Common structural members in a building

In this civil engineering article, you will get detail information on different types of structural members in a building.

Beam: Beam stands for a flexure member of the structure. It is exposed to transverse loading like vertical loads, and gravity loads. With these loads, shear and bending are formed inside the beam. Beams belong to horizontal structural members to bear a load successfully.

Beam is generally applied for withstanding vertical loads, shear forces and bending moments.

Columns: A long vertical member that mostly undergoes compressive loads & buckling loads is known as column. Columns stand for vertical, structural members of a structure. They transmit load from beams to footings. Columns are mostly utilized to support beams or arches on which the upper sections of walls or ceilings rest.

Strut: Strut is a compressive member of a structure. This structural member is driven from opposite ends. The purpose of a strut is to withstand compression.

Ties: A tie stands for a structural member that is extended from opposite ends. A tie mainly deals with tension.

Beam-Column: A structural member that is exposed to compression and flexure is known as beam column.

Grid: A group of beams which overlap each other at right angles and exposed to vertical loads is known as grid.

Cables and Arches: Cables are normally suspended at their ends and are granted to sag. The forces then turn to pure tension and are headed along the axis of the cable. Arches have the similarity with cables apart from they are inverted. They bear compressive loads which are directed along the axis of the arch.

Plates and Slabs: Plates belong to three dimensional flat structural components generally constructed with metal which are frequently utilized in floors and roofs of structures. Slabs are identical to plates apart from that they are normally constructed with concrete.



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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Some best software for structural analysis and design

Now-a-days, lots of software emerge in the market to design, analyze and develop large projects rapidly. The 3D integrated structural design and analysis software become very popular amid structural designers.

These simplified structural analysis and design software are applied to increase productivity. These software facilitate the structural modeling and load analyzing more consistent and well organized, as a result the time and effort are curtailed significantly for finite element analysis.


These design/analysis software comprise of some exclusive features which range from analysis of diversified profile of structural components, modeling structure of different materials, outputting analysis and graphical files, and examining geometrical errors. Given below, the detail lists of five best software for Civil and Structural Engineering.

Analysis & Design:

STAAD Pro: It belongs to a structural design and analysis tool that is treated as the best structural analysis software for worldwide structural engineers. It is very user-friendly and contains an extensive range of essential tools essential for executing an analytical process on several structures.

STAAD Pro is further integrated with a series of other Bentley products. The models produced with STAAD Pro can be imported to OpenSTAAD in order to make the models transmittable to other third-party tools.

SAFE: This software is frequently applied in designing foundation slab systems and concrete floors. SAFE is a comprehensive package that integrated all the features of engineering design process ranging from generating layout to detail drawing production in a single, intuitive environment.

It facilitates highly advanced local appraisal of foundation systems inside greater structures and imports files from CAD, ETABS, and SAP2000.

Given below, some of the other significant advantages of the software :

1. Extensive lists of templates to swiftly set up a model
2. Post-tensioning
3. Support conditions and loadings

RISA: It is another leading 3D analysis and design tool for developing general structures like buildings, bridges, arenas, industrial structures, crane rails, and more.

It is rapid, productive and reliable. It contains an insightful interface that combines with several other products like RISAFloor and RISA Foundation. It comprises of the newest steel, cold-formed steel, concrete, aluminum, masonry and timber design codes. It consecutively offers the tools which are required to manage the multi-material projects without any difficulty.

3D Environment:

Navisworks: The design, engineering and construction management professionals use this software to get brief understanding of the project and improve the productivity and quality. It facilitates the users to open, combine, review and distribute Detailed 3D Design models in different file formats. It allows the users to import all file formats and integrate all the files to generate a model.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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EngiSSol 2.0 is a useful software for structural analysis

EngiSSol has developed 2D Frame Analysis Dynamic Edition. This construction program applies improved finite elements (beam elements) with the purpose of carrying out static and dynamic analysis of beams, frames and trusses.

It is very recognized due to it’s simple interface and smooth customization.

Analysis features:

• Employs exceedingly flexible, general, finite element method
• Perform static and dynamic analysis of multi span beams, 2D trusses and 2D frames
• Modal analysis and eigen values estimation
• User controlled damping coefficient
• Mode superposition method useful for making estimation of the dynamic response
• Automatic formation of constant mass matrix (Engissols patent)

• Completely customized multi-step dynamic analysis
• User controlled step and time parameters
• Definition of time-dependent loading on elements and nodes
• Infinite number of Nodes and Beams

• 3 Degrees of freedom per Node, 6 per Beam
• Compatible with all leading measure units
• Different types of boundary conditions (fixed, rollers, etc. )
• Translational and rotational spring supports
• Initial displacement and speed conditions

• Exceedingly easy model formation. It is not necessary to initially specify nodes and then elements, nodes are created automatically
• Consideration of thermal loads

Click on the following link to download the demo version Www.Cesdb.Com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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AmQuake – A powerful software for masonry building analysis

Cervenka Consulting Ltd has developed AmQuake, the useful software for earthquake engineering.

With the use of this program, the engineers will be able to create the design of safe masonry buildings in the seismic regions of Europe. This formation was supported with the introduction of Eurocode 6 and 8 in Europe. These standards become compulsory in the European Union that commences from March 2010, and they employ strong rules for masonry buildings in seismic regions. By applying pushover analysis and the corresponding frame method to examine the seismic safety of masonry buildings in a graphical user-friendly environment.

Demo version is automatically incorporated in the program. The unregistered / unpaid version of the program automatically functions in the demo mode.

The demo mode is restricted to 10 frame elements. This limitation does not include the examples provided in the installation.

The software contains the following features :-

• Brick choice - Choose your masonry unit out of the catalogue of Wienerberger products
• CAD building floor plan is directly imported through DXF
• Seismic assessment is done with pushover analysis
• It adheres to Eurocode 2, 6, and 8
• It is compatible with 11 European versions and translated into 14 languages
• To download the software, click on the following link Www.Cesdb.Com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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KaderColumn – A useful construction program for column analysis

KaderColumn is a powerful construction program that is created for reinforced concrete tied short columns.

It can be used to create the designs of columns based on up to eleven cases of loading comprising of axial load and bending moment implemented about the maximum principle axis.

The program allows to build up the column strength interaction diagram (Bending moment-Axial load curve) out of the input data of the cross-section and verify whether all input cases of loading are situated inside the design curve. If the input data of the cross-section is insufficient, the program enhances them to commence from the Min. Roh to the cross-sectional dimensions unless all input cases of loading remain inside the design curve. The program provides proposition for setting ties properly and draws them.

Features:

• It is very user-friendly and short.
• It computes and draws the column strength interaction diagram toward a reinforced concrete tied short column having a rectangular (containing rebars at two sides only or at all four sides), square or circular section and depending on axial load and bending moment around the max. principle axis of its cross-section.

• Up to eleven cases of loads (axial load and bending moment) are permissible. The program examines all these cases which should remain inside the column interaction diagram.
• It designs the section and draws by organizing ties in an efficient manner.
• The user will be capable of rectifying the section dimensions, the min. and max. ratio of reinforcement and some other parameters for obtaining the rational section from his point of view.

• The user will be able to save and open the input data file that is already saved by the program.
• The program employs the ultimate strength method for design and abides by the exact ACI 318-02 Code requirements.

To download this construction program, visit the developer’s website www.cadkad.com

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Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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ConSteel – A powerful structural Analysis software for steel & composite structures

ConSteel Solutions has developed ConSteel with the support of some renowned structural scientists, engineers and programmers. It is a powerful software for analyzing any structure efficiently. It is primarily used for the construction of steel and composite structures.

It is suitable for all the stages of the design process ranging from modeling; integrated analysis and standard design; brief inspection of cross-sections and structural joints; flexible documentation. For the purpose of making analysis and design, ConSteel employs the latest techniques concerning the modern structural standards which deal with the 3D structural model as a whole throughout the entire process. The user-friendly interface among ConSteel and Tekla Structures, ConSteel and StruCad facilitates the user to export the full designed model together with the placed joints and considerably minimize the detailing costs.

The most updated version is ConSteel 11 that provides efficient analysis and design solution for structural engineers with significant enhancements for collaboration.

The restructured seismic analysis tool creates huge scopes for structural engineers to accomplish apparent and overall seismic calculation. The completely new csPI interface makes the structural modeling process more improved.

A 30-dasy free trial version is available for the users. Just click on the following link to download the trial version www.consteelsoftware.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Some useful design and analysis software for engineers

This construction video provides the detailed lists of most recognized design and analysis software for Civil Engineering.

The lists include the following :-

Bentley Staad Pro – It is used for 3d structural analysis and design. With it, one can design different types of structures as well as distribute synchronized model data efficiently with the whole design team.

For more information, visit www.bentley.com

SAP 2000 – It offers composite solution for structural analysis and design with its advanced analytical methods. Use this software to generate structural models quickly and intuitively devoid of long learning curve delays.

For more information, visit www.csiamerica.com

Struds – It is the ideal software for creating design of concrete structures as per Indian codes as well as designing high rise concrete buildings and various building elements like slabs, beams, columns, shear walls and foundations etc. instantly and smoothly.

For more information, visit struds-v11.software.informer.com

Etabs - A composite software package for making the structural analysis and design of buildings. ETABS provides supreme 3D object based modeling and visualization tools, deeply quick linear and nonlinear analytical power, profound and wide-ranging design powers for a wide array of materials, and insightful graphic displays, reports, and schematic drawings that facilitate the users to instantly and easily solve and recognize analysis and design results.

For more information, visit www.csiamerica.com

GT Strudl – It is a powerful structural analysis and design modeling software for structural engineers. The software can be applied for concrete, steel, and reinforced concrete design of structures.

For more information, visit, ppm.intergraph.com

Microstation – It is a CAD software product from Bentley Systems for two and three dimensional design and drafting. With MicroStation, it is possible to efficiently view, model, document, and visualize projects of any size or complexity.

For more information, visit www.bentley.com

Ansys – It is a useful product for engineering simulation over the complete product lifecycle, ranging from digital exploration to digital prototyping to operations and maintenance with digital twins.

For more information, visit www.ansys.com/

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www.constructioncost.co
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Slope Deflection Procedure With Frame Analysis

The slope deflection method is a structural analysis method for beams and frames . Before the development of the moment distribution method, the slope deflection procedure was widely used more than a decade.

In this lecture you will learn the analysis of indeterminate frames step by step (with proper equations and diagrams) by the help of the use of the slope-deflection method.

Enjoy the tutorial below:

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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How to use excel for carrying out complex engineering calculations for structural analysis

This construction video is extracted from a construction course conducted by GrSoft Structural Engineering. This course will provide guidance on how to use Microsoft Excel to resolve complicated engineering calculations. In excel, there is powerful programming capabilities to solve all the engineering calculations easily.

Excel contains various input parameters which can be entered on a very easy and a rapid way. Besides, there is also a simple sketch that can be used as a graphical illustration of the basis of calculation having annotations of input parameters. The engineers can also apply the simple mathematical process as well as write various complicated formulas or iterations. Generate your own customized engineering calculations quickly. Update formulas in your calculation when necessary. Excel provides open-source solution with robust programmable tools.

Learning Objective:

- How to generate cells where input parameters are inputted

- How to produce a sketch with annotations of input parameters

- How to arrange cells where results of calculation will be written

- How to generate a push button to initiate start of the calculation

- How to write code to execute calculation

- How to write code to show the outcomes of the calculation

- How to carry out calculation

- How to customize excel for creating practical engineering calculation for structural analysis

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Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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