STRUCTURAL MEMBERS

Structural Members are subjected to

 Pulling or tension (a force)

 Pushing or compression (a force)

 Cutting or shear (a force)

 Bending or flexure (a moment)

 Twisting or torsion (a moment)

Compression Members:
 The forces acting on a compression member are the exact opposite to those acting on a tension
member, but the behavior of the member is not the exact opposite, because a compression member
may buckle if incorrectly designed.

The Column fails by buckling when the load is

P = kπ2EAr2

l2

Where, π – circular constant E – Young’s modulus A - Area of the section R – Radius of gyration

l - Effective length of the column

The radius of gyration is a geometric property of the section, in which a

 a solid square section has a low value of ‘r’

 a thin tube of the same cross-sectional area has a much higher value of ‘r’.

a. Square section has a low ‘r’

b. High ‘r’

c. High ‘r’

d. High ‘r’
 e. High ‘r’

f. A open tube formed from four angles.

Cables:

The high tensile strength of steel, combined with the efficiency of simple tension, makes a steel cable
the ideal structural element to span large distances.

Cables are flexible because of their small lateral dimensions in relation to their lengths. Flexibility
indicates a limited to resistance to bending.
A cable will span the largest possible distance if it can just carry its weight, but will break under the
smallest additional load. Assuming an optimal sag-span ratio of one-third, to minimize the weight of the
cable, it is found that a steel cable with a strength of 2,00,000 pounds per square inch could span a
distance of 17 miles. The maximum distance is independent of the cable diameter, since both the weight
of the cable and its tensile strength is proportional to the area of the cross-section.

Trusses:

Trusses are capable of spanning large distances by means of tension and compression elements
only by combining triangular elementary trusses. For example, a triangulated truss with the bars of the
upper chord and verticals in compression, and the bars of the lower chord and the diagonals in tension.
Space frames:

A Space Frame is a structural system assembled of linear elements so arranged that forces are
transferred in a three-dimensional manner. In some cases, the constituent elements may be two-
dimensional. Macroscopically, a space frame often takes the form of a flat or a curved surface.

A distinction is sometimes made between space frames and space trusses. Space trusses are
those systems which have pin-jointed members. Space frames are those which have rigid jointed
members.

SINGLE LAYER SPACE STRUCTURES

DOUBLE LAYER SPACE STRUCTURES

ADVANTAGES OF SPACE FRAMES:

 The shortage and increasing cost of qualified labour has favoured the adoption of prefabricated
and industrialised forms of construction. Space structures can be assembled from simple,
 prefabricated units of standard size and shape, which can be mass produced in the factory and
assembled easily and rapidly at site by semi-skilled labour.

 Because of the small size of the components, it is very easy to handle, transport and erect these
structures using conventional constructional methods.

The network configuration of space structures accounts for its light weight. For instance, the self weight
per unit surface area of a 40 m diameter dome is approximately 15 times larger for a concrete dome
than for a latticed metal dome. This is obtained with no sacrifice for rigidity.
Large column free areas are usually required for industrial buildings, sports stadia, swimming pools,
exhibition halls, theatres and assembly rooms. For very large column free areas they are very
economical and provide the only solution.

 Space structures, especially skeletal frame works, when exposed, provide an architecturally
pleasant appearance.

 Due to their rigidity, they allow greater flexibility in layout and positioning of columns. It is
possible for some of the columns to be removed or have their positions changed without
damaging the structural integrity of the framework.

DISADVANTAGES:

 SIMPLICITY: The advantage of simplicity can, itself, be restrictive in some forms of construction;
it leads to the necessity of making more site joints than is usual for a simple structure which
spans in single direction.

 COST OF JOINTS: The cost of the joints relative to the cost of materials between the joints is
invariably much higher that with plane structures.

 COST OF ERECTION: Most of the space structures are completely assembled at ground level and
lifted either in one piece or in large units into their final position. This requires more costly
hoisting equipment than required plane frames.

Flat Slabs:
Beamless floors supported on enlarged column heads are called flat slabs. They are
particularly suitable for buildings with open spaces, such as factories, warehouses and parking
garages; partitions do not fit easily between the enlarged column heads.