Posts Tagged structural design software
Wide Flange Steel Columns
Posted by Staff Writer in General Engineering, Latest News on July 30th, 2008
Wide flange steel columns are used in structural design to add strength and stability to a structure that will support heavy loads. Wide flange steel column are most often used in commercial construction, such as the construction of high rise buildings. A structural engineer has many different types of columns and materials to choose from when designing a high rise building.
Columns Used in the Construction of High Rise Buildings
When designing high rise buildings, structural engineers may utilize several different types of columns to support the structure. When designing a structure, the structural engineer must consider the design of stud walls, laterally loaded columns, and built up columns. He or she must also consider the effects of loading, sheer, and moment on the selected columns of the structure.
Columns may be constructed of steel, wood, concrete, or manmade building materials such as composites, solid sawn lumber, and glulams. The structural engineer considers the limitations and benefits of using each type of column and selects a material that meets the design specifications and budget limitations.
Wide flange steel columns help disperse the weight load of a structure back into the outer walls of the structure, making the building more stable even when fully loaded with furniture, equipment, and people.
Structural engineering involves designing stable structures through the use of various known physical properties and theories. Mathematical equations help the structural engineer design sound structures such as high rise buildings, homes, and bridges.
Structural engineers often utilize structural design software programs to help them sort through the many options available when designing a building. Structural engineering design software helps structural engineers adhere to local, federal, and international building codes while designing a structurally sound building within the client’s specifications and budget.
Structural engineers use wide flange steel columns is designing structures in many different areas of construction. Wide flange steel columns are a cost effective way for structural engineers to design stable, high rise structures. Specific design elements can drastically affect the stability and visual appeal of a structure.
Wide flange steel columns are an important part of the structural engineer’s tool kit when designing high rise buildings. Structural engineers can use structural design software programs to assist them in selecting the proper building materials and design elements to achieve spectacular results.
Normal Stress, Bending Stress, & Shear Stress
Posted by Adam Wilson in Engineering Resources on December 4th, 2007
Stresses in Beams
In a separate article entitled “Structural Analysis of a Beam” there was a brief discussion of stresses and their function in structural analysis. In this article there will be a more in dept discussion of normal, bending, and shear stress.
Normal Stress
A normal stress is a stress that occurs when a member is loaded by an axial force. The value of the normal force for any prismatic section is simply the force divided by the cross sectional area.
A normal stress will occur when a member is placed in tension or compression. Examples of members experiencing pure normal forces would include columns, collar ties, etc.
Bending Stress
When a member is being loaded similar to that in figure one bending stress (or flexure stress) will result. Bending stress is a more specific type of normal stress. When a beam experiences load like that shown in figure one the top fibers of the beam undergo a normal compressive stress. The stress at the horizontal plane of the neutral is zero. The bottom fibers of the beam undergo a normal tensile stress. It can be concluded therefore that the value of the bending stress will vary linearly with distance from the neutral axis.
Calculating the maximum bending stress is crucial for determining the adequacy of beams, rafters, joists, etc.
Shear Stress
Normal stress is a result of load applied perpendicular to a member. Shear stress however results when a load is applied parallel to an area. Looking again at figure one, it can be seen that both bending and shear stresses will develop. Like in bending stress, shear stress will vary across the cross sectional area.
Calculating the maximum shear stress is also crucial for determining the adequacy of beams, rafters, joists, etc.
Final Considerations
When doing any kind of beam design using structural design software will greatly ease the entire process of calculating stresses. There are several different engineering design software packages available for beams, columns, or foundation design. StruCalc, Enercalc, Risa, and BeamChek will all take in to account normal and shear stresses when doing any kind of beam design.
Josh Parker, E.I.T.
Cascade Design Group
