Posts Tagged structural design
Understanding Load Calculations | Structural Design
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on January 19, 2012
Load Calculations | Design of Buildings
In our earlier article, we discussed “Different types of loads” and their importance in Structural design.
Now we will move on with our further discussion on the following points:
- Design principle assumption and notation assumed
- Design Constant
- Assumptions regarding Design
- Loads on Beams
- Loads on slabs
Design principle assumption and notation assumed:
The notations adopted throughout are same as given in IS:456:2000
Density of material used in accordance with reference to IS:857-1987s
| Sr.no | Material | Density |
| 1 | Plain concrete | 24 KN/m3 |
| 2 | Reinforced cement concrete | 25 KN/m3 |
| 3 | Flooring material (cement mortar) | 1.00 KN/m3 |
| 4 | Brick masonry | 19 KN/m3 |
Design constant
Using M20 and Fe415 grade of concrete and steel respectively for columns and footings
Therefore:
Fck – i. e. Characteristic strength for M15 – 15 N/mm2
Fck – i. e. Characteristic strength for M15 – 15 N/mm2
Fck – i. e. Characteristic strength for M20 – 20 N/mm2
Fy – i. e. Characteristic strength for steel – 415 N/mm2
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Types of Construction | Building Construction and Design
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on December 20, 2011
Building Construction | Civil Engineering and Design
Construction of buildings can be divided into three main categories:
- Load bearing construction
- Composite construction
- Framed construction
But among the three types, framed construction is widely used for all kinds of constructions.
An engineering structure is an assembly of number of elements transferring the loads and providing a form space to serve the desired function.
Building Construction and Design
The structural design is a science and art of designing, with economy and elegance, a durable structure is that which can safely carry the forces and can serve the desired function satisfactorily during its expected service life span.
The entire process of structural planning and designing requires not only imagination and conceptual thinking but of practical aspects, such as relevant design codes and byelaws, backed up by aple experience, institution and judgement.
The process of design commences with planning of a structure, primarily to meet the functional equipment of the user or client. The functional requirements and the aspects of the aesthetics looked into normally by an architect while the aspect of safety, serviceability, durability and economy of the structure for its intended use over the life span.
What is a building?
A building can be defined as a structure consisting of walls, floors, education, business, manufacturing, storage, hospitalization, entertainment, worship etc.
Normally all building are constructed according to drawings and specifications prepared by architects. Each city has prescribed building bye-laws to which building must confirm. The building bye-laws lay down norms like minimum front, side and rear backs, minimum height and area of habitable rooms, kitchen, bath, minimum area of windows, width of staircase etc, apart from respecting the bye-laws the building design should ensure optimum utilization of built-up space, thermal comfort, proper ventilation, desirable illumination and acoustical characteristics and it should satisfy the functional requirements of people who live and work in the building.
Consequences of Wrong Structural Design | RCC Structures
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on October 29, 2011
A lesson for all the Civil Engineers and Designers to learn
I got a project of designing (Architectural Design) a Hostel in Lucknow, India. The Structural design that is, column positions and wall construction was already done. The client wanted me to design a Hostel keeping the column positions and exterior wall construction intact. I have written this article to address all the Civil engineering students as well as Civil Engineers to avoid making such blunders while they design. Please do read this article because understanding the intensity of the job of a Civil Engineer is must for every student and professional. I guess this realization has been washed away and forgotten in the wave of commercialism.
Hostel Design, Lucknow, India
The client mailed me the layout of the existing construction. After I studied the layout, I figured out that the Column layout was pathetic. I wonder what kind of Civil Engineer must have made the layout or if at all any Civil Engineer has done it.
Errors in Construction
Wrong size of the Columns
The size of the columns was 9”x9” and the building is supposed to be constructed upto G+2 floors which is really disastrous for the structure.
It could lead to structural failure and ultimately structural collapse.
(The duty of the Civil Engineer is to understand and not make such dramatic blunders. The consequences of this kind of structural design could be disastrous.)
Column layout and Exterior wall Construction
9”x9” size columns are only preferred if you were to construct only a ground floor structure using M15 grade concrete. If you are to construct another floor that is (G+1), the minimum size of the column should not be less than 9”x12” using M15 grade concrete.
If the client insists on using smaller columns (9”x9”); in that case, use of M20 grade concrete should be done mandatorily and the construction should not be initiated before the client agrees to do so.
Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction, Civil Projects on September 9, 2011
Guidelines to be followed for making a column layout | Building Construction
Today, we will discuss something very general. Inspite of knowing these general thumb rules, Civil Engineers still end up making disastrous mistakes which would not only cost them but also cost the people living in the building designed by these engineers.
Earlier, I wrote an article describing one of my projects where structural designing was executed on site (which was extremely pathetic) even before Architectural design was done. (Check out: Consequences of Wrong Structural Design | Live Project example)
In this article, we will go through the essential thumb rules to be followed for giving a column layout. Ofcourse RCC columns have to be designed in accordance to the total load on the columns but apart from that it is essential for every Civil engineer and Architect to remember a few thumb rules so that they are prevented from making mistakes.
Three thumb rules to be followed are as follows:
- Size of the Columns
- Distance between Columns
- Alignment of columns
Thumb rule no.1
Size of the columns
The size of the columns depends on the total load on the columns.
Minimum size of the column should not be less than 9”x9”.
9”x9” columns are to be used for a single storey structure with M15 grade of concrete.
In case, 9”x9” column size is to be used for 1 and half storey structure, then it is advised to use M20 grade concrete.
A safe and structurally sound column size for a 1 and half storey structure should not be less than 12”x9” using M15 grade concrete. This should be in your most preferred and practical options list.
Building Design and Construction | Structural Design
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on August 4, 2011
Building Design Guide | Design of RCC Structures
Step by step procedure to building design
A building is composed of various structural components such as Foundations, Plinth beams, Columns, Beams, Slab, Staircase, Doors and Windows.
Building Design
Design of Foundation
- Design of Foundation – the most commonly used foundation is Column footing.
- Calculation of loads in Foundation Design
- Types of Foundations
Design of Beams
Beams are mainly classified into two types:
- Doubly reinforced beam (most commonly used in RCC Construction)
- Singly reinforced beam
Design of Columns