Lecture Module no.

1
Introduction to Structural Engineering,
Analysis and Design Process
Sources:
Structural Analysis Fourth Edition – Kassimali
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Prepared By:

AdU Civil Engineering Faculty

 INTRODUCTION

Structural Analysis is the prediction of the performance of a given structure under

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prescribed loads and/or other external effects, such as support movements and
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temperature changes. The performance characteristics commonly of interest in the

design of structures are

(1) stresses or stress resultants, such as axial forces, shear forces, and bending
moments;

(2) deflections; and

(3) support reactions. Thus, the analysis of a structure usually involves determination of
these quantities as caused by a given loading condition.
 HISTORY OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) is generally considered to be the originator of

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the theory of structures. In his book entitled Two New Sciences, which
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was published in 1638, Galileo analyzed the failure of some simple

structures, including cantilever beams.

Following Galileo’s pioneering work, the knowledge of structural

mechanics advanced at a rapid pace in the second half of the
seventeenth century and into the eighteenth century. Among the
notable investigators of that period were Robert Hooke (1635–1703),
who developed the law of linear relationships between the force and
deformation of materials (Hooke’s law);
 HISTORY OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727), who formulated

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the laws of motion and developed calculus;

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John Bernoulli (1667–1748), who formulated the

principle of virtual work;

Leonhard Euler (1707–1783), who developed

the theory of buckling of columns
 ROLE OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS IN STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING PROJECTS

Structural engineering is the science and art of

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planning, designing, and constructing safe and economical

structures that will serve their intended purposes.
Structural analysis is an integral part of any structural
engineering project, its function being the prediction of
the performance of the proposed structure.

As this diagram indicates, the process is an

iterative one, and it generally consists of the following
steps:
 ROLE OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS IN STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING PROJECTS
1. Planning Phase
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The planning phase usually involves the establishment of

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the functional requirements of the proposed structure,

the general layout and dimensions of the structure,
consideration of the possible types of structures (e.g.,
rigid frame or truss) that may be feasible and the types
of materials to be used (e.g., structural steel or
reinforced concrete).

The outcome of this phase is usually a structural system

that meets the functional requirements and is expected
to be the most economical.
 ROLE OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS IN STRUCTURAL
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2. Preliminary Structural Design

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In the preliminary structural design phase, the sizes of

the various members of the structural system selected in
the planning phase are estimated based on approximate
analysis, past experience, and code requirements. The
member sizes thus selected are used in the next phase to
estimate the weight of the structure.
 ROLE OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS IN STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING PROJECTS
3. Estimation of Loads
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Estimation of loads involves determination of all the loads

that can be expected to act on the structure.

4. Structural Analysis

In structural analysis, the values of the loads are used to

carry out an analysis of the structure in order to determine
the stresses or stress resultants in the members and the
deflections at various points of the structure.
 ROLE OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS IN STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING PROJECTS
5. Safety and Serviceability Checks
The results of the analysis are used to determine
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whether or not the structure satisfies the safety and

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serviceability requirements of the design codes. If these

requirements are satisfied, then the design drawings and
the construction specifications are prepared, and the
construction phase begins.

6. Revised Structural Design

If the code requirements are not satisfied, then the
member sizes are revised, and phases 3 through 5 are
repeated until all the safety and serviceability
requirements are satisfied
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF STRUCTURES

Commonly used structures can be classified into five basic categories, depending on the
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type of primary stresses that may develop in their members under major design loads.
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However, it should be realized that any two or more of the basic structural types described
in the following may be combined in a single structure, such as a building or a bridge, to
meet the structure’s functional requirements.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF STRUCTURES
Tension Structures
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The members of tension structures are subjected to pure tension under the action of
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external loads. Because the tensile stress is distributed uniformly over the cross-
sectional areas of members, the material of such a structure is utilized in the most
efficient manner. Tension structures composed of flexible steel cables are frequently
employed to support bridges and long-span roofs.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF STRUCTURES
Compression Structures
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Compression structures develop mainly compressive stresses under the action of external loads.
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Two common examples of such structures are columns and arches. Columns are straight
members subjected to axially compressive loads. When a straight member is subjected to lateral
loads and/or moments in addition to axial loads, it is called a beam-column. Because
compression structures are susceptible to buckling or instability, the possibility of such a failure
should be considered in their designs; if necessary, adequate bracing must be provided to avoid
such failures.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF STRUCTURES
Trusses
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Trusses are composed of straight members connected at their ends by hinged connections
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to form a stable configuration. When the loads are applied to a truss only at the joints, its
members either elongate or shorten. Thus, the members of an ideal truss are always either
in uniform tension or in uniform compression. Real trusses are usually constructed by
connecting members to gusset plates by bolted or welded connections. Although the rigid
joints thus formed cause some bending in the members of a truss when it is loaded, in most
cases such secondary bending stresses are small, and the assumption of hinged joints
yields satisfactory designs.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF STRUCTURES
Shear Structures
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Shear structures, such as reinforced concrete shear walls, are used in multistory buildings
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to reduce lateral movements due to wind loads and earthquake excitations. Shear
structures develop mainly in plane shear, with relatively small bending stresses under the
action of external loads.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF STRUCTURES
Bending Structures
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Bending structures develop mainly bending stresses under the action of external loads. In
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some structures, the shear stresses associated with the changes in bending moments may
also be significant and should be considered in their designs. Some of the most commonly
used structures, such as beams, rigid frames, slabs, and plates, can be classified as bending
structures. A beam is a straight member that is loaded perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.