EMPOWERMENT TECHNOLOGY

LESSON 3: STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Settlement Load - Settlement is the downward movement of the ground caused by a load consolidating
the soil below it or causing displacement of the soil.

Types of House Settlement

Uniform settlement - is when the home settles

evenly at all four corners. It sinks down without
tilting or where one section settles more than
another.

Tipping settlement - is basically where one end or

side of the home’s foundation stays in place and the
opposite side or end drops down, but the foundation
stays intact. You could say the house tilts or leans.

Differential settlement - is basically where one portion of the foundation stays in place and one part of
the foundation drops down or shifts. This means that the foundation and home will probably suffer
more damage than will occur with uniform or tipping settlement.

Roof Framing - The roof framing is the structure that supports your roof.

A Metal Frame is stronger and will stand up better to natural disasters such as
fire, strong winds and earthquakes. Although a steel frame may corrode in
coastal areas, metal won't warp or rot and is resistant to termites.

Lumber is by far the most common material for house framing in the Philippines.
This is largely due to price - a lumber frame is significantly cheaper than a metal
one. As a result, there are a lot more tradesmen who work with lumber frames
and the competition reduces prices even further.

Basic Elements of Roof Framing

1. Collar Tie: is a tension tie in the upper third of opposing gable rafters that is intended to resist
rafter separation from the ridge beam during periods of unbalanced loads, such as that caused
by wind uplift, or unbalanced roof loads from snow.
2. Rafter: Typically run from the ridge board or hip of the roof at a sloping angle to the roof wall
plate, columns, or roof beams, depending on the support system adopted for the entire roof
structure.
3. Ridge Board: connects the upper ends of the rafters forming the apex of the triangle. Typically, a
ceiling joist spanning from opposite exterior walls connects the lower ends of the rafters
together, forming the base and completing the triangle.
4. Ceiling Joist: are the horizontal structural members that span your ceiling and are responsible
for transferring roof loads to vertical members. Without these members, your home would cave
in.
5. Tail: Rafters often extend beyond the exterior walls to form eaves (also called overhangs) that
protect the sides of the house from sun and water damage. The tail is the portion of the rafter
that extends beyond the wall of the building to form the eave.
Eaves - the part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building.

Floor Systems
Concrete Slab or a Wood Framed Floor

When choosing what type of floor system will be best for a project, several factors need to be
considered. Site topography, where the house will be located on the site, seasonal groundwater levels,
the number of floor levels the home will have, the type of heat desired, and budget constraints all need
to be weighed before making a decision.
1. Concrete Slab
- It is a horizontal surface made of cast concrete usually reinforced with reinforcing bars or
welded wire mesh. Concrete flooring can be used in residential, commercial, institutional &
public buildings of all types.

Advantages of Concrete Flooring

• Cost of Maintenance - it is easy to clean, polish and maintain thus it does not require
much cost in maintenance.
• Fire Resistant - it is non-combustible material and can be used for fire hazardous
buildings.
• Durability - it must outlast most of other components of the building.
• Stiffness - it must be designed to carry the imposed loading, that it will not deflect under
the applied load.
• Energy Efficiency - it can easily dissipate the heat it absorbs. No need for the use of
other appliances - Electric Fans & etc.
• Speed of Construction - there is no complex process when making Concrete floors thus
it speeds up the process of construction.
• Damp Resistance - it is non-absorbent and hence offers sufficient resistance to
dampness.
Disadvantages of Concrete Flooring
 Defects on Concrete floors are not easy to rectify.
 The concrete flooring cannot be satisfactorily repaired by patch work
 It does not possess very satisfying insulation properties against sound & heat

2. Wood Framed Floor

- Wood framing, or light frame construction, is the assembly of dimensional lumber or
engineered wood lumber that is regularly spaced and fastened together with nails and
screws to create floor assemblies.

Advantages of Wood Framed Floor

 A Variety of Styles: Wood is a very flexible kind of flooring and available in many styles
and colors. You can choose from oak, cherry, walnut, and other woods, then use different
stains and colors to create your own unique look. Best of all, you can refinish or repaint your
floors to give the same flooring an update when you wish. Wood planks can be arranged in
different formations for a different look and even different widths are available for
completely different styles, meaning wood floors can work with modern and classic décor.
 Simple Maintenance: Wood floors can be vacuumed or swept. They can also benefit
from wood cleaners once in a while, but they do last a long time. Properly maintained floors
have lasted in century homes for a hundred years or more.
 Added Home Value: Many homebuyers love seeing wood floors, as their stylishness and
timelessness can add to the value of your home.
Disadvantages of Wood Framed Floor
 The Need for Occasional Refinishing: Wood floors will show scuffs, scratches and other wear
over time. They can be refinished and will likely require it, especially in high-traffic areas.
Refinishing is an expense you will need to consider. You will also want to consider that
refinishing will mean you need to move everything out of the room. The process will create
dust and noise — as well as fumes from the polyurethane used — and you will need to plan
and prepare for this.
 Louder Footsteps: Wood floors can be noisier than other options. Unlike carpet and
some other floor solutions, wood floors do not absorb sound. You may want to add rugs to
muffle the sound.
 Not Resistant to Humidity: Wood can be damaged by spills, standing liquids, and
humidity which is why wood floors are not recommend for areas of high moisture and
humidity such as full bathrooms.