Structural design: What is it and why is it important in construction?

Civil engineering is all about the details of any structure. Understanding every single detail of that structure is essential to analyse it effectively. To understand the structure, a new branch of civil engineering was introduced- structural engineering.

Structural engineering is the branch that revolves around the bones and muscles of a building, dam, road, and other such structures. With the help of this engineering branch, it is easier to understand a structure’s stability, strength, and rigidity. IThis article delves deeper into the concept of structural design.

See also: Building a structure: Important components and their purpose

What is structural design?

Structural design is one of the most crucial sections of civil engineering, which deals with methods or tools used to determine a structure’s safety measures and economic condition. Through the structural design analysis, it can be determined whether the structure can carry enough load. In the structural design of any system, all kinds of forces are described, like internal and external forces.

Structural design creates a bridge between architecture and structural engineering. Architecture deals with visual designs and home decor detailing, whereas structural design deals with all structures’ strength, durability, and safety.

What is the basis of structural design?

Structural design is a scientific way of analysing the strength and forces of the structure. It is based on physics and materials science. These subjects help ensure the structure can withstand all loads and forces applied internally and externally. Based on the structural design, all costs and effects are determined.

What is the functional design of a structure?

The structure being built should primarily serve a practical purpose and look attractive.

The building should provide a well-lit environment both inside and outside. Therefore, the functional planning of the building should consider the correct layout of the rooms/halls according to the client’s needs, good ventilation, lighting, acoustics, and unobstructed views in the case of community halls, cinemas, etc.

Structural design: Stages

You must go through a few steps to get the appropriate structural design, which is as follows.

1. Structural planning

After receiving the architectural blueprint of the building, the structure of the building frame is designed. Structural planning includes deciding on the following:

1. Position and orientation of columns
2. Positioning of beams
3. Spanning of slabs
4. Layouts of stairs
5. Selecting the proper type of footing

2. The action of forces and computation of loads

Various internal and external forces are applied to a structure. It can be wind, earthquake, materials, etc. All of these forces should be calculated beforehand.

3. Methods of analysis

Scientific methods of analysis should be engaged to determine how much load can be absorbed by the structure and how much cost is required to carry forward the design.

4. Member design

Member design includes details of columns, beams, pillars, etc.

5. Detailing, drawing, and preparation of schedules

After calculating all the details, the final structural drawing is planned, and the head structural engineer should approve the drawing.

Structural design: Objectives

The structural design has a few objectives, which are as follows.

• To ensure the safety of the structure.
• To acquire economic dimensions of the design.
• To carry all kinds of loads applied on the structure.

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