Unity University

School of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Academic Year: 2024/25
 Steel and Timber Structures
Chapter One : Introduction
1.1 Types of Steel Structure
1.2 Structural Members
1.3 Material Properties of Structural Steel
1.4 Structural Steel Shapes
1.5 Uses of Structures Steel
1.6 Merits and Drawbacks of Steel Structures
1.7 Limit State General Concepts
 Steel and Timber Structures…
➢A steel structure is a metal structure which is made of structural
steel components connected to each other to carry loads and provide
rigidity.
➢Because of the high strength of steel, these structures are reliable
and require less raw material than some other types of structure
such as concrete.
➢Structures may be made from different materials:
✓Steel, Concrete, Wood , Stone, plastic etc.
➢Structures whose major constituent components are steel are known
as steel structures
➢Those with large proportion of timber components are timber
structures
➢Structures are required to support loads and resist forces.
➢Structures transfer the loads and forces to the foundation of the
structure
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➢The loads and forces arise from:
✓The mass of the structure(self weight)
✓Superimposed dead loads(None structural dead loads)
✓Imposed loads due to the function of the structure (live load)
✓The natural loads: Earthquake loads and wind loads
➢Classification of Steel Structures involves categorizing them based on
their structural behavior, design, and application.
➢ Here are brief explanations of different types of steel structures:
▪ Tension Members
▪ Compression Members
▪ Truss Systems and Frame Systems
▪ Built-up Members and Structures
▪ Shell Structures
▪ Suspension Structures
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1.2 Structural Members/Elements:
➢The following are the elements of steel structures:
✓Steel beams
✓Steel Columns
✓Steel Trusses
✓Steel bracing
✓Steel girders
✓Steel connections
✓Steel frames
1.3 Material properties of steel structures:
➢The most common types of steel properties are tensile strength, hardness,
toughness, Ductility, Weldability, durability and fatigue stress.
➢Tensile strength of steel is determined by the limit up to which it can be
stretched without breaking.
➢Structural steel has high tensile strength and is preferred over other materials for
construction.
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➢Density: The density of Structural Steel is 7750 to 8100 kg/m3.
➢Poisson's ratio: For structural Steel, the acceptable value ranges from 0.27 to 0.3
➢Modulus of elasticity: For structural steel, modulus of elasticity is, E = 210Gpa
➢Tensile strength: Structural Steel has high tensile strength, so it is preferred over
other construction materials.
1.4 Structural Steel Shapes:
➢Structural steel shapes include:
✓Angles
✓Plates
✓Tees
✓Beams
✓Channels and
✓Hollow Structural Sections
➢These shapes are available in structural and bar sizes, and each shape has defining
features and optimal applications.
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Common standard shapes of structural steel

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1.5 Uses of Structures Steel:
➢Structural steel can be used to constitute the complete framing
system in a high rise building.
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➢Used in long span hangar construction
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➢Used in the framing of industrial buildings.
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➢Used in bridge constructions

Steel bridges
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➢Used in communication and transmission facilities

Transmission Steel Towers Communication Steel Towers

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➢Used in long span stadium roof construction

Steel structure stadium roofs

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➢Used in long span cantilever gasoline station
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➢Used for bracing against lateral loads in buildings

Cross-braced structure
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1.6 Merits and drawbacks of steel structures
➢Merits:
✓Strength and durability: Steel is known for its high strength-to-
weight ratio, making it capable of supporting heavy loads and
resisting harsh weather conditions.
✓Quick construction: Steel structures can be prefabricated off-site and
assembled quickly on-site, reducing construction time and labor costs.
✓Flexibility in design: Steel can be easily manipulated into various
shapes and sizes, allowing for innovative and unique architectural
designs.
✓Sustainability: Steel is a recyclable material, reducing the
environmental impact of construction projects. Additionally, steel
structures can be disassembled and reused in other projects.
✓Resistance to Natural Disasters: Steel structures can withstand
earthquakes and high winds better than many other materials.
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➢Drawbacks
✓ Corrosion: Steel is susceptible to rust and corrosion if not
properly treated or maintained, especially in harsh environments.
✓Thermal Conductivity: Steel conducts heat, which can lead to
higher energy costs for heating and cooling unless properly
insulated.
✓Fire Risk: While steel is fire-resistant, it can lose strength at
high temperatures, necessitating fireproofing measures.
1.7 Design Philosophies
➢During the history of the design of structures activities, the
following have been used three design philosophies namely:
1. Permissible stress/Working stress design method
2. Load factor design method
3. Limit state design method
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1. Permissible stress design method/Working stress method
➢ This design concept is based on elastic theory, assuming a straight line stress distribution
along the depth of the concrete.
➢ The actual loads or working loads acting on the structure are estimated and members are
proportioned on the basis of certain allowable stresses in steel.
➢ In this method, permissible stresses are used which is obtained after applying safety
factors on material strength
2. Load factor method/Ultimate load design
➢ It is based on the ultimate strength of the structural members assuming a failure
condition.
➢ In the strength design method, actual loads or working loads are multiplied by load factor
to obtain the ultimate design loads.
➢ The load factor represents a high percentage of factor for safety
3. Limit state design method:
➢ Was formulated in the former Soviet Union in the 1930s and developed in Europe in the
1960s, this approach can perhaps be seen as a compromise between the permissible and
load factor methods.
➢ It is in fact a more comprehensive approach, which take into account both methods in
appropriate ways.
➢ The majorities of modern structural codes of practice are now based on the limit state
design method.
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➢A structure or part of the structure is considered unfit for use when it
exceeds a particular state, called Limit State. beyond which it infringes one
of the criteria governing its performance for use.
➢The Limit State can be placed in two categories:
➢The Ultimate Limit States: are those associated with collapse, or with
other forms of structural failure, which may endanger the safety of the
people.
➢States prior to structural collapse which, for simplicity, are considered in
place of the collapse itself, are treated as ultimate limit states.
➢Normally the ultimate limit state is concerning with the strength of the
structure.
➢The Serviceability Limit States: corresponds to states beyond which
specified service requirements are no longer met, e.g. deformation or
deflections which affect the appearance or effective use of the structure
➢(including the malfunction of machines or services) or cause damage to
finishes of non structural members; vibration which cause discomfort to
people.
Thank You!