Woldia University

Institute of Technology (WiT)

Department of Civil Engineering

THEORY AND DESIGN OF STRUCTURES I

(Arch1171 )

1. Introduction

Oct- 2025
Woldia, Ethiopia

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2
Coordinate Geometry

II I
Quadrant Quadrant
(-,+) (+,+)

III IV
Quadrant Quadrant
(-,-) (+,-)

3
 Slope of line

Y Axis
Q (X2,Y2)

(Y2-Y1) m = tan θ =
P θ
(X1,Y1) (X2-X1)

X Axis

4
 Few more to Recall……
✓ Trigonometry

✓ Pythagoras Theorem

✓ Cosine & Sine rule

✓ Sign conversion

✓ Unit conversion

5
 Course Description
A little about the course!!!
Why?
◼ Being an Architect may be involved in the design
and construction.
What?
◼ introducing the impact of the structural engineering
discipline on the Architectural design
How?
◼ Discussion, lecture, reading and exercising

THEORY AND DESIGN OF STRUCTURES I (Arch1171 )

10/30/2025 [6]
 Introduction
Contents
What is structural design ?
Role in Architecture
Basic Principle of Structural Design
Sample practical Example

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 Introduction
What is structural design ?
Structural design in the perspective of Architecture is
the process of determining the framework of a
building (beams, columns, slabs, foundations, etc.) so
that it can safely withstand loads (like its own weight,
people, furniture, wind, earthquake forces) without
failure or excessive deformation.
It bridges architecture (the art of creating functional
and aesthetic spaces) with engineering (ensuring
strength, safety, and stability).

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 Introduction
Role in Architecture
Aesthetic Integration – Structural systems influence
the form, proportion, and material choices of
buildings.
Functionality – A well-designed structure ensures open
spaces, natural light, and flexibility.
Safety & Comfort – Protects against collapse,
vibrations, and serviceability issues.
Sustainability – Efficient use of materials reduces cost
and environmental impact.

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 Introduction
Basic Principle Of Structural Design
Strength – Can the structure resist applied loads?
Stability – Will it remain standing under all expected
conditions?
Serviceability – Will it function without cracks,
sagging, or discomfort?
Economy – Achieving safety and performance with
minimal waste

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 Introduction
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics which deals with
the state of rest or motion of bodies under the action
of forces.
A detailed understanding of this subject is an essential
prerequisite for work in many fields of engineering.
Mechanics is divided into three parts:
1. Mechanics of Rigid Bodies
2. Mechanics of Deformable Bodies and
3. Mechanics of Fluid.

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 Introduction
Statics

Statics deals with the equilibrium of bodies under

action of forces and Dynamics deals with the motion
of bodies.
Statics is the study of bodies that are at rest or move
with constant velocity.
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 Introduction
Fundamental laws
The study of mechanics is based on following fundamental laws:

1. Newton’s Laws of Motion: Sir Isaac Newton in seventeenth century

stated three laws of motion as follow,

Law I: A particle remains at rest, or continuous to move in a straight

line with uniform velocity, if there is no unbalanced force acting on it.

Law II: The acceleration of a particle is proportional to the resultant

force acting on the particle and is in the direction of this force.

Law III: The forces of action and reaction between interacting bodies
are equal in magnitude, opposite in direction, and collinear.
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 Introduction
Fundamental laws
The study of mechanics is based on following fundamental
laws:
2. Newton’s Law of Gravitation: This law states that two
particles of mass m1 and m2 are mutually attracted with equal
and opposite forces P and – P of magnitude P given by the
formula,

Where, m1 and m2 = masses of two particles r = distance

between two particles G = constant of gravitation

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 Introduction

Fundamental laws
The study of mechanics is based on following fundamental laws:

3. Law of Transmissibility: It state that, the point of application

of a force can be transmitted to any other point along its line of
action within the body. Force P acting at point O can be transmitted
to point O’ along its line of action as shown in Figure 1.

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 Introduction
SCALARS AND VECTORS
Many physical quantities in engineering mechanics are measured using either scalars
or vectors.
Scalar:- A scalar is any positive or negative physical quantity that can be completely
specified by its magnitude.
Examples of scalar quantities include length, mass, and time.
Vector:- A vector is any physical quantity that requires both a magnitude and a
direction for its complete description. A vector is shown graphically by an arrow, Fig.
2–1.
The length of the arrow represents the magnitude of the vector, and the
angle ꝋ between the vector and a fixed axis defines the direction of its line
of action. The head or tip of the arrow indicates the sense of direction of
the vector.

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 Introduction
SCALARS AND VECTORS
Representation of Vectors

1. Graphical representation

A vector is shown graphically by an arrow, Fig. 2–1. The length of

the arrow represents the magnitude of the vector, and the angle ꝋ
between the vector and a fixed axis defines the direction of its line
of action. The head or tip of the arrow indicates the sense of
direction of the vector.

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 Introduction
SCALARS AND VECTORS
Representation of Vectors

2. Algebraic (arithmetic) representation

algebraically a vector is represented by the components of the
vector along the three dimensions.

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 Introduction
SCALARS AND VECTORS
Type of Vectors
✓ A free vector is one whose action is not confined to or associated with a unique line in
space. For example, if a body moves without rotation, then the movement or displacement of
any point in the body may be taken as a vector. This vector describes equally well the direction
and magnitude of the displacement of every point in the body. Thus, we may represent the
displacement of such a body by a free vector. E.g. displacement, Acceleration, Couple
✓ A sliding vector has a unique line of action in space but not a unique point of application. For
example, when an external force acts on a rigid body,

✓ A fixed vector is one for which a unique point of application is specified. The action of a
force on a deformable or non-rigid body must be specified by a fixed vector at the point of
application of the force. In this instance the forces and deformations within the body depend
on the point of application of the force, as well as on its magnitude and line of action.

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 Introduction
SCALARS AND VECTORS
Properties of vectors
♦ Equality of vectors: Two free vectors are said to be equal if
and only if they have the same magnitude and direction.

♦ The Negative of a vector: is a vector which has equal

magnitude to a given vector but opposite in direction.

♦ Null vector: is a vector of zero magnitude. A null vector has an

arbitrary direction.

♦ Unit vector: is any vector whose magnitude is unity.

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 Introduction
VECTOR OPERATIONS
1. Vector Addition
Graphical Method
✓ Parallelogram law

The law states, “if A and B are two free vectors drawn on scale, the
resultant (the equivalent vector) of the vectors can be found by
drawing a parallelogram having sides of these vectors, and the
resultant will be the diagonal starting from the tails of both vectors
and ending at the heads of both vectors.”

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 Introduction
VECTOR OPERATIONS
1. Vector Addition
✓ The Triangle rule

The Triangle rule is a corollary to the parallelogram axiom and it is

fit to be applied to more than two vectors at once. It states “If the
two vectors, which are drawn on scale, are placed tip (head) to tail,
their resultant will be the third side of the triangle which has tail at
the tail of the first vector and head at the head of the last.”

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 Introduction
VECTOR OPERATIONS
1. Vector Addition
Analytic method
The analytic methods are the direct applications of the above postulates and theorems in
which the resultant is found mathematically instead of measuring it from
the drawings as in the graphical method.
Trigonometric rules: The resultant of two vectors can be found analytically from the
parallelogram rule by applying the cosine and the sine rules. Consider the following
parallelogram. And let ꝋ be the angle between the two vectors
Sine rule:
The inclination β of the resultant vector from
→
A can be found by using sine law

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 Introduction
VECTOR OPERATIONS
2. Vector Multiplication:
A. Multiplication of vectors by scalars:

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 Introduction
VECTOR OPERATIONS
2. Vector Multiplication:
A. Multiplication of vector by vector:
➢ Dot Product: Scalar Product
The scalar product of two vectors A and B which are θ degrees inclined from each

other denoted by A.B (A dot B) will result in a scalar of magnitude

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 Introduction
VECTOR OPERATIONS
2. Vector Multiplication:
A. Multiplication of vector by vector:
➢ Cross Product: Vector Product
The vector product of two vectors A and B which are θ degrees inclined from each

other denoted by AxB (A cross B) will result in a vector of magnitude and

the direction perpendicular to the plan formed by the two vectors. The sense of the
resulting vector can be determined by the right-hand rule

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 The End!!!

Thank you!

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