Structural Engineering

Structure is the assemblage of two or more basic elements such as beam, slab, column, truss, frame, shells etc.

Deals with the requirements considering design for limit states of collapse and serviceability.

Involves determination of support reactions, member forces and moments, deflection and deformations.

Deals with planning of positions/layout of different elements and design (determination of size, shape and material) of component such that safety and serviceability requirements are not sacrificed, yet economy is considered. 

Repair, rehabilitation and maintenance is part of structural engineering.

Dams, Bridges, Stadiums, Auditoriums, Multi-storeyed buildings are analyzed & designed

Components Of Structure

Beam

A beam is a horizontal member that can be comprised of a number of materials (including steel, wood aluminium) to withstand loads by flexure.

Beams can also be referred to members, elements, rafters, shafts or purlins. 

Beams can come in a wide range of shapes that have different applications and strength purposes. 

Some common shapes are I beams, T-beams, channel sections, rectangular, hollow rectangular and pipes. 

In analysis and design, they are often picked up from manufacturer libraries and databases so that the industry is modelling all structures based on the similar shapes and dimensions.

Column

Columns are vertical elements that carry only axial force usually compression – or both axial force and bending. 

The design of a column must check the axial capacity of the element, and the buckling capacity. 

The buckling capacity is the capacity of the element to withstand the propensity to buckle. 

Its capacity depends upon its geometry, material, and the effective length of the column, which depends upon the restraint conditions at the top and bottom of the column. 

Slab

Slabs are constructed to provide flat surfaces, usually horizontal, in building floors, roofs, bridges, and other types of structures. 

The slab may be supported by walls, by reinforced concrete beams usually cast monolithically with the slab, by structural steel beams, by columns, or by the ground.

Footing

Footings are structural elements that transmit column or wall loads to the underlying soil below the structure. 

Footings are designed (a) to transmit the loads to the soil without exceeding its safe bearing capacity; (b) to prevent excessive settlement of the structure to a tolerable limit; (c) to minimize differential settlement and (d) to prevent sliding and overturning. 

The settlement depends upon the intensity of the load, type of soil, and foundation level. 

Where possibility of differential settlement occurs, the different footings should be designed in such away to settle independently of each other.

Walls

Walls are used to divide or enclose and in building construction, to form the periphery of a room or a building. 

In traditional masonry construction, walls supported the weight of floors and roofs.

Modern steel and reinforced concrete frames, as well as heavy timber and other skeletal structures, require exterior walls for shelter.