Intro to Structural Design

What is the main function of a building's structure?

What three characteristics must an engineer consider when designing a structure?

• Strength, Stability, Cost

• Visual Appeal, Stability, Cost

• Strength, Heat Resistance, Cost

• Strength, Fire Resistance, Conductivity

Provide three examples of structural sub-systems

An arch is an example of a structural

• system

• sub-system

• element

• relic

A __________ is any action that causes change in the shape or motion of an object

• force

• load

• shear

• truss

A ___________________ is a force that is supported by a structural element

• load

• force

• beam

• truss

Name the three types of forces a structural member can experience

Tension is a force that __________________

• Stretches or pulls apart

• squeezes a member together

• acts perpendicular to the axis of the member

Compression is a force that __________________

• Stretches or pulls apart

• squeezes a member together

• acts perpendicular to the axis of the member

Shear is a force that __________________

• Stretches or pulls apart

• squeezes a member together

• acts perpendicular to the axis of the member