THE COPPERBELTUNIVERSITY

School of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering and Construction

CE530: Structural Design

Exercises

Question one
A part-flow plan for an office building is shown below. The floor is to consist of restrained 180
mm thick slabs poured monolithically with edge beams. The design data is:
i. Characteristic dead load (including self-weight), gk = 6.2 kN/m2.
ii. Characteristic imposed load, qk = 2.5 kN/m2.
iii. Concrete grade, fcu = 30 N/mm2.
iv. Reinforcement steel grade, fy = 460 N/mm2.
v. Mild exposure; cover = 20 mm.

Using the design data given, design suitable reinforcement for a corner slab.

Question two
A short braced concrete column is subjected to an ultimate applied load of 3000 kN and a nominal
moment only. The design data is:
i. Concrete strength, fcu = 30 N/mm2.
ii. Reinforcing steel, fy = 460 N/mm2.
iii. Width of column, b = 350 mm.
 iv. Depth of column h = 375 mm.
v. End condition at the top for x-x axis is 1.
vi. End condition at the top for y-y axis is 2.
vii. End condition at the bottom for x-x axis is 3.
viii. End condition at the bottom for y-y axis is 3.
ix. Clear height between end restraints about both axes = 5.0 m.
Using the design data given:
i. Check that the column is short.
ii. Determine the required area of main reinforcement.
iii. Determine suitable links.
Question three.
A pad foundation is required to support a single square column transferring an axial load only.
The design data are:
i. Characteristic dead load on column = 800 kN.
ii. Characteristic imposed load on column = 300 kN.
iii. Concrete grade fcu = 30 N/mm2.
iv. Reinforcing steel grade, fy = 460 N/mm2.
v. Permissible ground pressure, pg = 200 kN/m2.
vi. Column dimensions, 375 x 375 mm.
vii. Severe exposure, cover = 40 mm.
Using the data given:
i. Determine a suitable base size.
ii. Check the base with respect to:
• bending.
• Direct shear.
• Punching shear.
Question four
Determine the section classification of the section indicated below considering the following
loading conditions:
Section: 610 x 229 x 125UB S275
a) Pure bending
b) Pure compression
i. Axial load 3200 kN.
ii. Axial load 4350 kN.
Question five
The simply supported universal beam (UB) shown below supports uniformly distributed
characteristic dead and imposed loads of 5 kN/m each, as well as a characteristic imposed point
load of 30 kN at mid-span.

Assuming the beam is fully laterally retrained and there is nominal torsional restrain at supports:
i. Select a suitable universal beam (UB) section in S275 steel to satisfy bending and shear
considerations.
ii. Carry out a deflection check.
iii. Check web bearing and buckling assuming the beam sits on 100 mm bearing at each end.
iv. Design stiffeners if they are required.

Question six
Assuming that the beam in question five is not laterally restrained, determine whether the selected
is suitable, and if not, select one that which is suitable. Assume the compression flange is laterally
restrained and the beam is fully restrained against torsion at supports, but both flanges are free to
rotate on plan (refer to tables 13, 18, 19 and 20).
Question seven
A proposed 5.0-meter-long internal column in a rigid jointed steel structure is to be loaded with
1000 kN dead and 1000 kN imposed load. Assuming that fixity at the top and bottom of the
column gives effective rotational restraints. Design column sections assuming the structure will be
(a) braced and (b) unbraced.
Question eight
Select a suitable column section in grade S275 steel to support a factored axial load of 2000 kN
and a factored bending moment of 100 kNm about the major axis, and 20 kNm about the minor
axis, applied at both ends of the column. The column is 10 m long and is fully fixed against rotation
at top and bottom and is not subject to sway.