Lecture -1

Over view and basic concepts

by
M. G. Gadgil

Contents
.Primary objective of structural engg activity
Basic classification of structures
Building blocks of structure
Materials
Loads on structure
Tools of analysis
Demo using ETABS

Primary objective of structural engg activity

To plan, design and detail a structural system

which will carry safely the loads coming on it.
i. We have a structural system
ii. It has to carry loads
iii. The loads be carried safely and efficiently

We have a structure
Def. Structure is an assemblage of members
suitably connected to each other and supported so
that it carries loads coming on it safely to the
support/foundation
Thus the basic building blocks of any structure
is a member or an element which may be one
two or three dimensional

Structures
Brief type of structures
i. Buildings
ii. Bridges
iii. Fluid container tanks
iv. Retaining walls
v. Dams
vi. Aircrafts
vii. Ships
viii.Automobiles
ix. Tunnels
x. Jetty
xi. Cranes

Classification of structures
from engineers point of view
i. Beam
ii. Column
iii. Truss--- plane/space
iv. Frame plane/space
v. Floor grid
vi. Slab
vii. Shell
viii.Arch
ix. Cable
x. 3-d solid

Basic building blocks of

structures
i. Truss element
ii. Beam element
iii. Frame element 2-3 d
iv. Slab element
v. Membrane element
vi. Shell element
vii. Solid element

Internal forces in members of a

structure
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Axial force
Shear force
Bending moment
Torsion

Internal stresses in any members

i. Normal stress tensile
ii. Normal stress compressive
iii. Shear stress

Materials of structure
I. Natural materials
II. Man made materials

Natural materials
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Soil
Stones
Timbers
Natural fibres
Hair
Water
Air

Man made materials

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Bricks
Concrete
Metals
Non metals
Polymers
Man made fibres

Properties of material required

in structural analysis and design
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Density
Elastic modulus
Shear modulus
Bulk modulus
Ultimate stress in tension/compression/shear
Poissons ratio

Assumptions made regarding

any material used in structure
i. Material is isotropic
ii. Material is homogeneous
iii. Material is linearly elastic

Loads on structure

i. Self wt
ii. Imposed load --- floor finish, live load
iii. Wind load
iv. Seismic load
v. Temperature loads
vi. Shrinkage and creep of concrete
vii.Fatigue
viii.Lack of fit
ix. Pre-stress
x. Buoyancy
xi. Pressure
xii.Electro-Magnetic force

The loads be carried safely and efficiently

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Failure due to any cause be avoided

Structure must perform the intended function
Structure must be maintenance free
Structure must have sufficient life

The loads be carried safely

Failure due to any cause be avoided

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Failure due to overstressing

Failure due to buckling
Failure due to creep
Failure due to fatigue
Failure due to settlement of foundation
Failure due to unforeseen/accidental situation

.
The loads be carried efficiently
.Structure must perform the intended
function
. Structure must be maintenance free
. Structure must have sufficient life

Tools of analysis

1. Equations of equilibrium
2. Compatibility equations
3. Hookes law or laws of elasticity

Methods of analysis of structures

i. Stiffness method
ii. Flexibility method
iii. Mixed method