Arc215: Building Structures I: Basic Structural Elements

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Raising a new Generation of Leaders
ARC215: BUILDING STRUCTURES I
WEEK THREE
BASIC STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
Course Facilitators:
DR. I. C. EZEMA
ARC. O. O. OLAGUNJU
OCTOBER 2020
- Structural elements could be made from any BASIC STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
material – plastic, wood, steel or concrete
- However, they are categorised based on

their behaviour under load, or the type of
load that they are supporting
- A steel bar or stanchion could be used as a

beam or column, depending on its
placement
- Structural elements are therefore identified

by HOW they carry load
Basic elements include beam, column, arch, truss, cable, shell and slab/plate
2
1. BEAMS
- Used for spanning horizontal distance

- Carries load by bending and shear
- It carries gravity load and sustains lateral loading
- Depending on the structural system, they could
be used as joist, rafter, purlin, girder or lintel
- At each typical section, the beam develops the
internal forces of shear and bending moment
- They fail by excessive deflection and shear (crack)
- Reinforcements are used in concrete beams to
withstand for bending.
- Simple beams of reinforced concrete should have
an estimated depth-to-span ratio of 1:20
- While for cantilever beams, estimated ratio of 1:7
should be adequate.
3
2. ARCHES
- The idea is to develop an spanning element through

the use of only internal compression.
- They transmit loads/forces via direct compression.
- Most arches have circular profile, which works well as
long as they are reasonably thick.
- Consideration include the horizontal forces at the
base (Abutments) and the height-to-span ratio.
- They fail through shear or torsion if the height-to-
span ratio is not good enough.
- They are used in bridges, aqueducts and structures
that require longer spans or stiffer supports.
4
3. COLUMNS
- They are vertical structural members that transmit

load through axial compression
- They carry concentrated loads and also support
load bearing walls where needed.
- Depending on their position, they could be called
posts, piers or struts.
- They either fail in compressive stress by crushing
or buckling.
- Columns buckle when the slenderness ratio (l/r) is
high or due to eccentric loading, and crushes when
they are short
5
4. TRUSS BASIC STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
- They are 2- or 3-dimensional network of

bars connected by pin joints in the simple
geometry of triangles.
- All members/bars are connected by pin
supports and are therefore subjected to
axial tension or axial compression
- Interior triangulation is the basic necessity
of a truss system
- Some traditional trusses are named after
their inventor/designer
- They could be used for bridges, roof and
floor supports
- Effective depth-to-span ratio could vary
from 1:15 to 1:40
6
5. CABLES
- They are flexible structural elements stressed
in tension by transverse loads; that is, they
transmit forces by axial tension
- They have no resistance to bending, and
therefore have no predetermined geometry
- They are applied in roof structures, floors and
suspended or cable-stayed bridges
- They naturally assume the form of catenary
curve. However, it is important to consider
the sag-to-span ratio.
- Disturbing forces (wind) could induce
oscillation (or flutter/vibration). Its other
defect is deflection
7
6. SHELLS
- Shells are 3-dimensional curved surfaces that
transmit forces through membrane action
- They carry load through the strength and stiffness
of their geometry
- They are applied in domes and vaults
7. PLATES / SLABS
- They are horizontal planar elements that carry load by
bending
- They are used as floor, roof decks, paving slabs, bridge
floors or storage tank walls.
- Types: one-way spanning and two-way spanning slabs
- Their behaviour depends on the position of the
supports
8
APPROXIMATE SIZES OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
9
APPROXIMATE SIZES OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
1
A MODEL SHOWING STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
11
QUESTIONS???
AND
COMMENT!!!
THANK YOU
TYNE, Newcastle, England
2
12

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www.covenantuniversity.edu.

Raising a new Generation of Leaders

ARC215: BUILDING STRUCTURES I

- However, they are categorised based on

- A steel bar or stanchion could be used as a

- Structural elements are therefore identified

- Used for spanning horizontal distance

- The idea is to develop an spanning element through

- They are vertical structural members that transmit

- They are 2- or 3-dimensional network of

TYNE, Newcastle, England

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