Structural Engineering

Sergio F. Brea

STEM Education Institute

Saturday Workshop
September 30, 2006

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Outline
Introduction to Structural Engineering

Forces in Structures

Structural Systems

Civil Engineering Materials

Some Definitions of Important Structural

Properties

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 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

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 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)

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 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

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Examples of Typical Structures

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Forces in Structures

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 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

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Forces Acting in Structures

Vertical: Gravity Lateral: Wind, Earthquake

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Global Stability

Sliding Overturning

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Forces in Structural Elements

100
lb

100
lb

Tension Compression
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Forces in Structural Elements (cont.)

100
lb

Bending

Torsion

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Typical Structural Systems (1)

Arch

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Typical Structural Systems (2)

Truss
C

T
C C

T
Forces in Truss Members

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Typical Structural Systems (3)

Frame

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Typical Structural Systems (4)

Flat Plate

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Typical Structural Systems (5)

Folded Plate
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Typical Structural Systems (6)

Shells

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Properties of Civil Engineering Materials

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Definition of Stress
T
Example (English Units):

Stress = Force/Area T = 1,000 lb (1 kip)

A = 10 in2.
Section X
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
Stress = 4448/6450 = 0.69 N/mm2 (MPa)
T
University of Massachusetts Amherst
 Definition of Strain
T

Strain = L / Lo
L
Example:

Lo = 10 in.
L = 0.12 in.

Lo Strain = 0.12 / 10 = 0.012 in./in.

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Stress Strain Behavior of Elastic Mats.

Stress

E = Modulus of Elasticity = Stress / Strain

Strain

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Types of Stress-Strain Behavior
Stress Stress

Strain Strain
(a) Linear Elastic (b) Non-linear Elastic
Stress Stress

Plastic strain Strain Plastic strain Strain

(c) Elastic-plastic (d) Non-linear Plastic

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Materials Used in Civil Engineering
Stone and Masonry

Metals
Cast Iron
Steel
Aluminum

Concrete

Wood

Fiber-Reinforced Plastics

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 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/in 2

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Concrete Components
Sand (Fine Aggregate)
Gravel (Coarse Aggregate)
Cement (Binder)
Water
Air

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Composite
Laminate

Polyester
Polymer
Epoxy
Matrix
Vinylester

Glass Functions of matrix:

Fiber
Materials Aramid (Kevlar) Force transfer to fibers
Carbon Compressive strength
Function of fibers: Chemical protection
Provide stiffness
Tensile strength
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Important Structural Properties

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 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

University of Massachusetts Amherst
 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

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Axial Stiffness
T

Stiffness = T / L

Example:

T = 100 lb
Lo
L = 0.12 in.

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

T
University of Massachusetts Amherst
 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.

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Stiffness of Different Structural Shapes

Stiff Stiffer

Stiffest
University of Massachusetts Amherst
 Types of Structural Elements Bars and Cables

Bars can carry either tension

or compression Cables can only carry tension

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Types of Structural Elements Beams

Loads

Compression

Tension

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Providing Stability for Lateral Loads

Racking Failure of Pinned Frame

Braced Frame Infilled Frame Rigid Joints

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Concepts in Equilibrium

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 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

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 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:
A
100 lb x 3 ft = 50 lb x 6 ft

3 ft 6 ft

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Force Calculation in Simple Structure

Side BC 8 ft
= = 1.333
A Side AB 6 ft

10 Side AC 10 ft
ft = = 1.667
Side AB 6 ft
6 ft

Force BC
36.9 = 1.333
Force AB
C
B Force BC = 1.333 x 100 lb = 133.3 lb
100
lb
Force AC
= 1.667
Force AB
8 ft Force AC = 1.667 x 100 lb = 166.7 lb

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Graphic Statics

16
6 .7
lb

100 lb

36.9

133.3 lb

1 Square = 10 lb
University of Massachusetts Amherst
 Force Transfer from Beams to Supports

Force, P

1/3 L 2/3 L

2/3 P 1/3 P
Span, L

University of Massachusetts Amherst

 Force Transfer Example - Bridge

8,000 lb 32,000 lb

15 ft 45 ft

30 ft 30 ft

L = 60 ft

22,000 lb* 18,000 lb**

*Front axle: 8,000 lb x 45/60 = 6,000 lb **Front axle: 8,000 lb x 15/60 = 2,000 lb
Rear axle: 32,000 lb x 30/60 = 16,000 lb Rear axle: 32,000 lb x 30/60 = 16,000 lb

University of Massachusetts Amherst

www.teachersdomain.org

University of Massachusetts Amherst