed. ... This limit, called the elastic limit, is
the maximum stress or force per unit area within a solid material that can arise before the onset
of permanent deformation.

Q4. What are brittle materials.

Ans:
A material is brittle if, when subjected to stress, it breaks without significant plastic
deformation. Brittle materials include most ceramics and glasses

Q5. Name the ductile materials.

Ans:
Ductility is often characterized by the material's ability to be stretched into a wire. Both
of these mechanical properties are aspects of plasticity, the extent to which a solid material can
be plastically deformed without fracture. Platinum is the most ductile material.
Q6. What is poisson’s ratio?
Ans:
Poisson's ratio is the ratio of transverse contraction strain to longitudinal extension
strain in the direction of stretching force.
Tensile deformation is considered positive and compressive deformation is considered
negative.

 = - trans / longitudinal

Q7. Define force.

Ans:
Force is the strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement.
F=ma

Q8. Define tension or tensile force.

Ans:
Tensile strength is a measurement of the force required to pull something such as rope,
wire, or a structural beam to the point where it breaks. The tensile strength of a material is the
maximum amount of tensile stress that it can take before failure, for example breaking.

Q9. What is compressive force?

Ans:
Compression Force is the application of power, pressure, or exertion against an object
that causes it to become squeezed, squashed, or compacted.

Q10. Define an angle.

Ans:
An angle is the space (usually measured in degrees) between two intersecting lines or
surfaces at or close to the point where they meet.
Q11. Define live load.
Ans:
Live load is the weight of people or goods in a building or vehicle.
Q12. Define dead load.
Ans:
Dead load is the intrinsic weight of a structure or vehicle, excluding the weight of
passengers or goods.
Q13. Define UDL (Uniformly Distributed Load)
Ans:
A uniform distributed load (UDL) is a distributed load which has a constant value such
as 1kN/m. Simple point forces do not always provide an accurate enough way to determine the
stresses in an object such as a beam so more complex theoretical loads must be used in our
analysis.
Q14. Define UVL. (Uniformly Varying Load)
Ans:
It may be observed that at the point of application of load there is an abrupt change in
the shear force, at this point the B.M is maximum.

Q15. What is rolling load?

Ans:
Rolling loads are defined by the number of passes, size and hardness of the wheel, and
the combined weight of the cart and its contents on each wheel.

Q16. What is plinth area?

Ans:
Plinth area shall mean the built-up covered measured at the floor level of the basement
or of any storey

Q17. What is carpet area/Finish Floor Level?

Ans:
Carpet Area is the area enclosed within the walls, actual area to lay the carpet.
Built up Area is the carpet area plus the thickness of outer walls and the balcony.

Q18. How many marlas are there in one kanal?

Ans:
There are 20 marlas in 1 kanal.
Q19. How may square feet are there in one marla?
Ans:
There are 225 sq. ft. in a marla.

Q20. How many marlas are there in one acre?

Ans:
There are 160 marlas in one acre.

Q21.What is meant by elevation of building?

Ans:
An elevation is a horizontal orthographic projection of a building on to a vertical plane,
the vertical plane normally being parallel to one side of the building.

Q22. What is perspective view?

Ans:
Perspective view in the graphic arts is an approximate representation, generally on a
flat surface, of an image as it is seen by the eye.

Q23. What is isometric view?

Ans:
Isometric view is a method for visually representing three-dimensional objects in two
dimensions in technical and engineering drawings.
Q24. What is first angle of projection?
Ans:
First angle projection is a method of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D object. It is mainly
used in Europe and Asia and has not been officially used in Australia for many years.
Q25. What is bending moment?
Ans:
A bending moment is the reaction induced in a structural element when an external
force or moment is applied to the element causing the element to bend.
Q26. What is shearing force?
Ans:
Force acting on a substance in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the
substance. As for example the pressure of air along the front of an airplane wing.

Q27. What is moment?

Ans:
Moment, or moment of force is rotational force. Just as a linear force is a push or a pull,
a torque can be thought of as a twist to an object.

Q28. What is torsion?

Ans:
The action of twisting or the state of being twisted, especially of one end of an object
relative to the other is called torsion.

Q29. What is exact age of history of civilization?

Ans:
2000-1000 BC.
Q30. What is mild steel?
Ans:
The steel which contains only a small percentage of carbon and is strong and easily
worked but not readily tempered or hardened is called mild steel. The amount of carbon
typically found in mild steel is 0.05% to 0.25% by weight.
Q31. Provide at least 10 engineering properties of mild steel (M.S.).
Ans:
1. A small amount of carbon makes mild steel to change it properties. Different amount
of carbon produces different types of steels.
2. There are small spaces between the iron lattice. Carbon atoms get attached to this spaces
and makes it stronger and harder. The harder the steel the lesser the ductility.
3. The modulus of elasticity calculated for the industry grade mild steel is 210,000 Mpa.
4. It has a average density of about 7860 kg/m3.
5. Mild steel is a great conductor of electricity. So it can be used easily in the welding
process.
6. Because of its malleability, mild steel can be used for constructing pipelines and other
construction materials.
 7. Mild steel can be easily magnetized because of its ferromagnetic properties. So
electrical devices can be made of mild steel.
8. Mild steel is very much suitable as structural steel. Different automobile manufacturers
also use mild steel for making the body and parts of the vehicle.
9. Mild steel can be easily machined in the lathe, shaper, drilling or milling machine. Its
hardness can be increased by the application of carbon.
10. Mild steel is very much prone to rust because it has high amount of carbon.
Q32. Define simply supported beam.
Ans:
A simply supported beam is a type of beam that has pinned support at one end and roller
support at the other end. Depending on the load applied, it undergoes shearing and bending. It
is the one of the simplest structural elements in existence.
Q33. Define cantilever beam.
Ans:
A cantilever is a rigid structural element, such as a beam or a plate, anchored at one end
to a (usually vertical) support from which it protrudes; this connection could also be
perpendicular to a flat, vertical surface such as a wall.

Q34. What is one end overhang beam?

Ans:
It has two supports, hinged at one end, roller at other end. Overhanging portion at any
one of the supports.
Q35. What is two end overhang beam?
Ans:
This type of Beams will have over hangs at both the support.
Q36. Define lintel.
Ans:
A horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or
window.
Q37. What is girder?
Ans:
A large iron or steel beam or compound structure used for building bridges and the
framework of large buildings.
Q38. How will you define singly supported beam?
Ans:
The beam that is longitudinally reinforced only in tension zone, it is known as singly
reinforced or supported beam.
Q39. What is doubly reinforced beam?
Ans:
Such reinforced concrete beams having steel reinforcement both on tensile and
compressive faces are known as doubly reinforced beams.
Q40. What is column?
Ans:
An upright pillar, typically cylindrical, supporting an arch, entablature, or other
structure or standing alone as a monument.
Q41. What is one-way slab?
Ans:
In one way slab the slabs are supported by the beams on the two opposite sides. In one
way slab the ratio of longer span to shorter span is equal or greater than 2.
Q42. What is two-way slab??
Ans:
In two way slab the slabs are supported on all the four sides. In two way slab the ratio
of Longer span to shorter span is smaller than 2.
Q43. What is the distribution steal in the structure members?
Ans:
Distribution bars are provided to resist the shear stress, cracks developed in the longer
span. Distribution bars are provided perpendicularly with the top of the main bar.
Q44. What are framed structures?
Ans:
A framed structure is a network of beams and columns joined up to form the skeleton
framework of the building. The structural frame carries the total load of the building and
transfers it to the foundation.
Q45. Define load bearing wall?
Ans:
A load-bearing wall or bearing wall is a wall that is an active structural element of a
building, that is, it bears the weight of the elements above said wall, resting upon it by
conducting its weight to a foundation structure.
Q46. Define cavity wall?
Ans:
A wall formed from two thicknesses of brickwork or blockwork with a space between
them.
Q47. Name of different types of foundations commonly used in buildings.
Ans:
Types of foundation. Shallow foundations (sometimes called 'spread footings') include
pads ('isolated footings'), strip footings and rafts. Deep foundations include piles, pile walls,
diaphragm walls and caissons.
Q48. What is D.P.C.?
Ans:
A damp-proof course (DPC) is a barrier through the structure designed to prevent
moisture rising by capillary action such as through a phenomenon known as rising damp. ... A
common example is polyethylene sheeting laid under a concrete slab to prevent the concrete
from gaining moisture through capillary action.
Q49. Define and sketch vertical and horizontal DPC in 9” wall.
Ans:
Vertical DPC allows the water to pass up or down while horizontal DPC allows it to
pass left or right.
Draw here;

Q50. What is R.C.C.? (Composition mixtures)

Ans:
R.C.C stands for Reinforced concrete cement. RCC, is concrete in which steel bars are
embedded, plates, or fibres that strengthen the material.
Compositions of concrete are as follows:
Cement: Sand: Aggregate
1:1:2
1:2:4
1:4:8
Q51. What is water cement ratio?
Ans:
The water–cement ratio is the ratio of the weight of water to the weight of cement used
in a concrete mix. A lower ratio leads to higher strength and durability, but may make the mix
difficult to work with and form. Workability can be resolved with the use of plasticizers or
super-plasticizers.
Q52. What is slump test?
Ans:
The slump test is a means of assessing the consistency of fresh concrete. It is used,
indirectly, as a means of checking that the correct amount of water has been added to the mix.
The test is carried out in accordance with BS EN 12350-2, Testing fresh concrete
Q53. Define a truss structure.
Ans:
In engineering, a truss is a structure that "consists of two-force members only, where
the members are organized so that the assemblage as a whole behaves as a single object". A
"two-force member" is a structural component where force is applied to only two points.
Q54. What is P.C.C.?
Ans:
P.C.C stand for plain cement concreate and it’s also known as pre-cast concreate, which
is mixed in proportion of the cement, aggregate (coarse or fine), sand and water. PCC is strong
in compression but weak in the tension and shear. It's commonly use in Foundation work and
flooring in building.
Q55. What is size of a standard brick?
Ans:
Standard brick size is 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 8 (inches). In Pakistan brick size used is 4 ½ x 3
x 9 (inches).
Q56. What is a frog in a brick and what is its purpose?
Ans:
The depression provided in the face of a brick during its manufacturing is called frog.
Frog is provided to bricks, to achieve the following objectives;
 To form a key of the motor [Sand + Cement + Water] in between any two adjacent
courses or layer of brickwork so as to increase the lateral strength.
 To reduce the weight of the brick.
Q57. What is compressive strength of a brick?
Ans:
(i) Common building bricks—35 kg/sq. cm,
(ii) Second class bricks—70 kg/sq. cm,
(iii) First class bricks— 105 kg/sq. cm.
(iv) Crushing strength of bricks not less than 140 kg/sq. cm are graded as AA class.
Q58. Write down at least 6 important properties of a class brick.
Ans:
1. Aesthetic - Bricks offer natural and a variety of colours, including various textures.
2. Strength - Bricks offer excellent high compressive strength.
3. Porosity - The ability to release and absorb moisture is one of the most important and
useful properties of bricks, regulating temperatures and humidity inside structures.
4. Fire Protection - When prepared properly a brick structure can give a fire protection
maximum rating of 6 hours.
5. Sound Attenuation - The brick sound insulation is normally 45 decibels for a 4.5 inches
brick thickness and 50 decibels for a nine-inch thick brick.
6. Wear Resistant - A brick is so strong, that its composition provides excellent wear
resistance.
7. Durability - Brick is extremely durable and perhaps is the most durable man-made
structural building material so far.
Q59. Draw the foundation of 9” masonry wall.

Q60. Draw the foundation of 13-1/2” masonry wall.

Prepared by Ar. Khizra Shahzad, (Visiting Lecturer) Department of Architecture, LCWU