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Structure design is a common branch in engineering that addresses how structures should be planned, analyzed, and designed to sustain the loads as well as forces they are put through, and which are safe, durable, and functional. Architecture concurrent is a sub-discipline of civil engineering and architectural engineering discipline. Key components of structural design: Analysis of Loads: Structural engineers first consider the different sorts of loads which structure is going to face during its operational cycle.
These loads include:
The structure weight as walls, floors, roof and any other parts of the structure that are permanent fixtures.
The dynamic or short-term working loads resulting from live loads which include occupants loads, furniture and equipment loads as well as other movable loads in the structure.
These are wind loads, snow loads, seismic loads (earthquakes) and temperature variations.
These load are quantified and analyzed by engineers in manners such as mathematical models and simulations where aspects such as magnitude, duration, frequency and distribution of the loads on the structure are quantified.
Structural engineers are very selective with the type of material to be used in a structure due to the mechanical properties which the material must possess in addition to cost and ease and efficiency of construction. Common structural materials include:
Is a popular construction material due to its high compressive strength and versatility as used in some construction components like; foundation, columns, slabs, etc.
It is strong for its weight, flexible and ductile and it therefore finds application in structural frames, beams, and trusses.
Timber is necessary and used often because its renewable, beautiful, lightweight and relatively easy to construct, specifically in single and small multiple occupancy domestic and light commercial projects.
Mortarless brick and stone and block masonry are applied to walls, facades, and partitions, due to their hardness and fire protection capacity. Materials include ferromagnetic metals, semiconductors, insulators, superconductors and other, Engineers evaluate characteristics of these materials and determine which of them is optimal to be acquired depending on structural demands, conditions, and costs of acquisition.
Ideally, once a load and a material are considered, engineers come up with individual structural members to resist the forces exerted thus provide support.
Selecting appropriate sections of beams, columns, slabs, walls and footings to accommodate bending , shear, axial and torsional forces safely. Defining protection rates for concrete elements for the purpose of increasing tensile strength and ductility. Provisions of correct connection and joints to allow proper distribution of loads on superstructures and members and allowance for movement and settlement. Principles such as equilibrium, compatibility, and strength of engineers are used by engineers in making structures that are both efficient and mechanically efficient.
There are defined procedures for structural design which lie in the conversion of individual parts of structure into a structural assemblage credited to the capability of transferring loads to the ground or to other support.
Structural organization of framing plans, floor plans and elevation structures for enhanced spatial balance and functional facilities. Providing wind and seismic loads paths and force- resisting systems (shear wall, braced frame etc.).
Strength and elongation beside low density makes steel proper for use in frames, beams and trusses where high strength is required but weight should be low.
Timber is preferred for its natural resource availability, looks, and the simplicity of the structure, and used in low rise residential and commercial structures.
Mortarless masonry units like brick, stone, and block offer strength and fire protection for walls, façade and partition work. These materials are characterized and undergo an evaluation in order to satisfy specific engineering needs, given physical conditions and costs.
After the loads and the materials used are identified, engineers create different individual members to be able to support the loads applied to the structure.
Determining sizes and sections of beams, columns, slabs, walls, and footings in order to safely build structures to resist bending, shear, axial and torsional actions. Procedures for defining amount of reinforcement in concrete elements in order to increase tensile strength and extendability. Providing suitable links and finishes to guarantee right load distribution on structural part and for account of movement and settlement. Working with engineers, design concepts of structural mechanics which include equilibrium, compatibility, and strength of materials, allows them to create proper and strong components.
Structural design incorporates components into a structural system which should be capable of transferring all loads down to the ground or support elements.
The correspondence between different levels of structures such as the framing plan, the building plan, and the elevation plan in order to maximize functional space and the functional needs. Determining loading arrangements and lateral force-resisting systems (such as shears wall, bracing frames) to stand wind and seismic loads and provide.
Availability of structural design therefore deals more often with the safety of structures and the individuals who utilize the structures. Working engineers are in a position to account for the loads that structure will undergo in their life time and design them to ensure that loads do not exceed their limit of safety. These include elements of strength, stiffness and weight, and load bearing amongst others. Analyzing and calculating engineers make certain that the constructed structures should stand against axials such as gravity, winds, seismicity and environments without failure or falling down. This is especially important in reducing accidents, injuries, and even loss of live in the process since it is well understood that working with mechanical energy can be hazardous.
Structural capacity can be defined as the capacity of structural members and systems that are imposed on them during their application and utilization. Structural design such that structures do not experience deformations or failure due to various factors in the course of construction and after construction had been completed. It is the engineers who factor issues to do with the material possibility, structural layouts, as well as construction methods in compiling the structures. They engage in numerical modeling and analysis in order to analyze both the performance of individual structural components and structural systems under specific conditions.
The management of risk associated with structural failures is well facilitated by structural designs. Performing a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, engineers explore contingencies which may occur in a design and protect or remove any areas of weakness identified by these contingencies. By paying attention to the materials elected, the design of redundancy and courtesy to safety standards, engineers detract the possibility of failure and decrease the effects of any mishaps as much as possible.
The functionality is an essential aspect of structural design because structures need to serve the functions that the users of the structures require. In most construction projects, engineers cooperate with architects as well as other professionals in an attempt to identify the functional demands of the project to be designed and accommodate these in the design. This may include adjustments of the space provided in symmetrical forms, space provisions for equipment and other utilities and the correct arrangement of ways and means for free movement of traffic within the building. Structural elements bear the functional requirements of structures in the same context as safety and integrity.
In addition to safe and effective, structural design plays an important role of safety function as well as aesthetics of buildings and infrastructures. Engineering personnel liaise with architects to ensure structures developed incorporate aesthetic issues into the general design framework appropriately. This may include and imaginative utilization of materials, novelty in structural organization and planning, and additional focus on the structuring of the fabrication. The aim is to design architectural structures that not only ensure design uniqueness but also shall be able to perform their simple structural functions.
Sustainable structural design for construction on the other hand focuses on environmental performance of building projects with an intention of maximizing resource utilization. These approaches include calling for efficient use of materials, use of energy and the incorporation of renewable materials in the design. In life cycle assessment and environmental impact analysis, the engineers determine consequences of utilization of structural designs for the environment and possible enhancements. They play a great role in reduction of climate change, proliferation, conservation of resources and optimum stewardship.
Structural design plays an important role in determining the most feasible ways of acquiring construction resources and determining the most efficient construction methods given the limited availability of construction resources and time allowed for the construction of the particular building. Therefore engineers try to optimize the cost aspects without compromising with the performance and durability in order to provide maximum utility to the project stakeholders. By proper scheduling, optimum design measures, and cost control methods, engineers always attempt to keep the construction cost down to the barest minimum while ensuring that the structure yields the best result in the long run.
Legislation with specifications of building code, regulation and standard is crucial in structural design so as to meet mandatory minimum performance standards and legal provisions. Engineering professionals learn about codes and laws that apply to the specific work they are doing and use them to their work. This might involve conducting such activities as structural evaluations, reviewing building codes and conducting inspections, requestion permits and approvals from the local and or state government. It is a fact that one of the reasons for maintaining building standards is the safety and legal admissibility of civil engineering facilities.
Structural design has a significant impact on increasing resistance to many forms of risks; these being; natural calamities and anthropogenic risks. Engineering techniques and design methods are used to detect potential problems and enhance static and dynamic behavior of structures under various loading conditions. This may involve constructing building with an eye to their ability to survive earthquake, hurricanes, floods, fires and other disasters. By sound design practices and construction, engineers improve the performance of structure in case of an eventuality and it’s effect on the society.
Therefore, the avowed objective of structural design is to improve on conditions afloat in society whether it be in private homes or business undertakings. Architecture creates safe, comfortable environment and effective forms necessary for human activity and welfare.
High rise building structures play a key role in developing community group participation, economic development, and social harmony through efforts made by structural engineers. Through their safe, efficient and beautifully built infrastructure structures, engineers enhance the society standards accorded to person or groups of people. In writing this paper, it has been evident that structural design involves safety issues, functionality, the aesthetic value, the life span, and sustainability of structures. As with everything, even engineering involves skillful planning, critical thinking, innovative concept development, and consultation to enable development of structures that make people’s lives better, improve communities, and provide a worthy heritage for generations to come.
Before hiring a company to design the structure, one should consider the factors and clarify the terminology in the process of choosing a company.
Here are some major terms and considerations to keep in mind: Credentials and Experience:
Search the credentials of the firms practicing structural engineering and design. Your choice of an institution should have a license and accreditation by professional organizations and regulatory boards. Look at their experience and the list of their successfully finished projects, with preferences toward those which was similar to yours.
He/She must define their extent of the services required from a structural design firm to make a better decision on which firm to hire. This usually encompasses preliminary design, structural design analysis, construction drawings, specifications and construction administration. Check to see whether the firm is capable of fulfilling all your project needs and expectation.
Review the extent of professional proficiency of the employees of the firm; structural engineers and designers as well as the supporting staff members. Concern the duration of their education, the professional certifications of the experts and the overall relevant experience that an expert or a structural engineering consulting agency has in structural design and analysis.
Ask about the technological strengths of the firm and available tools which are being employed for the structural analysis, modeling and designing. This approach will involve identifying firms which adopt the latest tools and computer programs to model the design, estimate the performance and improve the efficiency.
Assume that the reader is familiar with the firms approach to project management and communication. Explain how they will work in collaboration with other stakeholders involved in the project, how will they deal with project time schedule as well as project funds and other resources and showing continual updates on the real-life project.
Ask about their quality assurance and or quality control measures in the firm. Interrogatives to ask are how they guarantee the validity and credibility of their design deliverables. Search for firms that have an effective quality management policies and procedures to be followed.
Contact current and former clients of the firm to accesses the reputation of the firm by requesting references and by checking on testimonials or case studies. Call past clients in order to get their opinion on the firms’ efficiency, attentiveness and outcomes.
Examine the contractual conditions as concerns fees, charges, payment, and terms of working. Make sure the contract states the project goals, specific result from the contract, roles and duties of each party, more services and cost.
Ensure that the structural design firm carries enough professional liability insurance, as well as all other necessary insurance. This is useful in case of errors, oversights, or other unexpected events during the process.
Evaluate the firms adherence to ethical regulations.. Seek out those firms who comply also with standards of ethical conduct, and guidelines and policies of professionalism expressed by professional bodies.
By observing these major terms and putting in ample efforts to research, you will be in a position to hire a structural design firm that fits your project aims, needs, and expected values. The special relationship between the client and the design firm depends on cooperation and trust between the two.