ASPIRE ENGENIUS

E B 0 2 5 TOPIC 3 .0

BASIC civil
ENGINEERING
structures
3.1 Introduction to structural analysis
and design
3.2 Structural element analysis
3.3 Beam design
3.4 Column design
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

3.1 Introduction to structural analysis and design

1. Dead load and imposed load are the main loads act on civil engineering project.
a) State the definition of dead load and imposed load [4 marks]

b) Give two example of dead load and imposed load. State the load partial safety factor (γf)
used in calculating the design load for both of the load. [6 marks]

2. A typical building can be constructed from four main structural elements. These elements are
interconnected to each other in supporting the design load. Choose any two of the main structural
elements and explain their functions. [3 marks]

3. Physical and environmental forces are the two main forces acting on civil engineering
structures. With the aid of diagrams, define and give two (2) examples for the following loads.
(a) Dead load [3 marks]
(b) Imposed load [3 marks]

4. Main load acting on civil engineering projects include dead and imposed loads.

Referring to the Figure 1:

(a) State the differences between dead and imposed loads. [4 marks]
(b) Indicate by arrows the six loads that may act on structure of the building with state whether
these forces are dead or imposed loads. [6 marks]

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

5. (a) List four (4) major building elements. [2 marks]

(b) Explain the function of each major element in 5 (a). [2 marks]
(c) With the aid of sketches, identify the load path of a building. [2 marks]

6. FIGURE 1 shows a typical building structure

FIGURE 1

Referring to the FIGURE 1:

a) Identify and show six structural elements of the building. [6 marks]

(UPS II SESI 2013/2014)

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

3.2 Structural Element Analysis

1. FIGURE 2 shows a simply supported beam loaded with two point loads and a uniformly

distributed load.

FIGURE 2

Referring to the FIGURE 2:

a) Calculate the support reactions at A and B. [ 4 marks ]

b) Calculate the shear force at C and D. [ 2 marks ]

c) Calculate the bending moment at C and D. [ 2 marks ]

d) Sketch the shear force and bending moment diagrams. [ 2 marks ]

(UPS II SESI 2014/2015)

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

2. FIGURE 4 shows a roof truss loaded with three point loads.

FIGURE 4

Referring to the FIGURE 4:

a) Calculate the support reactions at A and E. [ 2 marks ]
b) Determine the forces in each member at joint E of the roof truss
[ 6 marks ]
shown above.
c) State whether the member is in compression or tension. [ 2 marks ]
(UPS II SESI 2014/2015)

3. FIGURE 3 shows a simply supported beam loaded with a uniformly distributed load and two
point loads.

FIGURE 3
Referring to the FIGURE 3:

a) Calculate the support reactions at A and B. [ 4 marks ]

b) Calculate the shear force at C and D. [ 2 marks ]
c) Calculate the bending moment at C and D. [ 2 marks ]
d) Sketch the shear force and bending moment diagrams. [ 2 marks ]
(UPS II SESI 2013/2014)

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

4. FIGURE 5 shows a roof truss loaded with five point loads.

FIGURE 5

Referring to the FIGURE 5:

a) Calculate the length of rafter AD [ 2 marks ]

b) Calculate the support reactions at A and B. [ 3 marks ]

[ 4 marks ]
c) Calculate forces in members AC and AF.

d) State whether the member in compression or tension. [ 1 marks ]

(UPS II SESI 2013/2014)

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

5. FIGURE 2 shows a simply-supported beam loaded with point loads and uniformly distributed
load.

FIGURE 2

Referring to the FIGURE 2 :

(a) Calculate the reactions at both supports. [4 marks]

(b) Calculate the shear force at A, B, C and D. [2 marks]

(c) Calculate the bending moment at points A, B, C and D. [2 marks]

(d) Sketch bending moment and shear force diagrams. [2 marks]

(UPS II SESI 2011/2012)

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

6. FIGURE 1 shows a simply-supported beam loaded with point load and uniformly distributed
load.

FIGURE 1

Referring to the FIGURE 1 :

(a) Calculate the reactions at a support A and B. [4 marks]

(b) Calculate the shear force at points A, B, C and D. [2 marks]

(c) Calculate the bending moment at points A, B, C and D. [2 marks]

(d) Sketch bending moment and shear force diagrams. [2 marks]

(UPS II Sesi 2010/2011)

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

7. FIGURE 2 shows a roof truss structure. The roof truss is supporting 3 kN loads at points A
and B, and 6 kN load at point C.

FIGURE 2

Referring to FIGURE 2 :

(a) Calculate the support reactions at A and B. [3 marks]

(b) Calculate the forces in member of the truss at joint B. [5 marks]

(c) State whether the members are in tension or in compression. [2 marks]

(UPS II Sesi 2010/2011)

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

TA027 PAPER I-PSPM II, SESI 2016/2017

1. a)

Figure 1.1

Figure 1.1 shows a simply supported beam that carries a uniformly distributed load of 12
kN/m that acts along the span of the beam and a concentrated load 20 kN at point B.

Calculate the reactions at supports A and C. [3 marks]

b)

Figure 1.2

Figure 1.2 shows a plane truss supported by a pin at A and a roller at B. The truss is
lifting a concrete block of P=100 kN at C.

i. Determine the support reactions at A and B.

[3 marks]

ii. Determine the forces in member CA and CB. Indicate whether each members is in
tension or compression.
[4 marks]

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

TA027 PAPER II-PSPM II, SESI 2016/2017

1. An 8 m span beam shown in FIGURE 2 is simply supported at both ends. The beam
carries a uniformly distributed load of 30 kN/m over the entire span, and point loads of
100 kN eact at points B and D.

Referring to FIGURE 2:

(i) Calculate the reactions at supports A and E. [ 2marks]

(ii) Determine the shear forces at points B, C and D, and draw the shear force
diagram for the beam, showing the important valued. [4 marks]

(iii) Determine the bending moments at points B, C and d (by calculation or using the
shear force diagram obtained in 1 (ii), and draw the bending moment diagram,
showing their respective values. [3 marks]

10

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AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
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TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

3.3 Beam Design

1. FIGURE 1 shows a sectional of a singly-reinforced rectangular beam having width of 280 mm

and effective depth of 490 mm. The beam is to resist an ultimate bending moment of 256 kNm
causing sagging in the beam. Given are concrete grade 30 and steel reinforcement grade 460.
(use the equation, Fcc = 0.45 fcub0.9x , z = d – 0.45x and M = Fcc · z , M = Fst · z)

Referring to FIGURE 1:
(a) Calculate the required tension steel reinforcement area. [10 marks]
(b) Determine the required number of 25 mm diameter steel reinforcement. [5 marks]

11

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

2. FIGURE 4 shows a simply supported beam and cross-section of 5m span carries a

characteristic dead load (including self-weight) of 12.7 kN/m and characteristic imposed load
of 5 kN/m. The beam size is 250 mm wide and 450 mm deep. Concrete grade C30 and high
tensile steel with characteristic strength of 460 N/mm2 are to be used for the beam.

Referring to the FIGURE 4,

(a) Write the equation of compressive force in concrete, C.
[1 mark]

(b) Write the equation of tensile force in steel reinforcement bar, T.

[1 mark]

(c) Calculate effective depth (d), if the main reinforcement 16 mm diameter lay in one line, link
10 mm diameter and concrete cover 30 mm.
[2 marks]

(d) Calculate the design load and ultimate moment at the mid span of the beam.
[3 marks]

(e) If the depth of neutral axis, x = 71.74 mm, calculate the required area of the 16 mm
diameter steel reinforcement.
[3 marks]

12

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 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

3. FIGURE 1 shows the cross-section of a simply supported beam of 6 m span carries a

uniformly distributed design load of 18 kN/m. The beam dimension are 250 mm width and
450 mm depth. The shear reinforcement diameter and nominal cover are 12 mm and 30 mm
respectively. Concrete grade C30 and the characteristic strength of steel reinforcement is
460 N/mm2. The main reinforcement used is 16 mm.

Referring to the FIGURE 1:

(a) Calculate the area of steel required. [10 marks]

(b) Calculate the numbers of steel to be provided and draw the steel reinforcement in beam
cross-section. [5 marks]

4. FIGURE 2 shows cross sectional area of a singly-reinforced beam 300 mm wide (b) and 800
mm effective depth (d). The tension reinforcement provided is 4T25. Given the ultimate
bending moment is 1198.08 kNm, concrete grade, fcu = 40 N/mm2 and steel reinforcement
grade, fy = 460 N/mm2.

13

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AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

Referring to FIGURE 2:
(a) Draw the rectangular stress block by labelling the important details.
[5 marks]
(b) Determine the depth of neutral axis, x.
[5 marks]

(c) Check whether the beam is adequate to sustain an ultimate bending moment of 600 kNm.
[5 marks]

5. FIGURE 2 shows a simply supported beam of 5m span with a cross-section of 200 mm x 300
mm. It carries a uniformly distributed design load of 8 kN/m. The beam is reinforced with
characteristic strength of 460 N/mm2 reinforcement and 16 mm diameter. The diameter of shear
reinforcement is 10 mm while the nominal cover is 30 mm. Concrete used is grade C30.

Referring to FIGURE 2:
(i) Calculate the maximum bending moment of the beam. [3 marks]

(ii) Caluclate the required area of reinforcement. [4 marks]

(iii) Determine the number of reinforcement required and draw the arrangement of steel
reinforcement in the cross-section of the beam. [4 marks]

14

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

6. (c) FIGURE 1 shows the deformation of a simply supported beam subjected to loads. Briefly
explain the consequences of strains in the upper and lower parts of the beam, and the function of
the reinforcing steel. [6 marks]

7. A simply supported beam has a rectangular cross section of size 250 mm width and 450 mm
depth together with its stress and force diagram are shown in FIGURE 4. The beam is made of
concrete grade C30 and the characteristic strength of high yield steel is 460 N/mm2.

(a) Determine the effective depth, d if the diameter of main reinforcement is 20 mm, the diameter
of shear reinforcement is 10 mm and the thickness of concrete cover is 30 mm. [2 marks]

(b) State the formula of compressive force, FCC, formula of tensile force, FST and formula of
lever arm, z. [3 marks]

(c) If the beam carries the design moment of 130 kNm and neutral axis depth, x = 124 mm,
determine the area and number of reinforcement required. [3 marks]

15

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

3.4 Column Design

1. (a) Differentiate between braced and unbraced columns. [4 marks]

(b) A short column of 250 mm square is axially loaded with dead load 400 kN and an
imposed load of 275 kN. The characteristic strength of reinforcement steel is 250 N/mm2
and concrete grade is C30. The load factors for dead load and imposed load are 1.4 and
1.6 respectively.

Given, N = 0.4 fCU AC + 0.8 fy ASC

(i) Calculate the design load of the column. [2 marks]

(ii) Using the given formula, determine the area of steel reinforcement required
for the column. [4 marks]

(c) A column requires a minimum of four reinforcement bars. If the available sizes of
reinforcement are 16 mm , 20 mm and 25 mm,

(i) Determine the minimum diameter of the reinforcement required. Use the area
of steel reinforcement in 2 (b) (ii). [3 marks]

(ii) Draw the steel reinforcement in column cross-section. [2 marks]

2. An axially loaded short braced column 250 mm x 250 mm is reinforced with 6T20. The materials
used are grade 30 concrete and grade 460 reinforcement.

Based on the design ultimate axial load equation in BS 8110 below:

Given, N = 0.4 fCU AC + 0.8 fy ASC

(a) Calculte the ultimate axial load that can be supported by the column. [8 marks]

(b) Recalculate the steel area if the column sie is 300 mm x 300 mm using the ultimate axial load
obtained in 2 (a). [7 marks]

16

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AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

3. A 375 mm square axially loaded column is designed to have an ultimate axial load (N) of 2000
kN. The strength of materials to be used are 30 N/mm2 for concrete (fCU) and 460 N/mm2 for
steel reinforcement (fy).

By considering the following equation:

Given, N = 0.4 fCU AC + 0.8 fy ASC

(a) Calculate the area of steel reinforcement (ASC) required to sustain the ultimate axial load
(N). [7 marks]

(b) Calculate a new ultimate axial load (N) of the column if the project engineer requires
the strength of concrete to be increased to 50 N/mm2 and using 4T16 as steel
reinforcement. The strength of steel reinforcement is still the same. [8 marks]

4. Columns are important elements in a building frame.

(a) Describe braced and unbraced column. [3 marks]

(b) Explain the failure modes of short and slender columns. [3 marks]

(c) A square column of 250 mm x 250 mm is to carry an ultimate axial load of 1000 kN.
Given:
fCU = 30 N/mm2
fY = 460 N/mm2
Concrete cover = 25 mm
Minimum diameter of bar = 10 mm

i. Calculate the area of steel required. [4 marks]

ii. Determine the number of steel bars required and sketch the reinforcement
details. [5 marks]

17

PREPARED BY :
AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

5. (a) (i) Compare between short and slender reinforced concrete columns from the
point of view of failure mechanism and column slenderness ratio.
[2 marks]

(ii) Identify whether columns in FIGURES 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 are braced or
unbraced columns. [3 marks]

(b) (i) A short column with cross sectional of 400 mm x 400 mm was designed using
concrete with fCU = 30 N/mm2 and eight 25 mm diameter bars with fy = 460
N/mm2 to carry an ultimate axial load given by:

N = 0.4 fCU AC + 0.8 fy ASC

Compute the ultimate axial load that can be carried by the column using
the above expression. [4 marks]

18

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AMIRAH JALALUDDIN
 ASPIRE
TOPIC 3 : BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
ENGENIUS

(ii) It was later decided that the column size would be reduced to 350 mm x
350 mm. The design will still use the same steel strength as before but the
concrete strength will be increased to fCU = 40 N/mm2.

Determine the area of reinforcement required by this new column to carry

the same ultimate axial load as the original column. Select the required
number of bars (25 mm diameter). Show your proposed arrangement of
reinforcement in a neat sketch of the cross-section of the new column.
[6 marks]

19

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AMIRAH JALALUDDIN