Scribd
Upload
13 views

Structures

The document provides an overview of structures, defining them as arrangements of elements designed to support weight and maintain shape under external forces. It categorizes structures into types such as mass, frame, trussed, cable-stayed, arched, laminar, and inflatable, while also discussing the importance of strength, stability, and rigidity in structural design. Additionally, it explains the concepts of forces, loads, stresses, and methods to enhance structural integrity through material selection and design techniques like trussing.

Uploaded by

gimenojavier
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views

Structures

The document provides an overview of structures, defining them as arrangements of elements designed to support weight and maintain shape under external forces. It categorizes structures into types such as mass, frame, trussed, cable-stayed, arched, laminar, and inflatable, while also discussing the importance of strength, stability, and rigidity in structural design. Additionally, it explains the concepts of forces, loads, stresses, and methods to enhance structural integrity through material selection and design techniques like trussing.

Uploaded by

gimenojavier
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 20

Structures y Mechanisms

Golden Gate. San Francisco


Structures: definition y types

A structure is a set of elements arranged in a way that is appropriate for


supporting the weight of a body and maintaining its shape, despite external
forces that may act on it.

Structure of a building: Human body structure:


Columns and beams skeleton
Structures: definition and types

When we design a structure, we need to combine maximum strength with the


mínimum amount of material. This way, the structure Will fulfil its function and its
construction Will be as economical and lightweight as posible.

Romanic style. San Martín Fromista Gothic style. Saint Chapelle. París
Structures: definition and types

Romanic Style. San Martín Fromista Gothic Style. Notre Dame. París
Structures: definition and types
Types:
1. Mass structures. These are solid,
heavy and very sturdy structures.
Examples: walls, dams and, in ancient
times, pyramids (like the ones in
Egypt and Teotihuacan).

2. Frame structures: These are formed


by pillars and beams that are
connected to each other and, along
with the foundations, act as
supporting elements. Example: the
structure of a building.
Pillars are vertical elements that
support the beams and the rest of the
structure. Beams are horizontal
elements that support the weight of
the floors and ceilings above.
Structures: definition and types
Tipos:
3.Trussed structures
These structures are formed by bars
arranged to form triangles or trusses. They
are lightweight but sturdy. Examples:
cranes and electricity pylons.

4.Cable-stayed or suspension structures


These structures are held in place by stay
cables, usually made from steel, attached to
sturdy supports. They are often found in
bridges.
Structures: definition and types
Types:
3. Arched and vaulted structures

Arches and vaults are formed by stone blocks supported by their own
weight. They are used to cover a space between two pillars or walls. To
distinguish between an arch and a vault, just remember that an arch is
linear and a vault is superficial (an arch moving along a straight line
would draw a vault).
Structures: definition and types
Types:

5. Laminar structures
These are made up of sheets that form a protective housing and
support. Examples: the body of a car, the fuselage of an aircraft and the
housing of a mobile phone.
Structures: definition and types
Types:

9. Inflatable structures
These are formed by canvases stretched by compressed air. They have
been developed in recent years and are used for pavilions and shelters.
They are also used as emergency architecture for disasters. For an idea
of what these structures are like, you can imagine a hot air balloon or a
pool float.
Structures: definition and types
Types:

A structural element common to all structures: foundations


Foundations are elements of reinforced concrete that are set into
the ground to spread the weight of the structure.
As the figure shows, foundations have steel reinforcement.
Forces, loads and stresses

A force is an influence that can deform a body or change its movement or


produce motion in a body at rest.

For a structure to perform its function when forces act on it, it must
not deform or change its resting status. It must be able to support its own
weight as well as external loads and actions, such as the force of water or
wind, impact, earth tremor, etc.

To study a structure, we need to know the force that acts on it and the effect
that this force has. This effect is called stress.

Stresses are the internal tensions that a body is subjected to when different
forces act on it.
Forces and stresses
By the principle of action and reaction, every action on a body is accompanied
by a reaction from it. For example, when I lean on the table with a certain force,
if it does not move downwards or does not break, it is because it exerts a force
in the opposite direction that is the same as mine.

Stresses are the internal tensions that a body is subjected to when


different forces act on it.
So, what is the difference between force and stress? Think of this
example: when we lean on a table, we exert a force on the table, and on
the floor, and it will be subject to stress from these two forces.
Forces and stresses
Types of stress
It is not necessary for a structure to resist every type of stress, only the ones that
it will be subjected to over its useful life.
The basic stresses that a body or element of a structure may have to withstand
are: compression, tension (or traction), bending, torsion and shear.

1 Compression
Caused by two oppositely directed forces acting on a body,
tending to flatten it or reduce its length or thickness.
Types of stresses
2. Tension (or traction)

Caused by two oppositely directed forces acting on a body, tending to stretch it.

3. Bending
Caused by two forces acting on a body, tending to flex or bend it. In this
case, three forces are needed to represent a bend, as shown in the figure.
Types of stresses

4. Torsion
Caused by two oppositely directed
forces acting on a body, tending to twist
it.

5. Shear
Caused by two oppositely directed
forces acting on a body along very close
lines of action, tending to cut it.
Achieving strength, stability and rigidity

The structures around us must be safe. Therefore, they must behave


appropriately when forces (planned or unplanned) act on them. We can
summarise this appropriate behaviour of structures in three conditions:

Strength. The structure must resist the forces to which it is subjected


over its useful life.

Stability. The structure must remain in stable equilibrium under the


action of the forces to which it is subjected over its useful life.

Rigidity. The structure must remain rigid, i.e. it must not deform, under
the action of the forces to which it is subjected over its useful life.
Achieving strength, stability and rigidity

Increase strength: structural elements and materials


A structure must be able to resist the stresses to which it will be
subjected. This is why the various structural elements that we saw
above are studied and planned for.
Additionally, to improve the strength of a structure, we must choose
the best material (this is why materials engineers study them to
determine how well they resist different types of stress).
Knowing our materials well allows us to save on the materials we use.
For example, we can use sections.

L-shaped Round section

Weacker Stronger
Achieving strength, stability and rigidity

Increase stability: the centre of gravity

Stability is a key condition of structures because they must not fall,


topple or collapse when a force acts on them. The stability of a
structure depends on the position of its centre of gravity.

The centre of gravity is the point where the weight of an object is


considered to be concentrated.

How can we increase the stability of a structure?


By locating the centre of gravity of the structure at a point close to
the base:

1.By widening the base (supporting surface) of the structure

•By making a good foundation for the structure

•By supporting the structure with stay cables


Achieving strength, stability and rigidity

Increase stability: the centre of gravity


How can we increase the stability of a structure?
By locating the centre of gravity of the structure at a point close to
the base:

1.By widening the base (supporting surface) of the structure

2. By making a good foundation for the structure

3.By supporting the structure with stay cables


Achieving strength, stability and rigidity

Increase rigidity: trussing

To create a more rigid structure, we can add strengthening


elements to it, such as diagonal bars, to truss it.
Trussing is a method for making weak structures more rigid. It
works because the triangle is the only figure that cannot be
deformed. Therefore, structures that have a triangular shape are
rigid.
By contrast, when a force is applied to a quadrilateral structure, it
can be deformed because it is not rigid. How can we make it rigid?
By adding a diagonal bar to the structure, we divide it into two
triangles, i.e. we triangulate the structure.

You might also like