General Structures Flashcards
(214 cards)
PROs and CONs of long span steel trusses.
PROs:
1 - large column free spaces
2 - prefabricated members reduce construction time and result in cost savings
3 - mechanical systems can be located in the open wedding
4 - high strength to weight ratio.
CONs:
1 - a lack of redundancy can increase the risk of failure
2 - large prefabricated members may post transportation difficulties
3 - member components will expand and contract with subject temperature changes
4 - deflection, the limited in comparison with the beam is usually due to a high standard death ratio or deformation or slippage of the member joins the flexion must be limited to avoid ponding
Gusset Plate Steel Truss Connection
Normally 3/8” or 1/2” thick it is used to allow a bolted or welded connection of truss members. Connectors are located on gage lines that intersect at theoretical panel points. A minimum of two bolts are required at each member. Center-to-Center spacing of holes and the spacing to the edges of plate must follow specified dimensions that are based on the connector diameter and the thickness of the plate.

At what location does failure usually occur in long span structures?
At the connections.
A lack of redundancy in the connections may result in progressive failure of the entire structure. It is advisable to incorporate stronger connections or more conservative designs at the calculated points of initial failure in addition to the code requirements. Shear is critical at the supports, so connections of the components being connected must have sufficient area.
Centroid
Also called the center of gravity.

In equations, this is the point at which the cross-section is considered to be concentrated. If a section has an axis of symmetry, this axis will pass through the center of gravity. Most structural calculations are based on cross-section properties that use axes passing through the centroid as the axis of reference.
Moment of Inertia (I)
Stiffness: the property of the cross-section of a member that enables it to resist deflection. It is a rating based on the cross-section of a material, which can be computed with the equation for deflection by substituting (I) for _/_ (deflection).
For example, /_ = PL3/48EI can be changed to I = PL3 / 48E/_
Where:
P = load
L = length
E = elasticity (29,000 Ksi for A36 steel)
For rectangular sections, Ix = Bd3/12 moment of Inertia is measured in in4.

Why does some degree of deflection occur in beams?
It occurs because a beam must develop internal resistance equal to the external force in order to achieve equilibrium. This allowable beam deflection is usually determined by code to prevent finishes from being damaged or cracked and is typically limited to 1/360 of span for live loads on roofs and floors, or 1/240 of span for dead load plus live load
Shear (V)
An action that occurs when two loads, parallel and opposite in sense, act on a body and cause the particles within the body to slide past one another. A shear diagram describes what the beam is doing in terms of sheer stress, its maximum shear capacity, and where the shear value of zero occurs (the point of maximum moment). The amount of maximum shear (from the shear diagram) along with the allowable shear stress of the material, determine the required area of the member necessary to resist shear.
Crystal Palace
Designed by Joseph Paxton for the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. It is one of the first buildings made of cast iron, glass panels and prefabricated components. This building is the precedent for most high-tech architecture which uses off-the-shelf, pre-manufactured components.
What criteria should an architect consider when choosing a structural system?
1 - Economy, materials and labor.
2 - Structural requirements, load resistance.
3 - Construction feasibility.
4 - Occupancy and building program.
5 - Relationships to other building systems such as HVAC.
6 - Construction schedule.
7 - Aesthetics and integration with building details.
8 - Cultural impact, material selection, etc.
Typically used for structural spanning units, and most effective where limited thickness is available are both characteristics of:
A - A Bond Beam
B - Pre-stressed Concrete
C - Lightweight Concrete
D - Post-Tensioned Concrete
B - Pre-Stressed Concrete
High-strength steel cables are placed in tension inside the concrete member either before or after curing. The internal compressive stress or reverse bending stress (seen as camber), components for anticipated loads as well as the weight of the member itself. When proper compressive stress is achieved, the major advantage is the reduction of tension cracking. It has longer spanning and heavier load-carrying capacity than ordinary reinforced concrete of the same thickness and depth.
A bond beam is a construction technique used to horizontally reinforce a course of a concrete masonry unit wall with steel rebar and concrete.
Lightweight Concrete can have superior thermal insulation and fire protective qualities, but it usually results in lower strength.
Post-tensioned concrete is a specific type of pre-stressing where reinforcing steel cable strands are placed in tension after the concrete has cured. A sleeve separates the strands from the concrete.
Which materials have the greatest long-term deflection?
Steel, Wood, Glass, Reinforced Concrete.
A - Steel and Wood
B - Steel and Reinforced Concrete
C - Wood and Glass
D - Wood and Reinforced Concrete
D - Wood and Reinforced Concrete
Wood will deflect 50% more than its initial deflection due in part to a decrease in moisture content.
Reinforced concrete continues to deflect for 2-5 years. Final deflection may be as much as 2.5 to 3 times greater than the initial deflection.
Deflection is controllable, to a degree, by proper detailing. Long-term deflection and shrinkage is known as creep.
Live Load
All loads other than dead loads that can occur in a structure, that is, all non-permanent, movable loads. Temporary, often dynamic loads (including rain, snow and ice) imposed by people, furniture, machines, equipment (elevators) and other non-structural elements.
Commonly referred to as the gravity loads on floor and roof surfaces. With respect to roofs it is considered a uniformly distributed load and with respect to floors it represents the probable effects due to occupancy.
Building codes provide minimum design requirements for different occupancies.
In a structural member, the result of the interaction between the concrete and the steel reinforcing bars is known as:
A - Anchorage
B - Bond Stress
C - Resistance
D - Embedment
B - Bond Stress
In the design of reinforced concrete structural members, strength is achieved by bond stress development. This stress occurs in the reinforcing bars when the member is subjected to a load. Reinforcing bars are required to resist the pull-out tension force. Strength is achieved through the bond between the steel and the concrete. The surface of the reinforcing bars are formed to have a pattern of deformations, which are governed by ASTM specifications. These ridges cause a mechanical interlocking of the concrete and steel.
Composite Beam
A reinforced concrete slab supported by a steel member that acts as a single structural unit to resist bending stresses. The concrete slab acts as the top flange and resist the compressive bending stress. The bond between the materials is made by welding steel studs to the top of the beam which creates a shear transfer between them.
Much stiffer than a non-composite beam, however, composite beams maybe shallow and deflection should be checked.
What building incorporated the concept of a suspension bridge?
The Federal Reserve Bank Building in Minneapolis
Designed by Gunnar Birkerts. Two sets of steel cables in the shape of a catenary curve support the vertical load of the building and are anchored to two concrete towers. In addition, a truss in compression is used between the towers to resist inward thrust.
Another building that incorporates suspension is the Hong-Kong Shanghai Bank by Sir Norman Foster. In this building, Foster ‘hangs’ the loads by trusses that transfer the load to four large trussed masts at the corners.
John A. Roebling is most notable for his design of the:
A - Brooklyn Bridge
B - Empire State Building
C - U.S. Capitol
D - Flatiron Building
A - Brooklyn Bridge
A suspension bridge spanning the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn, begun in 1868. Assisted by his son Washington Augustus Roebling, he pioneered the idea of using steel wire instead of iron for suspension and cables.
The Empire State Building in New York City, 1930-32, is by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon.
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C., 1793, is by Dr. William Thornton; though there have been significant modifications and additions by others.
The Flatiron Building is in lower Manhattan, New York, 1902, is by Daniel Burnham.
With regard to structural design, the weight of the structure including any permanent equipment is considered a:
A - Live Load
B - Dead Load
C - Working Load
D - Vertical Load
B - Dead Load
The gravity load is always applied vertically and is the sum of all permanent structural and nonstructural components of the building. It is generally considered an advantage in resisting overturning moment and sliding due to wind pressure.
However, it is a disadvantage during an earthquake because dead load or mass is directly proportional to the lateral seismic force. In the design of beams, the weight of the beam itself is considered a uniformly distributed dead load.
The structure of a building is designed to resist:
A - Stess
B - Strain
C - Deformation
D - Force
D - Force
These actions cause a push or pull on a body which resists by changing shape or deforming. Force includes magnitude, point of application, and line of action (the vector quantity). Force is measured in either kips or pounds (1000 lbs. = 1 kip).
Load is an applied external force.
Stress is an internal resistance per unit area to an external load.
Where does the maximum horizontal shear stress occur in steel and wood beams?
In steel the maximum horizontal shear stress (V) occurs at the neutral axis at the closest point to the supports.
In wood, shear is spread throughout the beam. The greatest amount of sheer is in the center of the beam at the supports.
Horizontal shear will always occur with vertical shear. In both wood and steel, vertical and horizontal shear are equal in magnitude and perpendicular to each other.
Define the following:
1 - Bearing Wall
2 - Non-bearing Wall
1 - A compression element used to support a load in addition to its own weight. It may be solid, comprised of a framework, or have openings for doors and windows provided they are sufficiently braced. Load-bearing walls are also used as shear walls, that is, to resist horizontal forces in their own plane, in addition to vertical forces.
2 - This element supports only its own weight with no other vertical loading, such as a simple partition. By code, it supports less than 200 lbs. per linear foot in concrete construction and less than 100 lbs. per linear foot in wood construction. In order to resist forces perpendicular to the plane, additional transverse bracing is necessary, for example, spreading at the base, stiffening with ribs, or external bracing.
A load is any effect that causes resistance in a structure, name the various types of loads that a building must resist.
1 - Dead Loads: Permanent Gravity Loads.
2 - Live Loads: Use and occupancy loads
3 - Combination: Dead load and live load plus snow, wind, or seismic loads.
4 - Vertical & Lateral Loads: Gravity and horizontal loads such as wind or seismic forces.
5 - Dynamic Loads: Often called impact loads. The result of elevators, cars, moving equipment, etc.
6 - Hydrostatic Pressure: Soil and water.
7 - Thermal Loads: Expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature.
Where does one obtain live load values for different buildings?
What are some typical values?
Live loads are specified in model codes and based on building Occupancy or Use. Dead loads are obtained from manufacturer’s literature or from construction manuals that give weights and densities of different materials, components , or assemblies.
Typical uniformly distributed live loads:
Residential, classrooms, hospital rooms - 40 psf
Offices, projection and control rooms - 50 psf
Fixed seating assembly areas, labs, reading rooms - 60 psf
Bowling alleys, marquees - 75 psf
Lobbies, moveable seating, balconies, corridors, gyms, ballrooms, fire-escapes - 100 psf
Wholesale stores, light manufacturing - 125 psf
Library stacks - 150 psf
When there is Occupancy or Use change in an existing building (especially in the rehabilitation of historic buildings) the live load capability of the building must be checked. This is done to ensure that the existing structure will satisfy the new live load requirements.
The allowable design stresses for visually graded lumber are based on what characteristics?
The species of wood, it’s grade, size, use, and it’s direction of loading.
The most common species of wood in construction are Southern Pine and Douglas Fir Larch. These species come in different grades such as (Select Structural, No.1, No.2, No.3, etc.)
The size of wood refers to the dimensions such as 2x4 or 2x12.
The use of the lumber depends on its classification (boards, dimension, timbers).
The direction of loading refers to the direction of the load with respect to the material. A wood member could be subjected to shear (Fv), and bending stresses (Fb) or tension (Ft) and compression (Fc) (parallel or perpendicular to the grain).
With regard to their structural characteristics, what is the relationship between the hinges and points of contraflexure?
1 - Both hinges and points of contraflexure are points of zero moment.
2 - A point of contraflexure may move as loading conditions change.
3 - A hinge is built into the structure and cannot move. It is located by the designer and must be detailed to act as a hinge.





























































































































































