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Module 1
Introduction to Steel and
Timber Design
Topics to be Discussed:
• Course Overview
• Role of structural design In architecture
• Overview of steel and timber as structural materials
Review of Structural members and building load path
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Steel Structures
Steel Structure are assembly of structural steel shapes joined
together by means of rivets/bolts or welded connections. Structural
steel is the main load carrying material to transfer the load within
them and to transfer the load to the ground.
Type of Steel Structure
There are many different types of steel structures, each designed
to meet specific requirements, Here are some of the most
common types of steel structures.
Steel Frame Structures
These are the most common
types which is widely used in
wide range of buildings, from
high rise offices to residential
homes. These are consist of
vertical steel columns,
horizontal beams and steel
connections that hold the
members together.
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Advantages:
They are quick to assemble, reducing construction time and
labor costs.
They are also lightweight and require less foundation work than
concrete structures.
Additionally, steel is a sustainable and recyclable material,
making it an environmentally-friendly option for construction.
Disadvantages:
They can be more expensive than other construction methods.
They require careful planning and design to ensure structural
integrity.
The building’s energy efficiency can be affected if not properly
insulated.
Type of Steel Structure
Steel Truss Structures
Steel truss structures are a
type of construction method
that uses a series of
interconnected triangles to
distribute weight evenly across
the structure. Steel truss
structures are commonly used
for roofs and bridges, but can
also be used for other
applications where long spans
are required.
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Advantages:
They are lightweight and require less material than other types of
structures, making them more cost-effective.
They are also quick to assemble, reducing construction time and labor
costs.
Steel truss structures are also very durable and can withstand harsh
environmental conditions, such as high winds and earthquakes.
Disadvantages:
They can be more complex to design and construct than other
structures, requiring specialized knowledge and equipment.
They also require careful maintenance to prevent corrosion and other
types of damage over time.
They can be more difficult to modify or expand once they are built,
which can limit their flexibility for future use.
Type of Steel Structure
Steel Arch Structures
These structures are used
for bridges and buildings
where a long span is required.
The steel arch structure
consists of a curved steel
arch that supports the weight
of the structure. The arch is
made up of a series of
connected steel members that
form a curved shape.
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Advantages:
They can span long distances without the need for intermediate supports,
making them ideal for bridges and other structures that need to cross over
obstacles such as rivers or valleys.
They are also lightweight and require less material than other types of
structures, making them more cost-effective.
Steel arch structures are also very durable and can withstand harsh
environmental conditions, such as high winds and earthquakes.
They are also easy to maintain and repair, as the arch shape provides a clear
space underneath the structure for access.
Disadvantages:
They can be more complex to design and construct than other structures,
requiring specialized knowledge and equipment.
They also require careful maintenance to prevent corrosion and other types
of damage over time.
They can be more difficult to modify or expand once they are built, which can
limit their flexibility for future use.
Type of Steel Structure
Steel Cable Structures
Steel cable structures are a type of
construction method that uses steel
cables to support the weight of the
structure, creating a suspension system.
They are commonly used for suspension
bridges and roofs. The steel cable
structure consists of steel cables that are
anchored to towers or columns at either
end of the structure. The cables are then
stretched taut across the span of the
structure, creating a suspension system
that supports the weight of the structure.
The cables are anchored to the ground or
to concrete blocks to provide additional
stability.
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Advantages:
They can span long distances without the need for intermediate supports,
making them ideal for suspension bridges and other structures that need to
cross over obstacles such as rivers or valleys.
They are lightweight and require less material than other types of structures,
making them more cost-effective.
Steel cable structures are also very durable and can withstand harsh
environmental conditions.
They are also easy to maintain, as the cables can be easily inspected and
replaced if necessary.
Disadvantages:
They can be complex to design and construct, requiring specialized
knowledge and equipment.
They require careful maintenance to prevent corrosion and other types of
damage over time.
Steel cable structures can be more difficult to modify or expand once they are
built
Type of Steel Structure
Steel Space Frame Structure
Steel space frame structures are a type of construction method that
uses a three-dimensional framework of steel tubes to support the weight
of the structure. Steel space frame structures are commonly used for
large buildings such as airports and sports arenas. The steel space
frame structure consists of a series of steel tubes that are welded
together to create a three-dimensional framework. The framework is
then covered with roofing and cladding materials to create the final
structure.
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Advantages:
They can span long distances without the need for intermediate supports,
making them ideal for large buildings and other structures that require a wide
open space.
They are also lightweight and require less material than other types of
structures, making them more cost-effective.
They are also very durable and can withstand harsh environmental
conditions, such as high winds and earthquakes.
They are also easy to maintain, as the framework is easily accessible for
inspection and repair.
Disadvantages:
They can be more complex to design and construct than other structures,
requiring specialized knowledge and equipment.
They also require careful maintenance to prevent corrosion and other types
of damage over time.
They can be more difficult to modify or expand once they are built, which can
limit their flexibility for future use.
Steel Production
Steel is made from iron
ore, a compound of
iron, oxygen and other
minerals that occurs in
nature. (ArcelorMittal, 2024)
Basic Oxygen Furnace
(Blast Furnace)
Electric Arc Furnace
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Steel is primarily produced using one of two methods: Blast
Furnace or Electric Arc Furnace.
The blast furnace is the first step in producing steel from iron
oxides. The first blast furnaces appeared in the 14th century and
produced one ton per day. Even though equipment is improved
and higher production rates can be achieved, the processes
inside the blast furnace remain the same. The blast furnace
uses coke, iron ore and limestone to produce pig iron.
Coal traditionally has been a key part of the coke-making
process. The coal is crushed and ground into a powder and then
charged into an oven where it is heated to approximately 1800°F
in the absence of oxygen. As the oven is heated, the coal begins
to melt so most of the volatile matter such as oil, tar, hydrogen,
nitrogen and sulfur are removed. The cooked coal, called coke,
is removed from the oven after 18 to 24 hours of reaction time.
The coke is cooled and screened into pieces ranging from one
inch to four inches. The coke is a porous, hard black rock of
concentrated carbon (contains 90 to 93 percent carbon), which
has some ash and sulfur but compared to raw coal is very
strong. The strong pieces of coke with a high energy value
provide permeability, heat and gases which are required to
reduce and melt the iron ore, pellets and sinter. Today, natural
gas is increasingly being added in place of coke to the same
degree in the blast furnace to reduce carbon emissions.
The first electric arc furnaces (EAFs) appeared in the late 19th
Century. The use of EAFs has expanded and now accounts for
over 70 percent of steel production in the United States. The
EAF is different from the blast furnace as it produces steel by
using an electrical current to melt scrap steel, direct reduced
iron, and/or pig iron, to produce molten steel.
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Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
1. Ability to be fastened 1. Brittle fracture may occur
together by several simple 2. Fatigue
connection. 3. Susceptibility to buckling
2. Easy to be rolled into wide 4. Fireproofing cost
variety of sizes and shapes. 5. Corrosion
3 .Reusable after dismantling.
4. Materials is Salvageable.
5. Material is Ductile
6. Durable and has long
lifespan.
7. Property of steel does not
change.
8. High Tensile Strength
Prominent features of Steel
Construction
1. Easy and Efficient Fabrication
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Prominent features of Steel
Construction
2. Creativity
Prominent features of Steel
Construction
3. Easy Extension & fixing
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Prominent features of Steel
Construction
4. Long Span
Prominent features of Steel
Construction
5. No Limit of Architectural Design
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Prominent features of Steel
Construction
6. Recycling is Possible
Common Steel Section
1. Tee Sections
2. Angle Bars
[Link]
Structural
Section
4. Wide Flange
5. I-Beam
6. Channel
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Parts of Wide Flange Section
Stress-Strain in Structural Steel
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1. Proportional Limit
Linear relationship of stress and strain, largest stress
for Hooke’s law applies or the highest pont on the linear
portion of the stress-strain diagram. Stress/Strain – Young;s
Modulus = Modulus of Elasticity
2. Elastic Limit - Rubber Band
3 Yield Strength – Deformation,. It is the point that indicates
the limit of eklastic behavior and the beginning of plastic
behavior.
4. Plastic Region – Resistance, strain hardening “refers to
the process of increasing the steel’s strength and resistance
to deformation”
5. Ultimate Strength – Highest stress applied to steel, the
maximum ordinate in the stress-strain diagram.
6. Necking – A Shard reduction in cross section of the steel
before fracture.
7. Fracture – Separation, the stress at which the steel fails via
fracture through tensile test
8. Resilience – the ability of a material to absorb energy when
it is deformed elastically and release that energy upon
unloading
9. Toughness – The ability of a material to absorb and
plastically deform without fracturing.
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Timber Structures
Timber is one of the most versatile materials within the
construction industry. Timber structure use vertical post and
horizontal beams. As a structure, timber can transmit and resist
loads through axial compression and bending
Timber members are particularly capable of acting as tension,
compression and bending members
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Timber Structures
Timber members are particularly capable of acting as tension,
compression and bending members
Compared to steel or concrete, the modulus of elasticity is low.
E steel = 200,000 Mpa
E concrete = 4700 square root f’c
E timber = many variety
The texture and appearance of timber makes it very suitable for
use in visually exposed structures
The combination of steel and timber often produce light and
competitive structure with timber as compression and steel as
tension members.
Most timber is found in buildings having a simple rectangular
form used; for example, in floor joists, rafter and other roof
components or for walls in timber framed housing
Wood – Lumber - Timber
WOOD TIMBER LUMBER
It is a substance that still has to be cut and It is the wood that
trees are made out of. processed for it to be has already been
It is the hard, fibrous sold for construction processed and
structural tissue that is purposes. In the usually available in
commonly found in NSCP 2015, Timber various sizes that
the stems and roots of are square or nearly can be
the trees. square sawn lumber immediately
that is not less thank without requiring
125mm much cutting or
shaping
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Type of Timber Structure
There are five primary categories of timber structure. These
systems offer sustainable, fast and highly customizable buildings.
Light Frame Construction
The most common residential framing style. It uses closely
spaced vertical studs and horizontal plates to form the walls
and floors. It is lightweight, uses cost-effective softwoods like
pine and spruce, and allows for easy installation of utilities.
(Platform Construction)
Platform Construction
Advantages:
Short, easily handled lumber
Made entirely of 2” lumber
Automatic firestop
Working platforms
Nail Connections
Disadvantages:
Vertical shrinkage
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Balloon Construction
Advantages:
Full Length Studds
Less Vertical Shrinkage
Reduces variation in settlement of framing
Disadvantages:
Full length studs difficult to handle
Difficult to erect
Firestop is difficult
Type of Timber Structure
Heavy Timber (Post & Beam)
Uses much larger, widely spaced wooden posts and
beams to support the building's weight. It features
exposed wooden joinery and is often paired with steel
connectors or concrete for extra lateral stability.
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Type of Timber Structure
Mass timber
Features large, solid engineered wood panels, such as
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). These panels can form
entire load-bearing walls and floor slabs, offering rapid
construction speeds, high strength, and the ability to build
high-rises
Type of Timber Structure
Log/block System
A traditional method where timber logs are stacked
horizontally and interlocked at the corners. It provides a
rustic look and excellent natural insulation, primarily used
for cabins and smaller buildings
Structural Insulated Panels
A modern modular system where prefabricated
panels—typically made of rigid foam sandwiched
between Oriented Strand Board (OSB)—are used as the
walls and roofs. They offer highly efficient thermal
insulation and quick on-site assembly.
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ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS
GLULAM
It stands for Glue Laminated Lumber
Stress-rated and graded
Parallel Grain
Different Finish Grades
Standard Widths
Straight or curved
Size limit
Stock or custom dimensions
ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS
PREFABRICATED WOOD I-JOIST
ASTMD5055
Standard dimensions
Specifications per manufacturer
WOOD STRUCTURAL PANELS
PLYWOOD – is wood veneers
boned together to produce a flat
sheet. An extremely versatile
product, plywood is used for a
wide range of structural, inferior
and exterior applications – from
formworks through internal
paneling
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SELECTING A STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
COST
SCHEDULE
FUNCTION
CODE REQUIREMENTS
APPEARANCE
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN (ASD)
& LOAD & RESISTANCE FACTOR
DESIGN (LFRD)
ASD
Based on the principle that stresses developed in the structural
members should not exceed a certain fraction of elastic limit
Consider only the elastic strength of the material
All loads are taken as service loads and no factor is applied to
increase these loads.
LFRD
It based on a principle that strength of various materials is scaled down
by some factors (load combinations) – NSCP 2025
Consider the ultimate strength, which results in utilization of elastic,
plastic and strain hardening stages of materials
All loads are to be taken a factored loads
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ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN (ASD)
& LOAD & RESISTANCE FACTOR
DESIGN (LFRD)
Service Load
Dead Load, Live load
LAB 1 – Structural Element Identification
Worksheet
Objective
Identify structural elements in a simple building and explain their functions.
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