Structural Engineering

Sergio F. Brea
STEM Education Institute
Saturday Workshop
September 30, 2006

Outline
Introduction to Structural Engineering
Forces in Structures
Structural Systems
Civil Engineering Materials
Some Definitions of Important Structural
Properties

Structural Engineering
What does a Structural Engineer do?
A Structural Engineer designs the structural
systems and structural elements in buildings,
bridges, stadiums, tunnels, and other civil
engineering works (bones)

Design: process of determining location, material,

and size of structural elements to resist forces
acting in a structure

Engineering Design Process

Identify the problem (challenge)
Explore alternative solutions
Research past experience
Brainstorm
Preliminary design of most promising solutions

Analyze and design one or more viable solutions

Testing and evaluation of solution
Experimental testing (prototype) or field tests
Peer evaluation

Build solution using available resources (materials,

equipment, labor)

Design Process in Structural Engineering

Select material for construction
Determine appropriate structural system for a
particular case
Determine forces acting on a structure
Calculate size of members and connections
to avoid failure (collapse) or excessive
deformation

Examples of Typical Structures

Forces in Structures

Forces Acting in Structures

Forces induced by gravity
Dead Loads (permanent): self-weight of structure
and attachments
Live Loads (transient): moving loads (e.g.
occupants, vehicles)

Forces induced by wind

Forces induced by earthquakes
Forces induced by rain/snow
Fluid pressures
Others

Forces Acting in Structures

Vertical: Gravity

Lateral: Wind, Earthquake

Global Stability

Sliding

Overturning

Forces in Structural Elements

100
lb

100
lb

Tension

Compression

Forces in Structural Elements (cont.)

100
lb

Bending

Torsion

Typical Structural Systems (1)

Arch

Typical Structural Systems (2)

Truss

C
C

T
Forces in Truss Members

Typical Structural Systems (3)

Frame

Typical Structural Systems (4)

Flat Plate

Typical Structural Systems (5)

Folded Plate

Typical Structural Systems (6)

Shells

Properties of Civil Engineering Materials

Definition of Stress
T

Example (English Units):

Stress = Force/Area
Section X

T = 1,000 lb (1 kip)
A = 10 in2.
Stress = 1,000/10 = 100 lb/in2
Example (SI Units):

Section X

1 lb = 4.448 N (Newton)
1 in = 25.4 mm
T = 1,000 lb x 4.448 N/lb = 4448 N
A = 10 in2 x (25.4 mm)2 = 6450 mm2
(1 in)2
T
T

Stress = 4448/6450 = 0.69 N/mm2 (MPa)

Definition of Strain
T
Strain = L / Lo

Example:
Lo = 10 in.
L = 0.12 in.
Strain = 0.12 / 10 = 0.012 in./in.

Lo

Strain is dimensionless!!
(same in English or SI units)

Stress Strain Behavior of Elastic Mats.

Stress

E
E = Modulus of Elasticity = Stress / Strain

Strain

Types of Stress-Strain Behavior

Stress

Stress

E
Strain
(b) Non-linear Elastic

Strain
(a) Linear Elastic
Stress

Stress

Plastic strain

(c) Elastic-plastic

Strain

Strain
(d) Non-linear Plastic

Plastic strain

Materials Used in Civil Engineering

Stone and Masonry
Metals

Cast Iron
Steel
Aluminum

Concrete
Wood
Fiber-Reinforced Plastics

Engineering Properties of Materials

Steel

Maximum stress: 40,000 120,000 lb/in2

Maximum strain: 0.2 0.4
Modulus of elasticity: 29,000,000 lb/in2

Concrete
Maximum stress: 4,000 12,000 lb/in2
Maximum strain: 0.004
Modulus of elasticity: 3,600,000 6,200,000 lb/in 2

Wood
Values depend on wood grade. Below are some samples
Tension stress: 1300 lb/in2
Compression stress: 1500 lb/in2
Modulus of elasticity: 1,600,000 lb/in 2

Concrete Components

Sand (Fine Aggregate)

Gravel (Coarse Aggregate)
Cement (Binder)
Water
Air

Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Composite
Laminate

Polymer
Matrix
Glass

Fiber
Materials Aramid (Kevlar)
Carbon

Function of fibers:
Provide stiffness
Tensile strength

Polyester
Epoxy
Vinylester

Functions of matrix:
Force transfer to fibers
Compressive strength
Chemical protection

Important Structural Properties

Engineering Properties of Structural Elements

Strength
Ability to withstand a given stress without failure
Depends on type of material and type of force (tension or
compression)

Tensile Failure

Compressive Failure

Engineering Properties of Structural Elements

Stiffness (Rigidity)
Property related to deformation
Stiffer structural elements deform less under the same
applied load
Stiffness depends on type of material (E), structural shape,
and structural configuration
Two main types
Axial stiffness
Bending stiffness

Axial Stiffness
T

L
Stiffness = T / L
Example:
T = 100 lb
L = 0.12 in.

Lo

Stiffness = 100 lb / 0.12 in. = 833 lb/in.

Bending Stiffness
Displacement
Force

Stiffness = Force / Displacement

Example:
Force = 1,000 lb
Displacement = 0.5 in.
Stiffness = 1,000 lb / 0.5 in. = 2,000 lb/in.

Stiffness of Different Structural Shapes

Stiff

Stiffer

Stiffest

Types of Structural Elements Bars and Cables

Bars can carry either tension

or compression

Cables can only carry tension

Types of Structural Elements Beams

Loads

Compression

Tension

Providing Stability for Lateral Loads

Racking Failure of Pinned Frame

Braced Frame

Infilled Frame

Rigid Joints

Concepts in Equilibrium

Equilibrium of Forces (Statics)

Forces are a type of quantity called vectors
Defined by magnitude and direction

Statement of equilibrium
Net force at a point in a structure = zero
(summation of forces = zero)

Net force at a point is determined using a

force polygon to account for magnitude and
direction

Moment (Rotational) Equilibrium

Moment of Force = Force x Distance

To neutralize rotation about point A,
moments from the two forces has to
be equal and opposite:

3 ft

100 lb x 3 ft = 50 lb x 6 ft

6 ft

Force Calculation in Simple Structure

Side BC
Side AB

A
10

Side AC

ft

Side AB

6 ft
36.9
C

B
100
lb

8 ft

8 ft
6 ft
10 ft
6 ft

= 1.333

= 1.667

Force BC
= 1.333
Force AB
Force BC = 1.333 x 100 lb = 133.3 lb
Force AC
= 1.667
Force AB
Force AC = 1.667 x 100 lb = 166.7 lb

Graphic Statics

16

6.
7

lb

100 lb
36.9

133.3 lb
1 Square = 10 lb

Force Transfer from Beams to Supports

Force, P

1/3 L
2/3 P

2/3 L

Span, L

1/3 P

Force Transfer Example - Bridge

8,000 lb

32,000 lb

15 ft

45 ft

30 ft

30 ft
L = 60 ft

22,000 lb*
*Front axle: 8,000 lb x 45/60 = 6,000 lb
Rear axle: 32,000 lb x 30/60 = 16,000 lb

18,000 lb**
**Front axle: 8,000 lb x 15/60 = 2,000 lb
Rear axle: 32,000 lb x 30/60 = 16,000 lb

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