HAWASSA UNIVERSTIY

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF CIVIL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

THEORY AND DESIGN OF STRUCTURE III (CEng3033)

NAME : LIDETECHRISTOS ZINABU 1969/14

SUBMITTED TO: Mr.SORESA

B.
 Conservative structural design
Conservative structural design in architecture refers to an approach that prioritizes safety, durability,
and reliability when designing buildings and other structures. This design philosophy involves the use
of industry best practices, established design standards, and safety factors to ensure that structures
can withstand various loads and environmental conditions while providing a secure and stable
environment for occupants.
Load-Bearing Capacity,Material Selection,Load Factors, Compliance with Codes and Standards
Structural Analysis,Long-Term Performance
The principles of conservative structural design are foundational to creating buildings and structures
that are safe, durable, and reliable. By using conservative design principles, architects and engineers
can ensure that structures have sufficient strength and stability to withstand various loads and
environmental conditions. Here are the key principles of conservative structural design:
Safety and Reliability
The primary focus of conservative design is to prioritize safety and reliability. This involves accounting
for anticipated loads, such as dead loads, live loads, wind, seismic forces, and other environmental
factors, with a safety margin to ensure the structure's stability and integrity under a range of
conditions.
Application of Safety Factors
Safety factors are utilized to account for uncertainties and variations in actual loads and material
properties. These factors are incorporated into the design to provide an additional margin of safety,
ensuring that the structure has the necessary strength and resilience to support its intended use over
time.
Adherence to Building Codes and Standards
Conservative design principles require adherence to local building codes and industry standards.
These codes provide minimum safety requirements for structural design and construction, ensuring
that the structure meets established safety guidelines and quality standards.
Robust Material Selection
The use of robust and dependable building materials, such as steel, reinforced concrete, and timber,
is essential in conservative design. These materials are selected based on their strength, durability,
and ability to provide the necessary support for the structure's intended use.
Redundancy and Reliability
Conservative design incorporates redundancy in structural systems, allowing for alternate load paths
and backup systems. This redundancy enhances the safety margin and reliability of the structure,
safeguarding against potential structural failures.
Structural Analysis and Testing
Thorough structural analysis and testing are critical components of conservative design. These
processes validate the soundness of the design and identify potential weaknesses, ensuring that the
structure meets safety and performance requirements.
Long-Term Performance
A conservative approach accounts for the long-term performance of the structure, considering factors
that could impact the structure's integrity over time. This includes accounting for aging, material
degradation, environmental conditions, and potential changes in use or occupancy.
Risk Mitigation
Conservative design principles anticipate potential risks and ensure that the design mitigates these
risks. This involves identifying vulnerable areas in the design, such as potential failure points or weak
connections, and developing strategies to mitigate these risks.
Environmental Resilience
Considering the impact of climate change and environmental factors, such as seismic activity,
flooding, or extreme weather, is integral to conservative design. This ensures that structures are
resilient and able to withstand such conditions
Examples
1. Axum Obelisks
The Axum obelisks are striking examples of conservative design principles in Ethiopian architecture.
Carved from single pieces of stone.

2. Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches

The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela represent a unique form of architectural conservatism. Carved
directly into the solid rock below ground level, these churches showcase a preservation of natural
resources, as well as a symbiotic relationship with the environment. The use of local materials ties
directly to the preservation of traditional building techniques and indigenous craftsmanship.

3. Gondar Castle Complex

The construction of the Gondar Castle complex, particularly the
Fasil Ghebbi, typifies conservative design principles in its
utilization of locally sourced stone and its enduring structural
design. Stonemasonry techniques, a hallmark of conservative
design, are prominent within this historical complex, reflecting the
cultural and historical significance of traditional construction
methods.

4.Traditional Ethiopian Hut

The traditional Ethiopian hut, embodies conservative design
practices through its use of locally available materials such as stone,
wood, and thatch. The design emphasizes sustainability, resource
efficiency, and the preservation of local building traditions,
showcasing an enduring connection to indigenous building methods.

Advantages of employing conservative structural design strategies include:

Material usage: Conservative design strategies typically result in lower material usage, as they
prioritize safety and reliability over minimizing material costs. This can lead to more efficient use of
resources and reduced environmental impact.
Cost: While conservative design may initially require higher material costs, it can lead to long-term
cost savings by reducing the need for maintenance and repairs, as well as minimizing the risk of
structural failure.
Aesthetics: Conservative design can often result in more traditional and robust architectural forms,
which may be perceived as aesthetically pleasing in certain contexts.
Resilience: Conservative designs are generally more resilient to extreme loads and environmental
conditions, which can enhance the overall safety and longevity of the structure.

Disadvantages of employing conservative structural design strategies include :

1. Material usage: Conservative designs may require more materials than strictly necessary, leading
to higher initial construction costs and potentially greater environmental impact.
2. Cost: The initial construction costs of conservative designs may be higher due to the use of
additional materials and more robust construction methods.
3. Aesthetics: Some may perceive conservative designs as less innovative or visually interesting
compared to more modern or experimental design approaches.
4. Resilience: While conservative designs prioritize safety and reliability, they may be less adaptable
to changing needs or future modifications, potentially limiting the flexibility of the structure.

Hanger structural system

A hanger structural system refers to a type of structural support arrangement commonly used in
construction and engineering. This system involves the use of hangers, which are elements designed
to suspend or support various components of a structure, such as beams, trusses, or other load-
bearing members.Hanger structural systems can be found in a wide range of construction projects,
including bridges, buildings, industrial facilities, and infrastructure. They play a critical role in
supporting components that need to be suspended from above or attached to an overhead structure.
A rod hanger structure is a type of support system used in
construction and engineering to suspend various types of
equipment, piping, duct work, or other components from a
building's ceiling or structural framework. The rod hanger
structure typically consists of a series of rods, hangers, and
attachments.

A cable hanger Unlike rod hanger structures, which use steel rods for
support, cable hanger structures employ steel cables or wire ropes to
suspend the load.

A truss hanger structure is a type of support system support the load-

bearing members of a truss, which is a framework of beams, girders, or
other structural elements that form a rigid framework. Trusses are
commonly used in building construction to provide support for roofs,
bridges, and other structures.
The materials used for constructing hangers may vary depending on the
specific application and requirements. Here are some commonly used materials and their properties
in engineering hanger systems:
Steel: Steel is a popular choice for engineering hangers due to its high strength and durability. It can
support heavy loads and withstand harsh environmental conditions.
Aluminum: Aluminum hangers offer a lightweight alternative to steel while maintaining good strength
properties. Aluminum hangers also have excellent corrosion resistance, especially when coated.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel hangers are known for their superior corrosion resistance compared to
regular steel. Stainless steel hangers also have excellent strength properties and can withstand
extreme temperatures.
Galvanized Steel: Galvanized steel hangers are coated with a layer of zinc to enhance corrosion
resistance.Galvanized steel hangers are commonly used in outdoor settings or places prone to
moisture or rust.
PVC or Plastic Coated Hangers: They are commonly used in applications where contact with electrical
wires or cables is involved.
The structural forces at play in a hanger system include:
Tension: Hanger systems are typically designed to support loads through tension forces. The weight
of the objects being hung creates a tensile force on the hanger.
Shear: In addition to tension, hanger systems may also experience shear forces, especially if the load
being supported is subject to lateral movement or vibration.
Compression: Depending on the design of the hanger system, compression forces may also come into
play, especially in more complex or multi-component systems.

These structural forces impact design considerations in several ways:

- Material selection: The choice of materials for the hanger system must take into account the tensile,
shear, and compression forces it will experience. For example, high-strength steel or aluminum alloys
may be used to provide the necessary strength and rigidity.
- Geometry and shape: The shape and geometry of the hanger components are critical in distributing
the forces effectively and minimizing stress concentrations. Curved or angled designs can help
distribute loads more evenly and reduce the risk of failure.
- Mounting and support: The method of mounting the hanger system to the supporting structure
must also be carefully considered to ensure that it can withstand the applied forces without causing
damage to the structure.
- Safety factors: Designers must apply appropriate safety factors to account for uncertainties in
loading, material properties, and other factors to ensure that the hanger system is capable of
supporting the intended loads without failure.