Introduction To Structural Analysis
Introduction To Structural Analysis
The word structure has various meanings. The design of a structure involves many considerations,
By an engineering structure we mean roughly among which are four major objectives that must be
something constructed or built. satisfied:
The principal structures of concern to civil engineers The structure must meet the performance requirement (utility).
are bridges, buildings, walls, dams, towers, shells, and The structure must carry loads safely (safety).
cable structures. The structure should be economical in material, construction,
Such structures are composed of one or more solid and cost (economy).
elements arranged so that the whole structures as The structure should have a good appearance (aesthetics).
well as their components are capable of holding
themselves without appreciable geometric change
during loading and unloading.
Consider, for example, the roof truss resting on The purposes of the roof truss and
columns shown below. of the columns are, on the one hand,
to hold in equilibrium their own
weights, the load of roof covering,
and the wind and snow
The complete design of a structure is outlined in the The complete design of a structure is outlined in the
following stages: following stages:
(1) Developing a general layout
Developing a general layout
Investigating the loads
The general layout of a structure is selected from many possible
Stress analysis
alternatives.
Selection of elements
Drawing and detailing
This stage involves the choice of structural type, the selection of
material, and a tentative estimation of cost based on a reasonable
analysis of a preliminary structural design.
These five stages are interrelated and may be subdivided and
modified
It is clear that this stage of design calls for an engineer with a high
In many cases they must be carried out more or less simultaneously
order of experience, skill, general knowledge, and imagination.
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Static versus dynamic
Plane verse space
Linear versus nonlinear structures
Any Questions?
Statically determinate versus statically indeterminate structures