MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

CIV 2101 Theory of Structures I (3 CU)

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Theory of Structures I

Lecture # 01

Introduction to Theory of Structures

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 What is a structure?
It comes from a Latin word “Struere” – anything that is built.
Engineering structure – a connected system of members constructed to
support or transfer forces and to safely withstand the loads applied to it.
The study of structures (Structural Engineering) involves the analysis of
the forces and stresses occurring within a structure, the design of
suitable components to cater for such forces and stresses and the
understanding of the behavior of the structure under load i.e. is the science
and art of planning, designing and constructing of safe and economical structures that will serve their
intended purposes

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Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Defining Theory of Structures
Theory of structures: based to a large extent upon the principles of
statics and mechanics of materials.
• Equilibrium equations: structural analysis
• Geometrical equations: ensure fitting of structural parts together before and after deformation
• Material properties: stress-strain relationship- structural design

A good grasp of the theory of structures i.e. the theoretical basis by

which strength, stiffness and stability of structures can be understood is
fundamental to a structural engineer.
• Strength – measure of ability/capacity to take load without breaking
• Stiffness – measure of resistance to excessive deformation
• Stability – ability to maintain its original configuration after load application i.e. ability to prevent collapse

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Classification of structural theories
Statics and Dynamics: Ordinary structures are usually designed under
static loads. Live loads such as vehicular loads are assumed to be
concentrated static load systems.
Plane and space: Analysis considering 2-D and 3-D effects of loads
respectively
Linear and Non-linear: Linear analysis undertaken considering elastic
nature of materials and small deformations. Whereas non-linear
analysis takes into account the inelastic nature of materials and
significant deformation during and after load application.
Statically determinate and indeterminate: SD means determination
of the unknowns is achieved by equilibrium equations whereas SI
require equation of conditions or compatibility.
Forces and displacement: the main objective of structural analysis is
to determine the forces and displacements in the structure.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Introduction
 Fundamentals of Structural Analysis
Structural analysis: Plays an important role in structural engineering
projects- predicts the performance of the proposed structure.
Any structural engineering project will
consist of two phases i.e. Design phase
and construction phase (construction & Sup)
Design phase: Complete structural Design
will consist of the following 5 stages:
1. Developing a general layout (Concept & Prelim design)
2. Load estimation
3. Analysis (Structural and Stress)
4. Selection of Elements (Design)
5. Drawing and Detailing

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Classification of Structures
The selection of the type of structure is dependent upon the primary
stresses developed in the members under design load.
Commonly used type of structures are categorized into five (5)
 Tension structures: these are subjected to pure tension under the action of external
loads hence must be designed to sustain considerable tensile forces e.g. cables and tents
 Compression structures: these develop mainly compressive stresses under the
action of external loads e.g. columns and arches.
 Trusses: these are either in uniform tension or compression
 Shear structures: these develop mainly in-plane shear with relatively small
bending stresses under the action of external loads e.g. RC shear walls
 Bending structures: these develop mainly bending stresses under the action of
external loads. In some cases, the shear stresses associated with changes in bending
moments may be significant and must be considered in their design e.g. beams, slabs,
rigid frames and plates.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Loads on Structures
Permanent Loads: Gravity or dead loads - act in a fixed position and are
permanent on the structure
Variable Loads:
 Live loads – Loads of varying magnitudes and/or positions arising from
the use of the structure
 Environmental loads –
- Wind loads
- Thermal loads
- Snow loads
- Seismic or Earthquake loads
Other Loads
 Hydrostatic and soil pressures

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Structural elements and their Behavior
Beam: Beams may be simply-supported, continuous or cantilevered, as
shown in the Figure below. They are subjected to bending and shear under load,
and the deformations under loading are shown by broken lines. Beams may be
of timber, steel, reinforced or prestressed concrete

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Structural elements and their Behavior
Slab: Slabs span horizontally between supports and may be simply supported,
continuous or cantilevered. But unlike beams, which are usually narrow compared with
their depth, slabs are usually wide and relatively shallow. Experience bending too.
 A slab is normally rectangular/square in plan and either of reinforced or
prestressed concrete.
 Solid (spans 1-9m); Ribbed (8-12m)
 One-way spanning slabs - supported by walls on opposite sides
 Two-way spanning slabs - supported by walls on all four sides.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Structural elements and their Behavior
Columns: Columns (or ‘pillars’ or ‘posts’) are vertical and support axial
loads, thus they experience compression. If a column is slender or supports a
nonsymmetrical arrangement of beams, it will also experience bending. They
are made of concrete, masonry and steel.
Walls: Walls are vertical and are primarily subjected to compression but may
also experience bending. Example is a retaining wall hold back earth or water
and designed to withstand bending caused by horizontal forces.
They are made of concrete, masonry and steel.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Structural elements and their Behavior
Foundations: Foundation transfers load from structure safely into the
ground. The various types include;
 A strip foundation - provides a continuous support to loadbearing external
walls.
 A pad foundation - provides a load-spreading support to a column.
 A raft foundation - takes up the whole plan area under a building. Used in
situations where the alternative would be a large number of strip and/or pad
foundations in a relatively small space.
 Piled foundation - these are columns in the ground which transmit the
building’s loads safely to a stronger stratum. They are used where the
ground has low strength and/or the building is very heavy.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Structural elements and their Behavior
Foundations: Foundation transfers load from structure safely into the
ground.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Structural elements and their Behavior
Arches: Arches transmit large horizontal thrusts into their supports, unless
horizontal ties are used at the base of the arch. It is an element in compression
throughout thus materials such concrete and masonry (weak in tension) when
used can span considerable distances.

Trusses: A truss is a two- or three-dimensional framework and is designed on

the basis that each ‘member’ or component of the framework is in either pure
tension or pure compression and does not experience bending. Trusses are often
used in pitched roof construction and bridge construction

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Structural elements and their Behavior
Trusses: A truss is a two- or three-dimensional framework in either pure
tension or compression.
 Timber trusses - used in domestic construction
 Steel trusses - for the larger roof spans required in industrial or commercial
buildings
 Lattice girders – for long spans used in bridges or industrial construction

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Structural elements and their Behavior
Portal Frames: A portal frame is a rigid framework comprising two columns
supporting rafters. The rafters may be horizontal or, more usually, inclined to
support a pitched roof. Portal frames are usually of steel but may be of precast
concrete. They are usually used in large single-storey structures such as
warehouses or out-of-town retail sheds.

Eng.
Eng. Tony
Malek Meri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Structural elements and their Behavior
Cable-stayed structures : These are usually bridges. The span is supported
from above at certain points by cables which pass over supporting vertical
masts and horizontal outriggers to a point in the ground where they are firmly
anchored. The cables are in tension and must be designed to sustain
considerable tensile forces.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction
 Support Systems
 These are attach structures to the ground- restricting movement due to applied loads

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Introduction

THE END

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda