Basic Procedure in structural Design

 

What is structural Design ?

Structural Design is a method to investigate the stability, strength and rigidity of a structure. The basic objective of structural design and structural analysis is to provide a structure with ability to resist all applied loads without failure in it's intended lifetime.

Six basic procedure in Structural Design

According to the finalized architectural designs or drawings, the preparation of structural drawings should be conducted. These are the 6 basic steps to consider in structural design.

1. Design Code , Standards and Design criteria

Design code and design criteria is a must at the start of structural designing. Because this is the basis and guideline. As the location of project design code will be very.

Generally, the structural design criteria adopted for the project is based upon the principles of the codes and standards. Some of standards as below.

1. British Standards

2. Euro Codes

3. American Codes

Each code has it's sections intended as the it's uses.

2. Load consideration and calculation

The load consideration is depending on the occupancy of project. Mainly, three types of loads will be assigned for a building.

1. Dead loads - usually composed of the self-weight of the building

2. Super imposed dead load - Floor finishes and weight of the partitions

3. Live loads - The movable loads on structure

Wind loads and seismic loads also will be consider as the loads on structure depending on the type of project.

3. Propose a framing system

The system of frame is important part of the structural design. The designer should study and review the possible framework for the structure without compromising the safety.

Architectural and MEP designs also should be considered.

4. Structural modeling and Manual design

Structural modeling can be easily done with the available structural design software. If the structural design or analyzing software not  available the designer have to do manual design.

Manual calculations can be used for some individual checks on structural members.

5.Design the Structural Members

The elements of the structure (slabs , beams , columns) should be checked according to inputted loading.

6.Produce the structural drawings

After completing above process, a draft sketch of structural framing or structural markups should be prepared. The design and structural schedule should be hand over for drafting.