What is a structure? A system of connected parts used to support a load.

What are the factors an engineer must consider Safety, aesthetics, serviceability, economic and
when designing a structure? environmental constraints.

What is the design process for a structure? It requires several independent studies of different
solutions before final judgment can be made as to
which structural form is most appropriate.

What knowledge is required for designing a A fundamental knowledge of material properties

structure? and the laws of mechanics which govern material
response.

What is the purpose of analyzing a structure? To ensure that it has its required stiffness and
strength.

What idealizations must be made when analyzing a How the members are supported and connected
structure? together.

How are the loadings of a structure determined? From codes and local specifications.

What is the theory of structural analysis used for? To find the forces in the members and their
displacement.

What can the result of a structural analysis be used To redesign the structure, accounting for any
for? deficiencies found in the initial design.

at are tie rods? Tie rods are structural members subjected to a

tensile force and are often referred to as tie rods or
bracing struts.

What materials are tie rods often chosen from? Tie rods are often chosen from rods, bars, angles,
or channels.

What are beams used for? Beams are usually straight horizontal members
used primarily to carry vertical loads.

How are beams classified? Beams are often classified according to the way
they are supported, such as simply supported
beam, cantilevered beam, fixed-supported beam, or
continuous beam.
What is the importance of recognizing the various It is important for a structural engineer to recognize
types of elements composing a structure? the various types of elements composing a
structure and to be able to classify structures as to
their form and function.

What is the result of a structural analysis? The result of a structural analysis can be used to
redesign a structure, accounting for a more
accurate determination of the weight of the
members and their size.

What is the process of structural design? Structural design follows a series of successive
approximations in which every cycle requires a
structural analysis.

What is the primary purpose of designing beams? To resist bending moment.

What force may govern the design of a short beam Internal shear force.
carrying large loads?

What is the most efficient cross section for a beam Wide flange.
made of steel or alumina?

What is the mechanism by which the web of a wide It is effective in resisting the applied shear force V.
flange beam resists applied shear?

What is a tapered flange cross section used for in It is selected when shorter lengths are needed.
beam design?

When might a beam require a cross section in the When the cross section varies.
form of a built-up or haunched beam?

What is a plate girder? A member fabricated by using a large plate for the
web and welding or bolting plates to its ends for
flanges.

Why are steel "reinforcing rods" cast into concrete Because concrete is rather weak in resisting
beams? tension.

What are precast concrete beams or girders? Beams or girders that are fabricated at a shop or
yard in the same manner and then transported to
the job site.
How are laminated beams constructed? Laminated beams are constructed from slid
sections of wood, which are fastened together using
high-strength glues.

What are columns? Members that are generally vertical and resist axial
compressive loads.

Why are tubes and wide-flange cross sections often Because they provide greater resistance to
used for columns? buckling.

What does the design of a column depend on? The magnitude and direction of the applied loads,
as well as the length and end conditions of the
column.

What materials can columns be made from? Steel, concrete, and wood.

What are columns? Members that are generally vertical and resist axial
compressive loads.

What are the commonly used cross sections for Tubes and wide-flange cross sections.
metal columns?

What are the commonly used cross sections for Circular and square cross sections with reinforcing
concrete columns? rods.

What are beam columns? Members that are subjected to both an axial load
and a bending moment.

What is a structural system? The combination of structural elements and the

materials from which they are composed.

What are the four basic types of structures ranked Trusses, frames, arches, and cables.
in order of complexity of their force analysis?

What are trusses? Slender elements, usually arranged in triangular

fashion, used for large span structures where depth
is not an important criterion for design.

What are planar trusses? Trusses composed of members that lie in the same
plane and are frequently used for bridge and roof
support.
What are space trusses? Trusses with members extending in three
dimensions and are suitable for derricks and
towers.

What is the primary advantage of a truss compared A truss uses less material to support a given load.
to a beam?

What are cables commonly used for? Cables are commonly used to support bridges and
building roofs.

What is the advantage of using cables for spans Cables will not become unstable and suddenly
greater than 150 ft (46 m)? collapse, as may happen with beams or trusses.

What limits the use of cables? The use of cables is limited only by their sag,
weight, and methods of anchorage.

How does an arch achieve its strength? An arch achieves its strength in compression, since
it has a reverse curvature to that of the cable.

What is the primary source of strength for arches? Compression.

What is the secondary loading involved in arch Shear and moment.

design?

What are some common uses of arches in Bridge structure, dome roofs, and openings in
construction? masonry walls.

What are frames composed of in buildings? Beams and columns.

What is the difference between pin and fixed Pin connected frames are determinate, while fixed
connected frames? connected frames are generally indeterminate from
a standpoint of analysis.

What is the primary source of strength for frames Moment interactions between the beams and
with rigid joint connections? columns at the rigid joints.

What are surface structures made from? A material with very small thickness compared to its
other dimensions.

What is the primary force that surface structures are Pure tension.
subjected to?
What is prestressing in surface structures? A method to increase their stiffness and strength.

What are some examples of surface structures? Tents, air-supported roofs, and cable-stayed roofs.

What is the definition of a thin plate or shell A structure made of rigid material such as
structure? reinforced concrete that may be shaped as folded
plates, cylinders, or hyperbolic paraboloids, and
supports loads primarily in tension or compression
with very little bending.

What makes plate or shell structures difficult to The three-dimensional geometry of their surface.
analyze?

What is an example of a thin membrane structure? The roof of the "Georgia Dome" in Atlanta, Georgia.

Why is it important to determine the loads a To ensure the structure can withstand the
structure must support? anticipated loads and to choose the appropriate
type of structure for design.

What type of structure is typically chosen for Shear walls and tubular frame systems.
high-rise buildings that must endure large lateral
loadings caused by wind?

What are shear walls and tubular frame systems They are selected to endure large lateral loadings
used for in building design? caused by wind.

What type of frames and connections are used in Ductile frames and connections are used.
buildings located in areas prone to earthquakes?

What is the first element that is designed in a The building floor slab is designed first.
building's structure?

What is the last element that is designed in a The foundation footing is designed last.
building's structure?

What is the first step in designing a structure? The first step is to specify the loads that act on it.

What are general building codes? They specify the requirements of governmental
bodies for minimum design loads on structures and
minimum standards for construction.
What are design codes? They provide detailed technical standards and are
used to establish the requirements for the actual
structural design.

What is the purpose of design codes in building They are used to establish the requirements for the
design? actual structural design.

What is the purpose of the codes listed in the text? They are used to establish the requirements for the
actual structural design.

What is the ASCE/SEI 7-10? It is the Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and
Other Structures code published by the American
Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

What is the American Concrete Institute (ACI)? It is the organization that publishes the Building
Code Requirement for Reinforced Concrete.

What is the American Institute of Steel Construction It is the organization that publishes the Manual of
(AISC)? Steel Construction.

What is the American Association of State Highway It is the organization that publishes the Standard
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)? Specifications for Highway Bridges.

What is the American Forest and Paper Association It is the organization that publishes the National
(AFPA)? Design Specification for Wood Construction.

What is the American Railway Engineering It is the organization that publishes the Manual for
Association (AREA)? Railway Engineering.

What is the National Building Code of the It is the code published by the Department of Public
Philippines? Works and Highways (DPWH) used in the
Philippines.

What is the National Structural Code of the It is the code published by the Association of
Philippines? Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) used
in the Philippines.

What are Dead Loads? Dead Loads consist of the weights of the various
structural members and the weights of any object
that are permanently attached to the structure.