(1) Materials

Reinforced Concrete
VS Steel
Reinforced Concrete Materials
Advantage

 good resistance to weather & chemical, and good sound and thermal insulation
 the structure system is more rigid, thus, less severe problem associated with
sway deflection, floor vibration, and local column buckling
 higher fire resistance
 minimal maintenance is required
 materials required to make concrete are readily available in the local market,
thus no pre-ordering is necessary
 local contractors are firmly familiar with RC construction
 can be cast into any versatile shape, thus, allow more flexible design
 fairly tolerable on last minute changes from Client and Architect
 waterproofing can be easily applied with different degree of waterproofing
 can produce a good finished surface, thus, no painting is necessary
Reinforced Concrete Materials
Disadvantage

 general heavier and hence more expensive foundation resulted

 special care must be taken to ensure esthetic appearance against cracks
induced by creeping and shrinkage effects
 intensive amount of falsework and shuttering are required
 easily affected by weather condition, this will prolong construction time
Steel Materials
Advantage

 fast construction, weather independent

 flooring can be cast at the same time where formwork are provided by un-
propped corrugated steel decking
 lightweighted, thus, less expansive foundation can be designed (i.e. shallow
foundation.)
 assembly is simple, since all members can be pre-fabricated prior to delivery
to site
 structure tends to be shallower in structural depth, thus, more space will be
provided for service routing
 with high strength to weigh ratio, suitable for long span construction.
Steel Materials
Disadvantage

 Long pre-ordering and delivery time would be required since majority

members are to be import from overseas
 Early decision on member size & connection details are required so as to allow
for ordering and shop drawing preparation.
 Steel members require special treatment and protection on fire & corrosion.
 Special surface treatments are needed:
 Low cost – Sprayed System (Mineral fibre sprayed systems,
Vermiculite/gypsum/cement system)
 External System (Mineral fibre boards/batts, Vermiculite/gypsum boards,
Plasterboard)
 Preformed System
 Intumescent Coatings
 Water or Concrete filled structural hollow sections
 Concrete casings
Steel Materials
Disadvantage

 frequent maintenance is required

 skilful labors are required for fabrication, erection, and welding
 large area on site is required for storage of structural member prior to erection
 sensitive to temperature change and vibration
 steel members will deflect appreciably under total load, needs pre-cambering
 fabrication needs heavy plant and crane
 (2) Structural Systems
•Vertical Load Supporting System
• Lateral Load Supporting System (x & y directions)
 Structural Systems

Cantilever without
back span

Columns do not
vertically align Too long cantilevers

Cantilever from
column without
back span

Heavy loading on long

span transfer beam

Long Slender Columns

(3) Structural Forms
Floor Supporting Systems
 Structural Forms
(Floor Supporting System)
w

• Shear α L

L
• Moment α L2
• Deflection α L4

Deflection depends on:

•Span
•Structural Depth
•Loading
•Restraints
Different forms of Bracing Structural Forms
(Bracing)
Athletic Centre, Sydney, Australia
State Hockey Centre
Irregular Form
Federation Square
(4) Preliminary Member Sizing
Typical service zone requirements
Reinforced Concrete
RC beams Typical s /d Typical span

Continuous 15 – 20 Up to 10m
10 – 15 10 – 20m
Simply supported 12 – 15 Up to 10m
8 – 12 10 – 20m
Cantilever 5–7 7m
Steel
Element Typical s /d Typical span

Floor beams (UB’s) 15 – 18 Up to 12m

(include floor slab
Plate girder 10 – 12 Up to 12m

Castellated UB’s * 14 – 17 12 – 20m

Lattice girders (RSA’s) + 12 – 15 Up to 35m

Lattice girders (Tubular) 15 – 18 Up to 100m

Roof trusses (pitch >20o) 14 – 15 Up to 17m

Space Frames 20 – 24 Up to 60m

* Avoid if high point loads; increase Ireq by 1.3

+ Precamber by L/250
Typical column size
Appendix: Preliminary design charts
Appendix: Preliminary design charts (cont’d)
Appendix: Preliminary design charts (cont’d)
Appendix: Preliminary design charts (cont’d)
Appendix: Preliminary design charts (cont’d)
Appendix: Preliminary design charts (cont’d)
Appendix: Preliminary design charts (cont’d)
(4) References

 Fuller Moore, Understanding Structures, Boston,

WCB/McGraw-Hill, 1999.
 Institution of Structured Engineers, Manual for the design
of reinforced concrete building structures, London, the
Institution, 1985.
 Institution of Structured Engineers, Manual for the design
of steelwork building structures, London, the Institution,
1989.
 Ove Arup & Partners, Structural scheme design guide,
London, Arup Research & Development, 1998.