Construction Technology- Structural Principles

Construction Technology- Structural Principles

1. Structure: Size and Use

   • Load Bearing Structures
     • Skeletal Frame Strutures
       • Long Span/ Portal frame structures
   • Structure Forms relates to:
     • - Size
       • - Building form
         • Interior space and volume

2. Load and Loading

   • Static or 'Dead' Loads:
     • Load related to the actual construction
       • Structure and other building elements
         • All fixed and permenant components and elements

3. Dead loads, also known as permanent or static loads, are those predominately associated with the weight of the structure itself, and as such remain stationary and relatively constant over time. Dead loads may include the weight of any structural elements, permanent non-structural partitions, immovable fixtures such as plasterboard, built in cupboards etc..

   • Characteristics of 'Dead' loads:
     • Static
       • General 'Permanent'
         • Non-variable
           • 'Dead' loading conditions do not vary from day to day operations

4. Live loads

   • Load related to the activity and function within the people this could relate to people, furniture or equipment
   • Characteristics of 'Live' Loads
     • The load is dynamic which is generally 'variable' due to building activites and exposure variations in loading and load concentration/distribution occur day to day, daytime to evening seasonally

5. Environmental loads:

   • Loads related to the exterior environment
     • Wind, Accumulated rain, Snow
       • This can mean buildings experience window issues at height: 51 story building which is 14.2 metres wide at the base, collapse criteria now includes rigid body overturning
         • Serviceability criteria now includes top floor sway acceleration, Collapse criteria now includes rigid body overturning

6. Summary of Load Types:

   • DEAD LOADS
     • Self-weight, Static/ relatively permanent
   • LIVE LOADS
     • Variable, due to activity, Dynamic/ ever-changing
   • ENVIRONMENTAL LOADS
     • Variable, due to climate and environmental conditions, Dynamic and ever changing
       • Imposed load is defined as the load that is applied to the structure which is not permanent and can be variable