BUILDING CONSTRUCTION (CENG 3103)
CHAPTER-3
BUILDING STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
2014
(NATNAEL B.)
CONTENTS
Introduction
Reinforced concrete structures
Steel framed structures
Timber structures
Prefabricated building systems
Shell and dome structures
INTRODUCTION
Structural systems of a building support all loads and resist all
constraining forces that may be reasonably expected to be imposed
on them during their expected service life, with out:
hazard to users,
dangerous deformations,
excessive side sway (drift) or
annoying vibrations.
Loads and environmental forces acting on structural systems are:
gravity loads
wind/seismic loads
expansion/contraction of material
heat and cold
moisture and precipitation
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INTRODUCTION (CONT…)
Gravity Load
4 Lateral Loading
INTRODUCTION (CONT…)
The structural systems could be either concrete, steel, timber,
prefabricated element or a combination.
The selection of the appropriate structural system or combination of
systems depends on:
Soil conditions
The program and concept (function of a building)
Applicable codes
Type of building
Material delivery and construction timing
Local construction capabilities and preferences
Ease of construction and schedule
Cost of the selected system
Cost impact on other systems
Appearance and aesthetic potential
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE
Concrete is a product obtained artificially by hardening of the
mixture of
i. binding material (cement),
ii. fine aggregate (sand),
iii. coarse aggregate (gravel), and
iv. water, in predetermined proportions.
The property of concrete depend on the characteristic of the
ingredients and the proportion of the mix.
In mix proportioning workability, strength, durability and
economy should be taken into consideration.
Concrete works are classified as:
Class I - works under the direction of qualified supervisor
Class II – works with lower level of quality
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
Classification based on density
Classification of concrete based on density
Classification Density (Kg/m3)
Normal-weight concrete 2400
Light weight concrete 1800
Heavy weight concrete 3200
Classification based on strength
Classification based on strength
Classification Maximum strength Type
Ordinary concrete < 20 Low-strength
Standard concrete 20-40 Medium-strength
High-strength concrete 40-80 High-strength
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
Advantages and disadvantages of concrete structures
Advantages Disadvantages
• High compressive strength • Low tensile strength
• High stiffness (rigidity) • Limited ductility
• Ability to be cast • Little resistance to cracking
• Low thermal and electrical • Volume instability
conductivity
• Low strength to weight
• Economical ratio
• Durable • Forms and shoring
• Fire resistant
• Energy-efficient
• Onsite fabrication
• Aesthetic properties
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
Reinforced concrete (RCC) is a concrete in which steel
reinforcement bars have been incorporated to eliminate the major
weakness of concrete (tensile strength).
The number, diameter, spacing, shape and type of bars to be used
have to be designed.
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
A reinforced concrete structure is made up of many types of
reinforced structural members, including:
footings,
columns,
beams,
slabs,
walls, and so forth
FOOTINGS
Footings support the entire structure and distribute the load to the
ground.
The size and shape of a footing depend upon the design of the
structure.
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
FOOTINGS (CONT…)
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
COLUMNS
These are the vertical load bearing members of the structural frame
which transmits the beam loads down to the foundations.
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
BEAMS
These are horizontal load bearing members which are classified as
either
Main beams which transmit floor and secondary beam loads to
the columns or
Secondary beams which transmit floor loads to the main beams.
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
SLABS
Carry the live loads of the building and transfer them to the beams.
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
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REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE (CONT…)
JOINTS IN CONCRETE STRUCTURES
Contraction joints: the purpose of contraction joints is to control
cracking caused by temperature changes.
Expansion joints: Wherever expansion might cause a concrete slab to
buckle because of temperature change, expansion joints are required.
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STEEL STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION
Steel has the maximum number of properties which are not found in
any other materials.
High tensile and compressive strength
Ability to deform plastically with out damage
Can be easily welded, forged and riveted
Large displacement before collapse
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STEEL STRUCTURE (CONT…)
INTRODUCTION (cont...)
Steel is the only material which is equally strong both in tension and
compression.
Steel is suitable for all construction purposes in the present day
practice.
Steel bars are used as reinforcement
Construction of steel bridges
Construction of buildings
◦ Skeleton construction
◦ Long span construction
Erection of towers, etc
The construction of a framework of structural steel involves two
principal operation: fabrication and erection.
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STEEL STRUCTURE (CONT…)
INTRODUCTION (cont...)
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STEEL STRUCTURE (CONT…)
STEEL SECTIONS
Cold rolled sections: Cold-formed shapes are relatively thin sections
made by bending sheet or strip steel in roll-forming machines, press
brakes, or bending brakes.
Door and window frames, partitions, wall studs, floor joists,
sheathing, and moldings are made by cold forming.
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STEEL STRUCTURE (CONT…)
STEEL SECTIONS (cont...)
Hot rolled sections: these are structural steel available in wide range of
size, shape and weight.
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STEEL STRUCTURE (CONT…)
STRUCTURAL STEEL CONNECTORS
There are four basic connectors used in making structural steel
connections. They are bolts, welds, pins, and rivets.
Rivets
Welding
Pins
Bolts
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STEEL STRUCTURE (CONT…)
Advantages and disadvantages of steel structures
Advantages Disadvantages
• High strength to weight ratio • Energy intensive material
• Non-combustible • Susceptible to rust and
• Recyclable corrosion
• Consistent material quality • Requires fire proofing
• Safety: offers greater • Highly conductive
protection • Emission of gases during
• Flexibility production
• Inorganic: will not warp, split, • Extra cost for protective
creep, crack coating
• Dimensional stability
• Straight walls, corners
• Speedy construction
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TIMBER STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION
Wood has always been a very good construction material since olden
times. And it is stil used extensively for construction purpose,
railways, furniture, formwork, miscellaneous articles, transportation.
Wood that is suitable for structural work is called timber. It can be
used as:
◦ Beams, joists and rafters ◦ Studs and posts ◦ Girders
◦ Trusses ◦ Decking ◦ Piles
◦ Structural laminated members
The qualities of timber depend upon:
◦ Type of tree ◦ Maturity of tree ◦ Time of felling
◦ Method of seasoning ◦ Type and process of preservation
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TIMBER STRUCTURE (CONT…)
Structural uses of timber
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TIMBER STRUCTURE (CONT…)
Timber frame construction
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TIMBER STRUCTURE (CONT…)
Timber frame construction
Column to base connection
Beam to beam connection
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Composite timber beams
TIMBER STRUCTURE (CONT…)
Advantages and disadvantages of timber structures
Advantages Disadvantages
• Quick erection time • Additional design and
• Reduced site labour engineering time
• Reduced construction waste • Susceptible to decay
• Easily converted to any shape • Very likely to warp and crack
• Economical and cheap • Not fire resistant
• High strength to weight ratio • Requires regular
• Light weight structural maintenance
members • Lack of experience of
• Easy alteration and repairs following trades
• Energy efficient in its
production
• Non conductor of heat and
sound
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PREFABRICATED BUILDING SYSTEMS
INTRODUCTION
Prefabrication may be in general terms defined as a continuity of
production implying:
A steady flow of demands
Standardization
Integration of different stages of production
High degree of organization of work
Mechanization to replace manual labour
The prefabrication practice have advantages with respect to cost,
time, quality, safety and environment.
Types of prefabrication approach:
Fully Pre-fabricated Construction Method
Partially pre-fabricated Construction Method
Prefabrication of elements of the construction
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PREFABRICATED BUILDING SYSTEMS (CONT…)
Precast structural elements
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PREFABRICATED BUILDING SYSTEMS (CONT…)
Precast structural elements
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PREFABRICATED BUILDING SYSTEMS (CONT…)
Precast concrete buildings in Addis Ababa
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PREFABRICATED BUILDING SYSTEMS (CONT…)
Connections in precast concrete structures
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PREFABRICATED BUILDING SYSTEMS (CONT…)
Connections in precast concrete structures (cont…)
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PREFABRICATED BUILDING SYSTEMS (CONT…)
Advantages and disadvantages of precast concrete
Advantages Disadvantages
• More time efficient • Very heavy members
• Ensures high quality • Problems at connections
• Better cost savings • Requirements for lifting
• safety device
• Lower maintenance cost • Limited building design
• Erection at every weather flexibility
condition • Accommodation for last
• Less formwork minute change
• Early return of the investment • Additional reinforcements
• Less wet work at the site for handling
• Better fire protection • Transportation cost
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SHELL AND DOME STRUCTURES
Shells
A shell is structural curved skin covering a given plan shape and area
where the forces in the shell or membrane are compressive and in the
restraining edge beams are tensile.
The main factors of shell roofs are:
The entire roof is a structural element
Basic strength is inherent in its geometrical shape and form
Comparatively less material is required than other forms of roof
structure
Advantages:
o The curved shapes are naturally strong structures
o Allow wide areas to be spanned
o No use of internal supports
o Gives an open and unobstructed space
o Ideally suited for architectural applications
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SHELL AND DOME STRUCTURES (CONT…)
Types of shell structures
folded plates Z shell The lazy S
Barrel shells Short shells Hyperbolic parabolic
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SHELL AND DOME STRUCTURES (CONT…)
Shell structures
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SHELL AND DOME STRUCTURES (CONT…)
DOMES
Domes are double curvature shells which can be rotationally formed
by any curved geometrical plane figure rotating about a central
vertical axis.
These are shells curved in two directions. They are one of the oldest
types of construction.
Advantages:
o They are completely span-free
o Have high ratio of thickness to span
o Aesthetically very pleasing
o Virtually any size and number of openings are possible
o excellent for athletic facilities, schools, auditoriums, churches,
convention halls, museums etc.
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SHELL AND DOME STRUCTURES (CONT…)
Types of dome structures
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SHELL AND DOME STRUCTURES (CONT…)
Dome structures
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EXERCISE
1. What do you understand by structural system of a building?
2. Discuss the different loads and environmental forces acting on
structural systems?
3. Discuss the conditions for selection of structural systems.
4. Briefly discuss the advantage and disadvantages of concrete, steel,
timber and precast concrete structures.
5. Concrete structures are the most widely used structural systems in
our country. Why?
6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of shell and dome
structures?
7. List the different buildings in Addis which were constructed using
precast concrete structural system.
8. List the different buildings in Addis which comprises of shell and
dome structures.
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THANK YOU!
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