Structural Theory

INTRODUCTION
Course outline (as per CE CMO
92 2017)
Introduction
1. Introduction to structural engineering; the analysis and design process; structural forms,
nature of loads; building materials
2. Types of supports; support reactions, degrees of static and kinematic indeterminacy for
planar and spatial structures; degrees of freedom of joint translation and rotation; condition
for instability, stability and redundancy of structures;
3. Concept of axial, shear, torsion, flexural rigidities and stiffness of structural members.
Definition of structural analysis
A structure (as it relates to civil engineering) is a system of interconnected
members used to support external loads.
Structural analysis is the prediction of the response of structures to specified
arbitrary external loads.
During the preliminary structural design stage, a structure’s potential
external load is estimated, and the size of the structure’s interconnected
members are determined based on the estimated loads.
Definition of structural analysis
Structural analysis establishes the relationship between a structural
member’s expected external load and the structure’s corresponding
developed internal stresses and displacements that occur within the member
when in service.
This is necessary to ensure that the structural members satisfy the safety
and the serviceability requirements of the local building code and
specifications of the area where the structure is located.
Structural analysis and design
process
Modeling: Create a model of the structure that includes all its details, like
beams, columns, and foundations
Load analysis: Determine all the loads that might affect the structure, such as
wind, dead, and live loads
Structural analysis: Analyze how the structure will behave under different
load conditions
System design: Determine the dimensions of each part of the structure and
ensure they work together
Element detailing: Specify the materials, dimensions, and reinforcements for
each element of the structure
Iterative design and drafting: Use prototyping, checking, and refining to
reach a final design
Structural forms
Solid structures – made from a single piece of a strong material, like concrete or brick
Frame structures – made of arranged rigid parts
Shell structures – resemble a shell shape, like a dome or vault
Truss bridges – use geometric patterns of connected elements
Loadings
Dead loads
Live loads
Impact loads
Environmental loads (earthquake load, wind load, snow load, etc.)
 Building materials
Concrete (cement, sand, gravel and water) • Reinforced concrete (concrete
and reinforcement bars)
 Building materials
Structural Steel • Timber
 Building materials
Masonry
 Types of structural supports and
reaction
Fixed support - A fixed support is the most rigid
type of support or connection. It constrains the
member in all translations and rotations (i.e. it
cannot move or rotate in any direction).
 Types of structural supports and
reaction
Pinned support - A pinned support is a very
common type of support and is most commonly
compared to a hinge in civil engineering. Like a
hinge, a pinned support allows rotation to occur
but no translation (i.e. it resists horizontal and
vertical forces but not a moment).
 Types of structural supports and
reaction
Roller support - Roller supports can resist a
vertical force but not a horizontal force. A roller
support or connection is free to move horizontally
as there is nothing constraining it.
Types of forces
External Forces – Applied forces and reaction forces
Internal Forces – forces and couples exerted on a member or portion of the structure by the rest
of the structure.
 Internal stability
A structure is internally stable or rigid, if it • A structure is internally unstable
maintains its shape and remains a rigid body
when detached from the supports. or nonrigid, if it cannot maintain
its shape and may undergo large
displacement when not
supported externally.
 Statically determinate vs Static
indeterminate
Statically Determinate Statically Indeterminate
Can solve for all reactions and Need more than just equilibrium
internal forces using ONLY to solve reactions and internal
equilibrium forces
 Statically determinate vs Static
indeterminate
Statically Determinate Statically Indeterminate
DoI = Degree of indeterminacy
Determinacy of Internally Stable
r<3 The structure is statically unstable externally
r=3 The structure is statically determinate externally
r>3 The structure is statically indeterminate externally

r - reactions
3 – number of equilibrium equations (ΣFh = 0, ΣFv = 0, ΣM = 0)
 Determinacy of Internally
unstable
r +fi < 3nr The structure is statically unstable externally
r +fi = 3nr The structure is statically determinate externally
r +fi > 3nr The structure is statically indeterminate externally

r - number of reactions
fi - number of internal forces
3nr - number of rigid member
*Internally unstable, including member with internal hinges and roller.
Identify if the given structures are statically
determinate or statically indeterminate
Identify if the given structures are statically
determinate or statically indeterminate
Identify if the given structures are statically
determinate or statically indeterminate