What is Structural Engineering?

(A) Structural Analysis Deals With	(B) Structure Design Deals with
(i)Arrangement of structural Elements	(i) Selection of material
(ii)Determination of internal forces	(ii) Preparation of the final layout of the structure
(iii) Determination of state of stresses or critical combination of stresses at various points	(iii) Design Drawing
(iv) External Reaction	(iv) Standard Specification

Structural analysis deals with

(i) Arrangements of Structural Elements

Structural analysis deals  with the development of suitable arrangement  of structural elements for the structures to support the external loads or the various critical  combinations of loads which are likely to act on the structures.

(ii) Determination of internal forces

The analysis also deals with the  determination of internal forces in the various members

Internal forces:

( a ) Axial forces

( b ) Bending moments

( c ) Shear forces

(iii) State of stresses or critical combination of stresses at the various points

 State of stresses or critical combination of stresses at the various points  which includes

the nature,

magnitude,

and direction

of these stresses

External Reactions

 and the external reactions  due to worst possible combination of the loads.

The external reactions are transmitted to the  foundation.

The methods of structural analysis and the principles involved in them remain  independent of the materials used for all types of structures, whether the structures are built  of plastics, timber, aluminium, steel or reinforced concrete.

Structural design deals with the

• selection of proper material,
• proper sizes,
• proportions and
• shape of each member
• and its connecting details.

( I ) Selection of material

• The selection is such that it is economical and  safe.

• It satisfies all the stress requirements imposed by the most severe combination of loads to  which the structure is required to transmit or resist including its self-weight.

( ii )Preparation of final layout of the structure.

 The structural  design further deals with the preparation of final layout of the structure.

( iii ) Design  drawings

• The finished design  drawings with all partinent or controlling dimensions for all the members, parts and connections  are made.

• The finished design drawings are necessary for fabrication and construction.

( iv ) Standard Specification

• The structural design is governed with the standard specifications.
• The hand-books are  used as working tools in the structural design