LESSON 4 TO 5: STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

A. Definition

Structural Engineering is a branch of civil engineering that deals with the application of
technology and scientific principles to the planning, analysis and design of structures
that support loads so that the structure will be safe, functional, effective, economical,
and environmentally compatible.

B. Delineation of Services

1. Consultation, research studies, reports

2. Planning
3. Design services for construction projects
4. Services related to structural evaluation of existing structures
5. Engineering support services
6. Academic services
7. Modelling and instrumentation
8. Demolition
9. Damage/disaster prevention and control
10. Resource utilization

C. General Topics

1. National Structural Code

The latest editions of the national structural codes are the National Structural
Code of the Philippines (NSCP) 2015, 7 th Edition, Volume I: Buildings,
Towers, and Other Vertical Structures and NSCP 1997, 2 nd Edition, Volume
II: Bridges.
 2. Theory of Structures (Structural Analysis) and Strength of Materials
(Mechanics of Deformable Bodies)

3. Vertical and Lateral Loads

Vertical Loads are defined as the weights coming from the structure itself,
furniture, equipment, machines, finishes, fixtures and the very people that
occupies or use the structure.

Lateral Loads usually are horizontal forces acting on a structure brought by

natural acts such as typhoons, earthquakes, floods, strong wind gusts, etc.

4. Design Philosophies

a. Working Stress Design (WSD) – considers the effective elastic

performance of reinforced concrete materials.

b. Ultimate Strength Design (USD) – considers the yield strength of

reinforcing steel bars and final fracture strength of concrete in reinforced
concrete materials

c. Allowable Stress Design (ASD) – considers the effective elastic

performance of structural steel materials.

d. Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) – considers the plastic

performance of structural steel materials.

D. Scope of Sub-Specialties
1. Buildings and Other Vertical Structures

Buildings and Other Vertical Structures Includes all structural engineering

services related to buildings, infrastructure, and support facilities.

This sub-specialty is primarily driven by the creative manipulation of materials

and forms and the underlying mathematical and scientific principles to
achieve an end which fulfills its functional requirements and is structurally
safe when subjected to all loads it could reasonably be expected to
experience, while being economical and practical to construct.

Topics under Buildings and Other Vertical Structures:

a. Buildings (dwellings, recreational, institutional, industrial)

b. Bridges
c. Towers and Antennas
d. Domes and Gymnasiums
e. Plates and Shells

f. Ports and Harbor Facilities

g. Piers, Groins, Dolphins
h. Offshore Platforms
 i. Machine Foundations
j. Piles and Caissons

2. Retaining, Containment and Underground/Underwater Structures

This sub-specialty deals with all structural engineering services related to

structures whose main function is to retain and/or contain materials.

Topics under Retaining, Containment and Underground/Underwater

Structures:

a. Dams and Reservoirs

b. Tsunami Walls
c. Breakwaters
d. Bins and Silos
 e. Flood Control and Drainage Structures
f. Tanks/Bunkers
g. Dikes
h. Pipes and Tunnels
i. Retaining Walls
j. Slope Protection
k. Underground and
l. Underwater Facilities

3. Structural Materials and Technology

This sub-specialty deals with the development of technology, study of

materials and creation of new materials which can be used in construction of
structures.

Topics in Material Resources and Technologies:

a. Timber and Wood

b. Stone and Masonry
c. Steel and Metals
d. Concrete and Reinforced Concrete
e. Pre and Post Tensioned Materials

f. Composite and Fiber Materials

g. Damping System
 h. Glass, Plastics, Synthetics and New Materials
i. Non-destructive Testing and Semi-Destructive Testing
j. Identification and Development of Non-Traditional Building Materials

4. Structural Mechanics and Dynamics

This sub-specialty deals with structural engineering services involve in the

use of computational/numerical methods, analytic models, geared to develop
structural engineering tools for use in the analysis and design of structures to
gain better understanding of the behavior of structures and materials.

Topics in Structural Mechanics and Dynamics:

a. Applied Mechanics
b. Elasticity, Plasticity and Buckling Analysis
c. Computational Methods
d. Linear and Non-linear Dynamic Analysis
e. Wind, Earthquake and Wave Mathematical Modeling and Simulations

E. Structural Engineering Frame Elements

1. Buildings
a. Roofing system – covers the structure from exposure to the sun and
harsh weather. Main frame usually formed by trusses.

b. Slabs (floor) – usually the first structural element to carry occupants and
other vertical loads. It has a very thin profile but covers large areas.
c. Beams – vary in function and purpose, horizontally aligned structural
elements which carry slabs and roofs and sometimes planted columns

d. Columns – vertically aligned structural elements which usually carry

beams and roofing systems. In most cases, columns start from the
bottom of the roof and end on top of the foundation.

e. Masonry (wall) – either load bearing or non-load bearing, it primarily

serves as vertical covering around a building.
 f. Foundation (substructure) – carries the entire superstructure and safely
transmit all weight towards the ground.

2. Bridge
 a. (Bridge) deck slab – carries vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

b. (Span) girders – carries the deck slab.

c. Bearing (pads) – carries the girders and allows small lateral movements
of the girders.

d. Pier Cap – distributes the loads from the supported bearing towards the
piers.

e. Pier – vertical element of a bridge which design consideration is weight

lifted and clearance requirements.

f. Pile Cap - distributes the loads from the supported piers towards the
piles.

g. Pile – the substructure of a bridge.

h. Parapet – serves as walls at both edges of the bridge to prevent falling of

vehicles and people.

i. Abutment – another vertical element of a bridge which resists the backfill

and supports the bearings at the start and end of the bridge.

j. Approach – transition of the road/highway towards the bridge.

3. Retaining wall
 a. Stem (arm) – vertical element that resist the backfill and lateral force
induced by the surcharge.

b. Heel – helps keep the retaining wall in position by being squeezed

between the backfill and supporting ground.

c. Toe – helps keep the retaining wall in position by effectively bearing

weight and resisting turnover.

d. Key – a short vertical element that resist sliding of the retaining wall due
to the backfill and lateral force induced by the surcharge.

SOURCES and REFERENCES:

1. Manual of Civil Engineering Specializations, 2013, by the Philippine Institute of

Civil Engineers
2. https://gharpedia.com/blog/what-are-the-building-structural-systems/
3. https://vincivilworld.com/2021/01/23/bridge-components-types-functions/
4. https://in.pinterest.com/pin/594545588282287403/