Who is a Structural Engineer?

By

-

December 21, 2022

Table of Contents

Structural engineering is a field of civil engineering that is concerned with the analysis and design of structures and infrastructures such as buildings, bridges, retaining walls, water-retaining structures, towers, masts, etc. By implication, structural engineers are responsible for the design of structures and infrastructures that serve the benefit of mankind.

A structural engineer uses the principles of mathematics and applied physics to develop solutions that will guarantee the safety and stability of structures in the most economical way. A structure is commonly defined as a system of connected parts designed to resist loads.

In buildings, while an architect is concerned with aesthetics and optimal arrangement of spaces and fenestrations, a structural engineer is concerned with the safety, stability, and integrity of the building. In other words, his commitment is to ensure that the building will safely withstand all loads without collapsing in part or in whole.

The stability of tall buildings is a work of structural engineering

The expertise and skills of a structural engineer require that they should be able to provide leadership, innovation, supervision, and adequate technical skills that will ensure that their designs are built according to their details and specifications. A professional structural engineer should be in touch with the real world, and be current with the latest industry innovations in materials, codes of practice, requirements, and government policies and legislations.

Where do structural engineers work?

Structural engineers are found in diverse fields of endeavour such as in academia as tutors and researchers, independent practitioners (self-employed consultants), construction companies, consultancy firms, government agencies and ministries, oil and gas industries, maritime and logistics, etc. Their roles are often interwoven between design and supervision. They also represent the interests of their employers by checking or reviewing the designs done by other engineers, before granting approval.

During the design and construction of buildings and other municipal infrastructures, a structural engineer works closely with architects, town planners, geotechnical engineers, surveyors, and MEP engineers.

Becoming a structural engineer

In the modern world, it is impossible to become a structural engineer by trade. The art and science of structural engineering are fairly technical in that it requires a dedicated university degree, and adequate professional training before someone can be considered a structural engineer.

Most structural engineers have civil engineering as their first degree, and most of them go ahead to obtain a Master’s degree or PhD in structural engineering. However, in some countries or universities, it is possible to study structural engineering as a first-degree course. It is important to note that having a first degree in engineering does not make one a professional engineer, but a registrable engineer. Graduate engineers are often required to practice for about four years before applying to become professional engineers.

To become professional, it is expected that an engineering graduate registers, and passes all professional exams and interviews in order to be recognised as a professional. Some of the professional bodies for civil engineers are the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), etc. The person is also expected to fulfil the requirements of the state or country where they practice engineering in order to be licenced.

Typical Structural Engineering Courses

Some of the core courses that make up structural engineering in universities are:

Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Mechanics: Statics
Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics
Strength of Materials
Theory of structures (Structural Analysis)
Design of reinforced concrete structures
Design of steel structures
Design of timber structures
Structural detailing
Matrix analysis of structures
Civil Engineering Materials
Dynamics of structures
Foundation/Soil Engineering

These courses are usually adequate for the technical knowledge required of a structural engineer at the undergraduate level.

At the post-graduate level, the following courses are usually treated in deeper detail, even though they are introduced at the undergraduate level:

Advanced Design of Structures
Advanced Structural Analysis
Bridge design
Theory of plates and shells
Stability of structures
Computational/Variational Structural mechanics
Dynamics of structures and earthquake engineering
Plastic and non-linear analysis of structures
Fire Engineering
Sustainable design etc

However, the type and number of courses offered at the postgraduate level vary from institution to institution. Sometimes, the courses are pushed towards the research interests of the Department.

The Practice of Structural Engineering

Armed with the knowledge from these courses and adequate field experience, a structural engineer is able to assess the loads expected to act on a structure, the effects of the load on the structure, and provide adequate members and details to withstand the load. A structure is expected to perform satisfactorily throughout its design life without undergoing excessive deflection, vibration, cracking, or final failure.

A modern structural engineer is expected to have very good computer skills, and the use of CAD software such as AUTOCAD is almost inevitable these days. Furthermore, the use of spreadsheets, structural design software, and 3D modelling software also come in handy. However, all structural engineers should be able to perform very quick checks and calculations using pen and paper.

Typical structural engineering model (Source: autodesk.com)

The communication skills (written and oral) of a structural engineer should be top-notch, with a touch of class. This is because more often than not, structural engineers write reports and evaluations. He/she should also have very good people skills and adequate knowledge of the economy and politics, as feedback and site inspections are part of the job. A structural engineer should be able to provide objective information and feedback that resonates with real-world experience.

A structural engineer is people-oriented, and the safety of the public and end-users of his/her design tops the list of priorities. At the same time, he/she tries to ensure that the solutions proposed are not unreasonably expensive. Careful attention is also paid to the beauty and harmony of the final output.

A structural engineer is a good planner who knows that there are implications to every decision made during any design. So when next you come across a structural engineer, ask for his/her favourite drink, and get it for him/her right away.

Mechanically Stabilised Earth (MSE) Walls

By

Ubani Obinna

-

December 20, 2022

Table of Contents

Since ancient times, people all over the world have practised the art of strengthening earthen structures with brushwood, bamboo, straw, and other materials of a similar nature. The additional strength added by such reinforcements gave birth to mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) walls and structures.

In the year 1963, a French architect and engineer named Henri Vidal was successful in obtaining a patent for a general configuration of applying the aforementioned principle to the construction of embankments. It was adopted for retaining walls, bridge abutments, dams, foundations, and several other applications on a global scale.

The following three fundamental elements make up the patented general configuration, as shown in Figure 1.

**Figure 1:** Basic components of mechanically stabilised earth walls (Varghese, 2012)

The earthfill (often chosen granular materials passing US sieve no. 200 with less than 15%).
Soil reinforcement. Currently, this takes the shape of metal strips, geotextiles, or wire grids that are attached to the facing unit and extend enough into the earth backfill. To reduce the length of the anchorage length required, special end anchorages can also be offered.
The facing unit (this is usually made of metal or concrete blocks made to maintain an aesthetic appearance of the structure and prevent soil erosion).

The Mechanism of MSE Wall

The friction generated at the soil reinforcement interfaces to stop the relative motion of the soil and reinforcement is an important component of the MSE mechanism. The reinforcements provide an apparent cohesion proportionate to the density and tensile resistance of the reinforcement and limit the lateral deformation of the reinforced earth mass.

**Figure 2:** Design of reinforced earth walls: (a) Coulomb’s failure plane AEF and failure plane observed by tests AE¢G; (b) usual assumption for calculation of earth pressures using Rankine’s theory for conservative design (Varghese, 2012)

Depending on the type of structure and the loading conditions, the greatest tensile force in the reinforcement occurs at a distance from the mechanically stabilised earth wall. The reinforced earth is separated into the two zones shown below along this line of maximal tensile force;

An active zone behind the facing where the shear forces are directed outward giving rise to an increase of tensile forces in the reinforcements.
A resistant zone, where the shear stresses are mobilized to prevent the sliding of the reinforcement which is directed towards the free end of the reinforcement inside the embankment.

**Figure 3:** Assumed vertical pressure in soil due to concentrated loads on earth fill (Varghese, 2012)

Full-scale experiments and observations show that the behaviour of reinforced earth walls is quite different from that of classical retaining walls. The locus of the maximum tensile force in the reinforcement has been found to be different from Coulomb’s failure plane.

The remarkable features of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) are the following:

Strength – It can resist significant earth pressure and seismic force.
Flexibility – They are flexible gravity structures. It adapts to substandard foundation soils and large settlements. (This is one of its main advantages over rigid walls.)
Construction – It can be easily constructed by untrained labour.
Low costs – Costs are low.
Aesthetic factors – It has good appearance as the facing can be made of attractive designs.

MSE Wall in construction — **Figure 4**: Mechanically stabilised earth wall in construction

Design of Mechanically Stabilised Earth Walls

Mechanically stabilised earth walls should be designed against the following types of failures:

Tension failure of the reinforcement in the earth (internal stability)
Bearing capacity failure of the base (external stability)
Sliding of the whole block ABCD along the base (external stability)
Overturning and tilting under the horizontal earth pressure acting on the mass.

Usually, the effect of surcharge in concentrated load is assumed to be distributed using the 2 vertical to 1 horizontal distribution as in Figure 3.

The following two types of design methods are used for determining the tension in reinforcements:

The working stress method
The failure plane method (limit state method).

In the working stress method, we assume the surface of maximum tension in the reinforcement based on experimental values and work out the necessary anchorage length required for the soil reinforcement. It is used as a general case to deal with all types of reinforced earth walls.

In the failure plane method, we consider the equilibrium of several wedges along a potential failure plane and estimate the tension to be developed in the steel reinforcement. We then design for maximum tension. As the working stress method is the more popular and general method, we will discuss only this method in this chapter. The conservative Coulomb’s failure surface is also assumed as the surface of failure plane.

Reinforcement Design of Mechanically Stabilised Earth Wall

The design procedure is as follows for a retaining wall without any surcharge:

Step 1: Adopt vertical and horizontal spacing of the reinforcement to be used. It may range from 0.2 to 1 m vertically and 0.7 to 1m horizontally.

Step 2: Assume the locus of maximum stress in the soil reinforcements. Different authorities have suggested different locus as shown in Fig. 26.2. The most commonly used is the conservative Coulomb’s failure plane.

Step 3: Determine the magnitude of horizontal pressure at various depths due to earth pressure as well as due to any superload on the embankment. Usually, the active earth pressure distribution is assumed and the pressure due to superload may be approximately evaluated by using 2 vertical to 1 horizontal distribution.

Step 4: Take each reinforcement strip and determine the maximum tension that will be developed in it. Let it be T_i. Thus, take the reinforcement strip at depth z from the top. The friction f developed will depend on the pressure on the strip and the coefficient of friction f = γztanδ.

If b is the width of the strip assuming that friction acts on both faces, the anchorage length La required to anchor T_i will be as follows:

L_a = T_i/2bf = T_i/(2bγztanδ)

where;
T_i = tension in soil reinforcement
b = breadth of the reinforcement
γz = pressure at depth z
f = friction developed between soil and reinforcement = tan δ
Ti = (γgK_A) × (area of influence of reinforcing strip)

For each strip, find L_a, the anchorage length required to develop the corresponding anchorage.

(Note: In the field, for easiness of fabrication and installation, all the strips are made of the same length equal to the required maximum anchorage length.)

mechanically stabilised earth wall — **Figure 5:** Mechanically stabilised earth wall

Soil Reinforcement Selection

It is important to choose the MSE reinforcement carefully. Low-creep materials are necessary for rigid structures like retaining walls. Materials with some creep may be advantageous for embankments that may consolidate over time. Nonmetallic reinforcements are weaker than metallic reinforcements like galvanized steel and stainless steel (used to reduce corrosion).

Corrosion resistance is a benefit of plastics. Plastics come in both fabric and nonfabric forms. Fabrics are created by weaving or knitting textiles. Grids and strips make up non-fabrics; the latter is occasionally strengthened with glass fibre. In any case, these reinforcements should be chosen only after a thorough examination of their strength, creep, and durability properties. Based on the outcomes of laboratory tests provided by the manufacturer or by accredited laboratories, they should base their decision.

Reference:
Varghese P. C. (2012): Foundation Engineering. PHI Learning Private Limited, New Delhi

Design of Filters

By

Ubani Obinna

-

December 18, 2022

Table of Contents

Filters are essential for earthen constructions such as dams to be protected against seeping groundwater. A lot of literature on geotechnical engineering contains a number of empirical design criteria for filters that were created based on experimental research and prior engineering knowledge.

In the past, earth layers of various gradations or sizes were predominantly used to create filters. However, geotextile filters are increasingly widely used because of their low cost and relatively simple construction.

Applications of Filter Materials

An impermeable or permeable wall can be used to enclose the excavation in saturated soil. The pressure on an impermeable wall can be two to three times higher than on a permeable wall, on which only the effective earth pressure is acting.

On the contrary, both the earth pressure and the water pressure act on an impermeable wall. The pressures on the wall can be reduced by lowering the water level behind it, such as through pumping wells or drainage into the excavation pit. However, the in-situ soil surrounding the excavation is subjected to a hydraulic gradient as a result.

For internally unstable soils, the flow forces generated by this hydraulic gradient might result in the transport of fine soil particles into the skeleton of coarse soil particles. Unless the surface is protected with a filter and drainage material, the soil can erode at the surface where the water exits the soil body, such as at the pumped drainage well or at other drainage locations.

Whenever there is an impounded reservoir, a hydraulic gradient and water pressure are imparted to the soil foundation. The effective stresses and resulting soil strength are decreased by the elevated hydrostatic water pressure. The soil particles are subjected to flow forces by the imposed hydraulic gradient, which can lead to erosion at the soil body’s surface or within the soil’s skeleton, where water seeps out of the ground.

The erosion of soil particles will be stopped, and the effective stress will be raised, by adding a layer of filter material beneath a layer of drainage material at the water outlet.

Because water reduces the effective stress and consequently the shear strength of the soil and applies stresses when water is moving through the soil, it has a significant impact on the stability and erosion resistance of both natural and artificial soil structures.

The stability of structures erected on or in soil is therefore improved by draining the water out of the soil structures. The soil must be drained, nevertheless, in a controlled manner. Particles within the soil skeleton or near the surface cannot be eroded by hydraulic gradients and the flow forces that result. This is ensured for natural soils by restricting the hydraulic gradient. Filter zones built into the soil structure are used to control erosion for man-made constructions.

Design of Filters

The following six factors are taken into account when designing filter materials:

(a) Filter ability
(b) Internal stability
(c) Self-healing
(d) Material segregation
(e) Drainage capacity
(f) Material durability

**Figure 3:** Filter and drainage criteria from Terzaghi & Peck (1948)

Filter Ability

To design soil filters, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Huang, 2004) set out some criteria. These criteria are based on the particle sizes that, according to the particle size distribution curve, correspond to specific weight percentages of the protected soil and the filter material.

Clogging criterion:
To ensure that the protected soil does not clog the larger particles of the filter, the following criterion must be satisfied by the relative sizes;
D_15,filter/D_85,soil ≤ 5.0

Permeability criterion:
To ensure that water passes through the filter system without building up excess pressure, the following criterion is recommended;
D_15,filter/D_15,soil ≥ 5.0

Additional criterion:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also recommends the following additional criterion;
D_50,filter/D_50,soil ≤ 25.0

Based on the above equations, one can design a satisfactory filter system when the particle size distributions of the relevant soil samples are available.

Bertram (1940) proposed the criterion D_15,filter/D_85,soil≤ 6 for soil filters based on laboratory investigations. This filter criterion was later modified to D_{15coarse-side,filter}/D_{85fine-side,soil} ≤ 4.

A drainage criterion of D_{15fine-side,filter}/D_{85coarse-side,soil} ≥ 4 was added by Terzaghi and Peck (1948)(See figure 3).

Internal Stability

When a filter material is internally stable, it prevents small soil particles from moving due to the forces of water flow. Even for water flow at high (>>1) hydraulic gradients, as happens at a fracture in the sealing zone of an embankment, all soil particles ought to stay in place. For instance, Kenney & Lau (1985) provide a useful definition of internal stability as the capacity of a granular material to avoid the loss of its own microscopic particles as a result of disturbing forces like seepage and vibration.

The filter material’s gradation curve is split into two curves at a chosen grain diameter (dS), gradation curves for the sections finer and coarser than dS, respectively, in this technique, also known as the “retention ratio criteria.” The Terzaghi filter criterion is used to compute the retention ratio (RR) for the two gradation curves: RR = D_15,filter/D_85,soil. This is repeated for various dS values. If all grains meet the criteria RR ≤ 7-8 rounded grains or RR ≤ 9-10 for angular grains, they are all regarded as stable.

Self Healing

Self-healing means that when there is water flow, cracks that could develop in the filter zone owing to things like differential settlement, etc., close instead of remaining open. Therefore, cohesion cannot exist in the filter material. By limiting the amount of non-plastic (I_P < 5%) fines to under 5%, this is ensured. The sand-castle test (Vaughan & Soares 1982) attests to the filter material’s compliance with the self-healing specifications.

Material Segregation

The filter zone can no longer serve its purpose of preventing fine particles from moving from the core to the filter zone or within the filter zone when the filter material segregates, meaning that the coarser particles separate from the finer particles. This is because the segregated coarse-grained components do not form a filter to the adjacent materials. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the segregation of filter elements. Most experts concur that a high sand content and a small maximum grain size lessen segregation.

Drainage capacity

The Terzaghi criterion D_15,filter/D_85,Soil≥ 4 still applies and Sherard recommends D_15,filter ≥ 0.2 mm.

Material Durability

Standard tests like the Los Angeles abrasion test (ASTM C535) or the wet and dry strength variation (typical limit 35%) are frequently used to examine the durability of filter materials. For significant dam structures, mineralogical and chemical analysis of the dam material is suggested This can show whether the substance contains inclusions of (i) swellable clay minerals or (ii) water-soluble minerals, such as gypsum or carbonate rocks.

In addition to dissolving, more recent materials can also re-cement at particle interactions and produce real cohesiveness. Dam filter materials containing carbonate and sulfide should be handled carefully.

Conclusion

The stability and erosion resistance of both natural and artificial soil structures are significantly influenced by water. The stability of the soil structure is increased by draining the water out of it. The soil must be drained, nevertheless, in a controlled manner to prevent erosion. Filter materials positioned inside or on top of the soil structures are used to achieve this.

Filter materials must possess specific properties that are detailed by filter criteria, which has undergone significant progress in recent decades. These filter criteria currently consist of six distinct sections, and each of these criteria has been discussed in this article.

Conceptual Design of Earthquake-Resistant RC Buildings

By

Ubani Obinna

-

December 17, 2022

Table of Contents

The rational conceptual design of earthquake-resistant RC buildings involves the design of a structural system in such a way that the lateral seismic actions (inertia forces) are transferred to the ground without excessive rotations of the building and in a ductile manner is one of the fundamental factors influencing the proper seismic behaviour of a building.

The requirements of the design code alone cannot do this. As a result, there are some general principles that, when followed in the planning and conceptual design of the building, can significantly improve the seismic resistance of the building.

According to Penelis and Penelis (2014), 29 of the 103 reinforced concrete buildings in Athens that were the most severely damaged or collapsed following the Parnitha earthquake (September 7th, 1999) were found to have failed mostly as a result of their inadequate configuration. This was mostly ascribed to the architect and structural engineer not working together early in the planning process, when a suitable compromise could have been struck.

Conceptual Design of Earthquake-Resistant RC Buildings

According to Penelis and Penelis (2014), the guidelines that should govern a conceptual design against seismic hazard according to EN 1998-1:2004 (Eurocode 8) are:

• Structural simplicity
• Uniformity and symmetry
• Redundancy
• Bidirectional resistance and stiffness
• Torsional resistance and stiffness
• Diaphragmatic action at storey levels
• Adequate foundation

Structural Simplicity

A core objective of the conceptual design must be the design of simple structural systems with clear load paths for transmitting gravity and seismic loads from the structural components to the foundation. It should be highlighted that the analysis and design results for a simple structural system are far more reliable than those for a sophisticated one. A plan of a few simple structural systems is shown in Figure 1.

Earthquake-Resistant RC Buildings — **Figure 1**: Structural systems characterised by simplicity: (a) a typical form of a frame system; (b) a typical configuration of an R/C shear wall system; (c) a dual system with an R/C core and frames (Source: Penelis and Penelis, 2014)

Regularity of structure in plan and elevation

Buildings with regular plans and elevations, without re-entrant corners and discontinuities in the vertical stresses transferred to the ground, behave well during earthquakes. Irregularities in the building plan can lead to dangerous stress concentrations for the structure. In this instance, seismic joints may be used to partition the entire building with re-entrant corners into separate seismic compact portions, if necessary (Figure 2).

For sound seismic behaviour, uniformity in height and stiffness distribution is essential. Discontinuities in deck diaphragms or construction features with re-entrant corners, or discontinuities in load transfer to the foundation with walls or columns “planted on” beams and discontinued below, are warning signals for the behavior of the building in case of a large earthquake (Figure 2).

**Figure 2:** Unfavourable and favourable configuration in elevation (Source: Penelis and Penelis, 2014)

A special attention should be paid to this direction so that torsionally flexible or asymmetric structures, which can lead to failures of the corner columns and the walls at the perimeter, will be avoided. This is true even though the symmetrical arrangement of stiffness elements is not always possible due to architectural constraints.

**Figure 3:** Distribution of mass and stiffness in elevation (Source: Penelis and Penelis, 2014)

Arrangement of Structural Walls

Reinforced concrete structural walls should span the whole space between two adjacent R/C columns if there are any voids between them. This increases the structure’s stiffness, strength, and ductility (Figure 4).

**Figure 4:** Layout of shear walls at the perimeter (a) acceptable arrangement, (b) improved arrangement (Source: Penelis and Penelis, 2014)

Redundancy in the structure

To create a robust monolithic structure with a high level of redundancy, all structural components, including the foundation, should be strongly connected. The building’s perimeter high-stiffness cores (staircases and shafts) might readily break from the diaphragmatic system during an earthquake, causing the structure to react in an unanticipated way.

Avoidance of short columns

Avoid using short columns below the windows that may be caused by the presence of mezzanines, stiff masonry, or R/C parapets. If such arrangements cannot be avoided, consideration should be given to how they will affect the structure’s behaviour in terms of load effects, ductility, and shear capacity (Figure 5).

**Figure 5:** Concentration of large shear forces on short columns at the perimeter of the building (Source: Penelis and Penelis, 2014)

Avoid using flat slabs as main structural frames

Despite being relatively attractive in terms of construction due to the low cost of formwork and the available space at story for the installation of building services ducts, flat slab systems without beams should be avoided as they are not entirely covered by EN 1998-1:2004. This does not imply that they cannot be utilized in conjunction with structural walls, cores, or frames that can withstand seismic events.

Avoid having soft storeys

Avoid having large discontinuities in the elevation of the infill system, (such as open-ground stories as shown in Figure 6). This kind of stiffness discontinuity creates a soft storey mechanism that is extremely susceptible to collapsing.

Special precautions should be taken in the analysis and detailing of the structural walls and columns in the event that this type of structure cannot be avoided, as is the case in the majority of Mediterranean countries where the General Building Code requires an open storey at the ground level (Pilotis system).

**Figure 6:** Pilotis building (by the right)

Diaphragm Behaviour

The system of the floors and roof of a multistorey building constitutes the basic mechanism for transfer of inertial seismic forces from the slabs of the building where the masses are distributed to the vertical structural members (columns and structural walls) and thereby to the foundation. In addition, the slab system, particularly in cast-in-place R/C buildings, guarantees that each storey deck will behave as a hard disc in plane, or a horizontal diaphragm, while being flexible in the vertical direction.

The storey diaphragms contribute to the system’s increased redundancy in this way. It is clear that using R/C buildings cast in place makes it very simple to produce this 3D structure with high redundancy. There is obviously no chance of structural failure of the diaphragms in an R/C building with a compact form in plan.

But the diaphragmatic function could fail if the structural system has high-stiffness R/C cores at the edge of its perimeter, if there are re-entrant corners in the plan, or if there are very large floor openings. For these reasons, special attention must be paid to the analysis and design of the diaphragm itself (i.e., the analysis and design of the slab as a disc in-plane under the action of the inertial forces and the shear reactions of the vertical structural members on the disc).

Bidirectional stiffness and resistance

Since seismic action can occur in any direction, the structural elements should be arranged in an orthogonal in-plan structural pattern to ensure similar resistance, stiffness, and ductility in both main directions (bi-directional function). In this situation, the structure must be able to withstand any excitation thanks to its two orthogonal components.

Strong columns and weak beams

For capacity design purposes, structures must be made up of weak beams and strong columns, as this performs better during earthquakes. This concept ensures that plastic hinges will develop in the beams, and not the columns.

Offering a second line of defence

It is advised to add a second line of defence made up of ductile frames to the structural system in parallel with the shear walls. Therefore, it appears that the dual system (structural walls and ductile frames) is most suited to withstand seismic action. Independent of the findings of the investigation, ASCE 7-05 mandates that these frames must support 25% of the seismic actions. It should be emphasized that EN 1998-1:2004 does not prescribe such a requirement; rather, the structural system is upgraded insofar as its factory behaviour is concerned if the frames resist for more than 35% of the base shear.

Adequate foundation system

The behaviour of the building in reaction to seismic events is significantly influenced by the foundation. It should be noted that reinforced concrete is virtually always used for the foundation, regardless of the material used for the superstructure.

Article Source:
Penelis G. G. and Penelis G. G. (2014): Concrete Buildings in Seismic Regions. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group

Point of Contraflexure in Structures

By

Ubani Obinna

-

December 16, 2022

Table of Contents

A point of contraflexure in a structure is the point where the bending moment changes signs from positive to negative (and vice versa). In other words, it is a point where the nature of the bending moment transitions from sagging to hogging. The value of the bending moment at any point of contraflexure is zero.

For a section under a sagging moment, the bottom fibre of the member is under tension, therefore, reinforcements should be provided at the bottom of the section. For a section under a hogging moment, the top fibre is in tension, and reinforcement should be provided at the top. Therefore, the point of contraflexure provides good information on how reinforcements should be arranged in reinforced concrete structures.

There is no predetermined formula for determining the exact location where the point of contraflexure will occur in a structure. The location of the point of contraflexure on a structure depends on the type of load, loading arrangement, location of supports, and types of members. The easiest way to determine the point of contraflexure in any structure is to determine the equation for the bending moment, and equate it to zero. When the x-term (distance) in the equation is solved, the point of contraflexure is readily obtained.

[themoneytizer id=”98693-1″]

Contraflexure in beams

In simply supported beams, there is no point of contraflexure since the entire beam is expected to be sagging when subjected to any lateral load. However, when an overhang is introduced to a simply supported beam, a point of contraflexure will be developed as the bending moment transitions from hogging at the cantilever area, to sagging in the span area. Once again, the loading configuration and loading locations affect how the point of contraflexure will behave.

Let us consider the simply supported beam with overhang loaded as shown below;

∑M_B = 0
6V_A – (15 × 6²)/2 + (15 × 1.5²)/2 = 0
V_A = 42.1875 kN

∑M_A = 0
6V_B – (15 × 7.5²)/2 = 0
V_B = 70.3125 kN

If we cut a section x-x along the span, the bending moment equation along the span is given by;

M_x = 42.1875x – 15x²/2 = 42.1875x – 7.5x²

We can obtain the point of contraflexure by equating the above equation to zero;

M_x = 42.1875x – 7.5x²= 0

Solving quadratically;
x = 5.625 m

Therefore, the point of contraflexure occurs at 5.625m from support A.

The maximum bending moment can be obtained by differentiating the bending moment equation (to obtain the equation for shear), and equating it to zero;

N/B: The maximum bending moment occurs at the point of zero shear.

∂Mx/∂x = 42.1875 – 15x = 0

Therefore; x = 2.8125 m
M_max = 42.1875(2.8125) – 7.5(2.8125)² = 59.3 kNm

Bending moment at support B;
M_B = 42.1875(6) – 7.5(6)² = -16.875 kNm

For continuous beams that are supported on pinned supports, it is expected that the hogging moments will occur at the intermediate supports, while the sagging moments will occur at the spans. Therefore, the points of contraflexure occur very close to the intermediate supports.

When a beam is fixed at one end, it is also expected that a point of contraflexure occurs close to the fixed support, as the bending moment transitions from hogging at the fixed support, to sagging in the span.

Contraflexure in frames

The point of contraflexure in frames is more complex than in beams. When the column of a frame is supported on a fixed support, a point of contraflexure is expected on the column. However, if the column is supported on a pinned support, there may be no point of contraflexure unless there is a lateral load on the column.

On the beams of a frame, points of contraflexure are also expected because of the inherent hogging moment that exists at the beam-column junctions of rigid frames. When the bending moment transitions from hogging at the beam-column junction to sagging at the beam spans, a point of contraflexure develops.

When carrying out approximate analysis of framed structures, the point of contraflexure for columns is usually assumed to occur at the mid-point, as a known point of zero bending moment.

Significance of the point of contraflexure

Points of contraflexure are very significant in the design of steel structures and reinforced concrete structures.

Reinforced Concrete Structures

In reinforced concrete structures, the points of contraflexure provide information on where the top reinforcements should be curtailed. For instance, it is reasonable to stop the top reinforcement at the support of beams at the point of contraflexure. In the detailing guidelines of beams, this is taken as 0.25L, while in the detailing of slabs, this is taken as 0.3L, where L is the length of the span.

Furthermore, since the bending moment at the point of contraflexure is zero, it could serve as a very good point where tension bars could be lapped without any serious consequences. This however should be used with caution since the actual loading in real-life structures can vary considerably. It is advisable to follow the detailing guidelines in the code of practice.

Steel Structures

The point of contraflexure also plays an important role in the design of steel structures. For instance, in the design of portal frames, the point of contraflexure can provide the needed information for the length of the haunches, which provides increased stiffness at the column-rafter junction. It may also be desirable to locate splices and joints at the point where the bending moment is zero, so as to have more economical joints.

The point of contraflexure and the shape of the moment diagram plays an important role in the design of steel structures for lateral torsional buckling.

Live Loads (Imposed Loads) on Buildings

By

Ubani Obinna

-

May 24, 2023

Live loads are loads produced from the use and occupancy of a building. They include the loads from human occupancy, furniture, vehicles, anticipated rare events such as the gathering of people and stacking of materials, moveable machines and equipment, storage, maintenance activities, etc. The values of live load for each type of building are usually defined by the codes of practice, and that is why the use of any structure must be defined before the design is commenced.

Live loads on floors of buildings are defined by a uniformly distributed load, line load, and concentrated load, which, however, must not be applied simultaneously. The uniformly distributed load is used for all global verifications and general designs, while the concentrated load is usually adopted for local verifications. Floor loadings which are made up of live loads and dead loads are combined for the design of slabs and floors.

Live loads are measured in pounds per square foot (psf) in the United States of America, while they are typically measured in kilo Newtons per square meter (kN/m²) in the UK and much of Europe. Sometimes, environmental loads, such as wind loads, are treated separately from live loads.

According to EN 1991-1-1:2002, imposed loads should be taken into account as quasi-static actions. However, dynamic effects may be included in the load models if there is no risk of resonance or other significant dynamic response from the structure. If resonance effects from the synchronised rhythmic movement of people or dancing or jumping may be expected, the load model should be determined for special dynamic analysis.

Typical live loads on the floor of a public building

Categories of Buildings

To determine the imposed loads, floor and roof areas in buildings should be subdivided into categories according to their use (see Table 1). Areas in residential, social, commercial and administrative buildings shall be divided into categories according to their specific uses shown in Table 6.1 of EN 1991-1-1:2002.

Category	Specific Use	Example
A	Areas for domestic and residential activities	Rooms in residential buildings and houses; bedrooms and wards in hospitals; bedrooms in hotels and hostels kitchens and toilets.
B	Office areas
C	Areas where people may congregate (with the exception of areas defined under categories A, B, and D.	C1: Areas with tables, etc. e.g. areas in schools, cafés, restaurants, dining halls, reading rooms, and receptions. C2: Areas with fixed seats, e.g. areas in churches, theatres or cinemas, conference rooms, lecture halls, assembly halls, waiting rooms, and railway waiting rooms. C3: Areas without obstacles for moving people, e g. areas in museums, exhibition rooms, etc. and access areas in public and administration buildings, hotels, hospitals, and railway station forecourts. C4: Areas with possible physical activities, e.g. dance malls, gymnastic rooms, and stages. C5: Areas susceptible to large crowds, e.g. in buildings for public events like concert halls, sports halls including stands, terraces and access areas and railway platforms.
D	Shopping areas	D1: Areas in general retail shops D2: Areas in department stores
E	Storage areas	E1: Areas susceptible to accumulation of goods, including access areas E2: Industrial areas

Table 1: Different categories of building areas (Source: EN 1991-1-1:2002)

Live Load Values for Different Categories of Buildings

The values of live loads for category A buildings (areas for domestic and residential activities) are provided in Table 2.

Sub-category	Example	q_k(kN/m²)	Q_k (kN)
A1	All usages within self-contained dwelling units (a unit occupied by a single family or a modular student accommodation unit with a secure door and comprising not more than six single bedrooms and an internal corridor) Communal areas (including kitchens) in blocks of flats with limited use (see Note 1). For communal areas in other blocks of flats, see A5, A6 and C3	1.5	2.0
A2	Bedrooms and dormitories except those in self-contained single-family dwelling units and in hotels and motels	1.5	2.0
A3	Bedrooms in hotels and motels; hospital wards; toilet areas	2.0	2.0
A4	Billiard/snooker rooms	2.0	2.7
A5	Balconies in single-family dwelling units and communal areas in blocks of flats with limited use (see Note 1)	2.5	2.0
A6	Balconies in hostels, guest houses, residential clubs and communal areas in blocks of flats except those covered by Note 1	Same as the rooms to which they give access but with a minimum of 3.0	2.0 (concentrated at the outer edge)
A7	Balconies in hotels and motels	Same as the rooms to which they give access but with a minimum of 4.0	2.0 (concentrated at the outer edge)

Table 2: Live load values for domestic and residential buildings (Source: EN 1991-1-1:2002)

The values of live loads for category B buildings (office areas) are provided in Table 3;

Sub-category	Example	q_k(kN/m²)	Q_k (kN)
B1	General use other than in B2	2.5	2.7
B2	At or below ground floor level	3.0	2.7

Table 3: Live load values for office buildings (Source: EN 1991-1-1:2002)

The values of live loads for category C buildings (areas where people may congregate) are provided in Table 4;

Sub-category	Example	q_k(kN/m²)	Q_k (kN)
C1	Areas with tables	2.0 – 3.0	3.0 – 4.0
C11	Public, institutional and communal dining rooms and lounges, cafes and restaurants (see Note 2)	2.0	3.0
C12	Reading rooms with no book storage	2.5	4.0
C13	Classrooms	3.0	3.6
C2	Areas with fixed seats	3.0 – 4.0	2.5 – 7.0
C21	Assembly areas with fixed seating (see Note 3)	4.0	3.6
C22	Places of worship	3.0	2.7
C3	Areas without obstacles for moving people	3.0 – 5.0	4.0 – 7.0
C31	Corridors, hallways, aisles in institutional-type buildings not subjected to crowds or wheeled vehicles, hostels, guest houses, residential clubs, and communal areas in blocks of flats not covered by Note 1	3.0	4.5
C32	Stairs, landings in institutional-type buildings not subjected to crowds or wheeled vehicles, hostels, guest houses, residential clubs, and communal areas in blocks of flats not covered by Note 1	3.0	4.0
C33	Corridors, hallways, aisles in all buildings not covered by C31 and C32, including hotels and motels and institutional buildings subjected to crowds	4.0	4.5
C34	Corridors, hallways, aisles in all buildings not covered by C31 and C32, including hotels and motels and institutional buildings subjected to wheeled vehicles, including trolleys	5.0	4.5
C35	Stairs, landings in all buildings not covered by C31 and C32, including hotels and motels and institutional buildings subjected to crowds	4.0	4.0
C36	Walkways – Light duty (access suitable for one person, walkway width approx 600 mm)	3.0	4.5
C37	Walkways – General duty (regular two-way pedestrian traffic)	5.0	3.6
C38	Walkways – Heavy duty (high-density pedestrian traffic including escape routes)	7.5	4.5
C39	Museum floors and art galleries for exhibition purposes	4.0	4.5
C4	Areas with possible physical activities	4.5 – 5.0	3.5 – 7.0
C41	Dance halls and studios, gymnasia, stages (see Note 5)	5.0	3.6
C42	Drill halls and drill rooms (see Note 5)	5.0	7.0
C5	Areas susceptible to large crowds	5.0 – 7.5	3.5 – 4.5
C51	Assembly areas without fixed seating, concert halls, bars and places of worship (see Note 4 and Note 5)	5.0	3.6
C52	Stages in public assembly areas (see Note 5)	7.5	4.5

Table 4: Live load values for areas susceptible to human gathering and crowd (Source: EN 1991-1-1:2002)

The values of live loads for category D buildings (shopping areas) are provided in Table 5;

Sub-category	Example	q_k(kN/m²)	Q_k (kN)
D1	Areas in general retail shops	4.0	3.6
D2	Areas in department stores	4.0	3.6

Table 5: Live load values for shopping areas (Source: EN 1991-1-1:2002)

NOTE 1: Communal areas in blocks of flats with limited use are blocks of flats not more than three storeys in height and with not more than four self-contained dwelling units per floor accessible from one staircase.

NOTE 2: Where the areas described by C11 might be subjected to loads due to physical activities or overcrowding, e.g. a hotel dining room used as a dance floor, imposed loads should be based on C4 or C5 as appropriate. Reference should also be made to Note 5.

NOTE 3: Fixed seating is seating where its removal and the use of the space for other purposes is improbable.

NOTE 4: For grandstands and stadia, reference should be made to the requirements of the appropriate certifying authority.

NOTE 5: For structures that might be susceptible to resonance effects, reference should be made to NA.2.1. of NA to BS EN 1991-1-1:2002.

stadium crowd — Stadiums require dynamic analysis

The values of live loads for category E buildings (storage and industrial buildings) are provided in Table 6;

Sub-category	Examples	q_k(kN/m²)	Q_k (kN)
E11	General areas for static equipment not specified elsewhere (institutional and public buildings)	2.0	1.8
E12	Reading rooms with book storage, e.g. libraries	4.0	4.5
E13	General storage other than those specified (see Note)	2.4 per metre of the storage height	7.0
E14	File rooms, filing and storage space (offices)	5.0	4.5
E15	Stack rooms (books)	2.4 per metre of storage height but with a minimum of 6.5	7.0
E16	Paper storage for printing plants and stationery stores	4.0 per metre of the storage height	9.0
E17	Dense mobile stacking (books) on mobile trolleys, in public and institutional buildings	4.8 per metre of storage height but with a minimum of 9.6	7.0
E18	Dense mobile stacking (books) on mobile trucks, in warehouses	4.8 per metre of storage height but with a minimum of 15.0	7.0
E19	Cold storage	5.0 per metre of storage height but with a minimum of 15.0	9.0
E2	See PD 6688 for imposed loads on floors for areas of industrial use

Table 6: Live load values for storage areas (Source: EN 1991-1-1:2002)

However, the recommended value for imposed load due to storage is specified as 7.5 kN/m² in clause 6.3.2 of EN 1991-1-1:2002. The equivalent concentrated load is 7.0 kN.

typical storage warehouse — Typical storage building

For garages and vehicle traffic areas, the imposed load for vehicles weighing less than 30 kN (about 3000 kg), q_k = 2.5 kN/m², and Q_k = 7.0 kN. For vehicles weighing more than 30 kN but less than 160 kN, q_k = 5 kN/m² while the concentrated load should be specially determined. The uniformly distributed load and the concentrated load should not be applied simultaneously.

Angle of Internal Friction | Angle of Shearing Resistance

By

Ubani Obinna

-

March 1, 2023

One of the important parameters regarded as a typical property of granular soils is the angle of internal friction, ϕ. The ability of a rock or soil mass to withstand shear stress can be measured by the angle of internal friction (also called the angle of shearing resistance). When failure occurs in response to a shearing stress (τ), the angle (ϕ), measured between the normal force (σ) and resultant force (R), is called the angle of internal friction.

The coefficient of sliding friction is its tangent (τ/σ). The angle of internal friction of any soil can be seen visually on a Mohr’s circle plot after the shear strength test.

Experimental analysis such as the triaxial test is used to determine the angle of internal friction’s value. Prior to engaging in analytical and design processes in relation to foundations, retaining walls, slope stability, and earth-retaining structures, shear strength parameters must be determined. A physical characteristic of earth materials, or the slope of a linear representation of their shear strength, is the angle of internal friction.

The internal resistance a soil mass can provide per unit area to withstand failure along any internal plane is known as shear strength. Failure happens when this resistance is exceeded. The maximum or limiting value of shear stress created within a soil’s matrix prior to yielding is referred to as the soil’s shear strength. The cohesive and frictional forces between adjacent particles in a soil matrix are what give the structure its shear strength.

As a result, there is some surface dependence on the soil shear strength. Any action that prevents or encourages soil particle interlocking or welding will inevitably affect soil shear strength.

Shear strength typically consists of:

(a) internal friction or the resistance due to the interlocking of the particles, represented by an angle, ϕ;
(b) cohesion or resistance due to the forces tending to hold the particles together in a solid mass. The cohesion of soil is generally symbolized by the letter ‘c’.

Coulomb was the first to propose the law governing the shear failure of soils, which is represented by the equation;

τ = c + σtanϕ ——— (1)

where the normal force is σ and the shear strength is τ.

Engineers and geologists commonly refer to unconsolidated and uncemented earth materials as soil, while geologists may refer to such materials as sediment. A variety of sizes (mm to m) from very fine to very coarse minerals or rock fragments make up soil (clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobble, and boulder-size).

A mass of grains that are chemically and mechanically distinct from one another can be relatively easily mined, and the removed material can be piled up in a conical shape with slopes known as the angle of repose (Figure 2). The angle of repose is a depiction of the angle of internal friction, but it is typically controlled by grain form, resulting in slopes that are typically between 28° and 34° for piles of loose, dry grains in natural soil.

pile gravel 15332153 — **Figure 2**: Pile of gravel forms angle of repose

The angle of internal friction is defined as the angle between the normal reaction force and the combined force of friction and normal reaction force as the object begins to move, whereas the angle of repose is defined as the minimum angle of an inclined plane that causes an object to slide down the plane. Theoretically, the angle of internal friction and the angle of repose appears to mean the same thing. However, the angle of internal friction determined during testing is used for geotechnical designs.

The distribution of grain size, angularity, and particle interlocking are the main variables that affect a soil’s friction angle in addition to density. As you may anticipate, fine-grained and well-rounded sand has a lower friction angle than angular and coarse sand.

**Figure 3:** Relationship between the angle of repose and soil strength

φ = 45° Select, granular soil. Slope, φ, maybe even greater if the soil is well compacted.
φ = 30° Good soil. The soil may be uncompacted, or possibly moist.
φ = 15° Poor soil. Poor soil may contain a high percentage of fines and may be wet.
φ = 0° Mud. The soil is liquid, and has no slope angle, φ

The angle of internal friction of different types of soils

The angle of internal friction for different types of soil can be estimated from the in-situ geotechnical engineering test. Some of them are shown in Table 1;

Description	Relative Density	SPT – N (blows/300 mm)	Angle of internal friction
Very loose	< 15%	N ≤ 4	φ < 28°
Loose	15–35%	N = 4 – 10	φ = 28 – 30°
Medium dense	35–65%	N = 10 – 30	φ = 30 – 40°
Dense	65–85%	N = 30 -50	φ =40 – 45°
Very dense	> 85%	N > 50	φ = 45 – 50°

Table 1: Angle of internal friction from SPT data

The angle of internal friction for different soil classifications is provided in Table 2;

Soil Group Symbol	Cohesion (saturated) kPa	The angle of internal friction (φ)
GW	0	> 38°
GP	0	> 37°
GM	–	> 34°
GC	–	> 31°
SW	0	38°
SP	0	37°
SM	20	34°
SM-SC	14	33°
SC	11	31°
ML	9	32°
ML-CL	22	32°
CL	13	28°
OL	–	–
MH	20	25°
CH	11	19°
OH	–	–

Table 2: Angle of internal friction for different soil classifications

Floor Loading in Buildings

By

Ubani Obinna

-

December 13, 2022

Table of Contents

Floor loadings are loads applied to the floors of buildings such as slabs, decks, and pavements. All floors should be able to withstand the loads applied to them during their service life, and it is the duty of the structural engineer to ensure that the anticipated loading is adequately assessed, and accounted for during design.

In a real sense, the loads applied to the floor of a building may be arbitrary and dynamic such as the self-weight of the floor and finishes, the weight of furniture, human occupancy, different kinds of storage, etc. However, during structural analysis, these loads are often idealised as either uniformly distributed loads, concentrated (point loads), partially distributed loads, or dynamic loads. Dynamic analysis may be needed when designing floors subjected to crowd activities.

Types of Floor Loading

For the purpose of structural design, all loads on floors are generically categorised into dead load and live load.

Dead Load (permanent actions)

Dead loads are loads that are permanent on the floor. Typically, this consists of the self-weight of the floor, permanent finishes on the floor such as tiles, screeding, terrazzo, etc, and other permanent fixes on the floor such as equipment. Furthermore, the weights of partitions such as block walls, or columns that are directly supported on slabs are also permanent loads on the floor.

To calculate the value of the dead load on floors, the unit weight of the material in question must be known. For instance, for a reinforced concrete slab, a unit weight of 24 – 25 kN/m³ is usually adopted for the concrete.

9E3FC03E 9E44 4B84 B8FC B2A70D4B5F74 — Typically floor loading in a commercial building

If the thickness of the slab is 150 mm (0.15 m) and assuming a unit weight of 25 kN/m³, the self-weight of the slab is;

self-weight of slab = 0.15 × 25 = 3.75 kN/m²

This load is applied as a uniformly distributed pressure load on the floor. In the same vein, the weight of finishes can be calculated by considering the unit weight of the finishes, the screeding, and the thickness.

For permanent equipment or heavy furniture on the floor of a building, it is sufficient to know the weight of the equipment and the way it is fixed to the floor for the sake of structural analysis and design. The way it is placed and fixed on the floor will determine if it is to be treated as a uniformly distributed load, concentrated load, or partially distributed load.

It may be important to assess whether dynamic analysis or vibration isolation may be needed for mechanical equipment. For some permanent medical equipment in hospitals, no such analysis may be required.

Partition loads on slabs are usually treated as line loads or converted to equivalent uniformly distributed loads. The weight of the partition and the nature of its fixity will determine if it can be converted to an equivalent UDL or modelled as a line load.

Live Load (variable actions)

Live loads on floors usually represent the occupancy loading on the floor, and are considered as the loads that are moveable on the floor of a building. This usually includes the weight of human beings and pets on the floor, furniture, household storage, office equipment, warehouse storage, the weight of vehicles on suspended garages, library books and shelves, etc.

As a result of this, the use of the building must be clearly defined so as to know the appropriate live loading to be used in the design. Live loads on floors are usually represented by uniformly distributed loads and concentrated loads. The uniformly distributed loads are commonly used for general design and global verifications, while the concentrated loads are used for local verifications and designs.

TYPICAL FLOOR LOADING IN A STORE — Typically floor loading in a store

For instance, the use of a uniformly distributed live load on a cantilever staircase may not give an onerous action effect when compared with using an equivalent concentrated live load. The values of live load on floors are published on the various codes of practice. For instance, the live load for residential buildings may be 1.5 kN/m², while the live load for storage houses may get as high as 5 kN/m².

By implication, a building designed for residential purposes should not be converted to a self-storage building without adequate assessment and strengthening.

Load Combination

To design a floor slab or deck, the dead loads and live loads on the floor are usually combined after an appropriate factor of safety is applied. The value of the partial factor of safety applied for each load combination depends on the limit state that is being assessed. A higher factor of safety is used for ultimate limit state verification, while a lower factor of safety is used for serviceability limit state verification.

Some common load combinations are as follows;

BS 8110 (WITHDRAWN)
ULS: 1.4(Dead load) + 1.6(Live load)
SLS: 1.0(Dead load) + 1.0(Live load)

EUROCODE
ULS: 1.35(Dead load) + 1.5(Live load)
SLS: 1.0(Dead load) + 1.0(Live load)

ACI 318
ULS: 1.2(Dead load) + 1.6(Live load)

IS 456
ULS: 1.5(Dead load) + 1.5(Live load)
SLS: 1.0(Dead load) + 1.0(Live load)

CSA A23.3
ULS: 1.25(Dead load) + 1.5(Live load)

The factored loads are used to obtain the internal stresses (bending moment and shear forces) which are used in the design of the floor.

Estimation of Footing Settlement using SPT Data

By

Ubani Obinna

-

December 11, 2022

In cohesionless soils, it is challenging to collect undisturbed samples, so we usually rely on the outcomes of in-situ testing (SPT or CPT tests) to determine the total settlement. Moreover, as the allowable soil pressure in these soils is determined more by considerations of settlement than bearing capacity failure, it is desirable to predict them accurately.

The average value of N to be used in the assessment of settlements and bearing capacity is determined by taking the SPT corrected values at foundation level N₁, depth 1.5B (N₂), and depth 2B (N₃).

N = (3N₁ + 2N₂ + N₃)/6 ——— (1)

The total settlement of a foundation can be divided into the following three components:

The immediate settlement ∆ which takes place due to elastic deformation of soil without change in water content.
The consolidation settlement ∆H which takes place in clayey soil mainly due to the expulsion of the pore water in the soil.
Secondary (creep) settlement ∆S which takes place over long periods due to the viscous resistance of soil under constant compression.

The immediate settlement is usually considered for footings on sand (cohesionless soils).

Correlation from Terzaghi and Peck

From Terzaghi and Peck’s (1967) correlation of settlement with SPT values, Teng (1969) proposed the following expression for the load for a given settlement of a footing of breadth B in a sand deposit with an SPT value of N:

For ∆ = 25 mm; p = 34.6(N – 3)[(B + 0.3)/2B]² (in kN/m²) ——— (2)

for ∆ = 1 mm; p = 1.385(N – 3)[(B + 0.3)/2B]² (in kN/m²) ——— (3)

Hence the settlement in mm for a load q in kN/m² is as follows:

∆ = (0.722q/(N – 3)) × [(B + 0.3)/2B]² (in mm) ——— (4)

As it was found that Eq. (4) gives high values of settlements, Meyerhof proposed the following:

Actual settlement = settlement by Eq.(4)/1.5 ——— (5)

Meyerhof’s Formula Based on SPT Values for Cohesionless Soils

Meyerhof noted that Terzaghi and Peck’s correction overestimates the actual settlement considerably. He proposed the following formula based on SPT tests for settlement in mm for q in kN/m² and B in meters;

∆ = 1.6q/N for B < 1.25 m
∆ = 2.84q/N × [B/(B + 0.3)]² for B > 1.25 m
∆ = 2.84q/N for large rafts

From test results, we know that in cohesionless soil, for the same intensity of load, the settlement of a footing increases with its width according to the following formula. (The settlement beyond B = 4 m can be taken as more or less constant.)

s = s₁[2B/(B + 0.3)]²

where B is the breadth in meters and s₁ is the settlement of a 0.3 m square plate.

**Figure 2:** Increase in settlements of footings with the width of footings in the sand and in clay (Varghese, 2012)

Another important empirical relation that Terzaghi established from his observation is that in both strip footing and also in pad footings of equal size and equally loaded the differential settlement that can be expected in all types of soil is about 50 percent of the maximum expected settlement of these footings.

In actual practice, the sizes of the footings can also be different. Hence in real-field situations, we may assume that the maximum expected differential settlement will be roughly 75% of the expected maximum settlement. Accordingly, if we assume an allowable differential settlement of 18 mm (3/4 inch) the maximum settlement we can allow in the footing will be 25 mm (1 inch).

In 1969, Teng proposed the following important relation between the settlement of a footing in sand and its SPT value N. [See Eq. (4)]

∆ = (0.722q/(N – 3)) × [(B + 0.3)/2B]² (in mm)

where;
s = settlement in mm
q = intensity of load in kN/m²
B = breadth of footing in metres.

From the above, the net load required for 1 mm settlement will be as follows:

∆ = 1.385(N – 3)[(B + 0.3)/2B]² (in kN/m² per mm settlement)

where;
q₁ = bearing pressure for 1 mm settlement in kN/m²
N = corrected SPT value
B = width of the footing in metres.

For 25 mm settlement, we get the following equation as the net allowable bearing pressure in kN/m².

q_net = q₂₅ = 34.6(N – 3)[(B + 0.3)/2B]² = 8.6(N – 3)[(B + 0.3)/B]² (in kN/m²)

Taking B = 4 m,
q_net= 10(N – 3) (approx.)

To this, we can add the effect of depth. Peck, Hanson and Thornburn (1974) used this relation to plot the graph for safe bearing capacity in sands for N values. The value of [(B + 0.3)/2B]² decreases rapidly with B as shown in Fig. 3, so that the empirical value of q_a for cohesionless soils with a variation of B can be expressed in kN/m² as follows:

**Figure 3:** Variation of safe soil pressure with width based on shear failure and with soil pressure for 25 mm settlement (Varghese, 2012)

Therefore;
q_a = 10.5NB (for B < 1 m for 25 mm settlement)
q_a= 10.5N (for B > 1 m for 25 mm settlement)
q_a = 0.42N (kN/m²) (approx.) for 1 mm settlement for B > 1 m.

An average value of N for a depth B below the footing is taken as the N value for the calculation of bearing capacity.

References

Terzaghi, K. and Peck, R.B. (1967): Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1967
Teng, W.C. (1969): Foundation Design, Prentice-Hall of India, New Delhi
Peck, R.B., Hanson, W.E., and Thornburn, T.H., (1974): Foundation Engineering, John Wiley & Sons
Varghese P.C. (2012): Foundation Engineering. PHI Learning Private Limited, New Delhi

Moment-Resisting Frames

By

Ubani Obinna

-

December 7, 2022

Table of Contents

When the beam-to-column connections in a frame are sufficiently rigid to maintain the original angles between intersecting members, the frame is considered a moment-resisting (rigid) frame. In essence, moment-resisting frames comprise the beams, columns, and the rigid connection between them.

The stiffness of the beams and columns are relied upon for resisting gravity and lateral loads and are essentially designed for such. Moment-resisting frames can be made of steel or reinforced concrete.

The rigid frame action is the development of shear forces and bending moments in the frame members and joints to resist lateral loads. By reducing positive moments in beam spans, the continuity at both ends of beams also helps moment-resisting frames in resisting gravity loads more effectively.

54546A54 0D77 4271 AC54 0791C54C066F — **Figure 1:** Typical construction of a moment-resisting frame building

The versatility of moment-resisting frames in architectural planning gives them certain advantages in building applications. They can be positioned at the building’s façade without having their depths restricted in any way. However, some restrictions on beam depths must be observed to allow for the passage of mechanical and air conditioning ducts.

They may also be positioned throughout the interior of the structure. They are regarded as having greater architectural versatility than other systems like braced frames or shear walls because there are no bracing elements to obstruct open spaces or openings.

**Figure 2:** Lateral displacement of the moment-resisting frames (Bungale, 2005)

In order to prevent storey drift under lateral loads, the depths of frame members are frequently governed by stiffness rather than strength. The lateral displacement of one level in relation to the level below is referred to as the story drift. It is a major concern in the serviceability assessment of buildings especially because of the effects of wind.

Commonly used drift limitations for wind-related building designs range from 1/400 to 1/500 of the story height. These restrictions are thought to be generally adequate to reduce damage to nonstructural walls and partitions, cladding, and other surfaces.

Then inherent flexibility of moment-resisting frames could lead to more drift-induced nonstructural damage than in other systems under seismic loads. It is important to keep in mind that seismic drift, which includes structures’ inelastic responses, is normally limited to 1/50 of the story height, which is around ten times bigger than the permitted wind drift. Particularly for frames intended to withstand seismic loads, the strength and ductility of the connections between beams and columns are very important factors to consider.

Consider the welded moment connection details from Figure 3, which were applied in North American seismic zones during the 25 years before the Northridge earthquake. A high-strength bolted shear tab connection and full-penetration field-welded top and bottom beam flanges were generally used for the connection. This kind of connection was thought to be capable of producing significant inelastic rotations.

Moment-resisting frames connections — **Figure 3:** Pre-Northridge moment connections: (a) unequal-depth beams to column flange connection; (b) equal-depth beams to column flange connection (Bungale, 2005)

The January 17, 1994, Northridge earthquake in California, with a Richter magnitude of 6.7, and the January 18, 1995 Kobe earthquake, with a Richter magnitude of 6.8, both damaged over 200 steel moment-resisting frame buildings and made engineers less confident in the use of the moment frame for seismic design.

Steel moment frames did not perform as well as planned in either of these earthquakes. The connections that failed almost always belonged to the category depicted in Figure 3. Most of the damage was caused by fractures in the bottom flange weld connecting the girder and column flanges. Additionally, top flange fractures happened often (Bungale, 2005).

New connection procedures have been created, and the majority of construction codes are being amended, in light of the brittle fracture that was seen at the intersections of the beam and column. Designing beams so that the plastic hinges form away from the column face is the typical approach to some new design concepts.

30538220 ED36 449C A5D7 9E39E5515880 — **Figure 4:** Moment-resisting frame in an industrial building

Deflection Behaviour of Moment-Resisting Frames

A moment-resisting frame cannot displace laterally without bending the beams and columns because of the rigid connections between the beams and columns. Therefore, the bending rigidity of the frame elements serves as the main source of lateral stiffness for the entire structure.

It is beneficial to consider the deflections of a rigid frame as composed of two components (comparable to the deflection components of a structural element like a vertical cantilever column) to comprehend its lateral deflection characteristics.

The cantilever column’s primary deflection is caused by bending, and its secondary component is caused by shear. The shear component might not be taken into account when calculating deflection unless the column is reasonably short. However, both of these elements carry equal importance in moment-resisting frames. Cantilever bending and frame racking are common names for the bending and shear deflection parts of rigid frames.

Cantilever Bending Component

A moment-resisting frame behaves like a vertical cantilever when resisting overturning moments, which causes axial deformation of the columns. The columns on the windward face lengthen while those on the leeward face shorten. The building rotates about a horizontal axis due to this alteration in column lengths. The resulting lateral deflection, as depicted in Figure 5, is comparable to the cantilever’s bending deflection component.

**Figure 5:** Rigid frame deflections: Forces and deformations caused by external overturning moment (Bungale, 2005)

Shear Racking Component

This rigid frame response, depicted in Figure 6, is comparable to the cantilever column’s shear deflection component. Due to the rigid connections between the beams and columns, bending moments and shears develop in the beams and columns as the frame moves laterally. The horizontal shear above a given level due to lateral loads is resisted by shear in each of the columns of that story (Figure 6).

**Figure 6:** Rigid frame deflections: forces and deformations caused by external shear (Bungale, 2005)

The storey columns then begin to bend in a double curvature with points of contraflexure at roughly midstory levels as a result of this shear. Equilibrium is achieved when the sum of the moments of the columns above and below a joint equals the sum of the moments of the beams on each side of the column.

The beams also bend in a two-fold curvature to resist the bending, with points of contraflexure roughly in the middle of the span. The overall shear racking of the frame is caused by the accumulated bending of the columns and beams. According to Fig. 3.4b, the deflected shape caused by this component has a shear deflection structure.

About 70% of a moment frame’s overall sway results from the shear mode of deformation, with the remaining 30% coming from column bending and the other 10% to 15% from beam flexure. This is due to the fact that in a rigid frame, the column stiffness, as determined by the I_c/L_c ratio, is often significantly higher than the beam stiffness ratio, I_b/L_b, where;

I_b = moment of inertia of the beam
I_c = moment of inertia of column
L_b = length of the beam
Lc = length of the column

Therefore, to reduce lateral deflection, one should consider starting with increasing the stiffness of the beams. However, it is advisable to investigate the relative beam and column stiffnesses before making adjustments to the member stiffnesses in nontypical frames, such as for those in framed tubes with column spacing that is close to floor-to-floor height (Bungale, 2005).

The story drift increases with height due to the cumulative effect of building rotation, but that caused by shear racking tends to remain constant with height. In the highest stories, cantilever bending contributes more to story drift than shear racking does. Except in very tall and slender rigid frames, the bending impact typically does not exceed 10 to 20% of that caused by shear racking.

As a result, a medium-rise frame’s overall deflected shape typically has a shear deflection arrangement (Bungale, 2005). Therefore, it is possible to consider the total lateral deflection of a rigid frame as a combination of the following elements:

• Cantilever deflection due to axial deformation of columns (15 to 20%).
• Frame shear racking due to bending of beams (50 to 60%).
• Frame racking due to bending of columns (15 to 20%).

The panel zone of a beam-column connection, which is defined as the rectangular segment of the column web within the column flanges and beam continuity plates, along with the previously mentioned variables, also contributes to the overall lateral deflection of the frame. However, its impact rarely goes above 5% of the total deflection.

References

Bungale S. T. (2005): Wind and earthquake resistant buildings structural analysis and design. Marcel Dekker, New York

Where do structural engineers work?

Becoming a structural engineer

Typical Structural Engineering Courses

The Practice of Structural Engineering

The Mechanism of MSE Wall

Design of Mechanically Stabilised Earth Walls

Reinforcement Design of Mechanically Stabilised Earth Wall

Soil Reinforcement Selection

Applications of Filter Materials

Design of Filters

Filter Ability

Internal Stability

Self Healing

Material Segregation

Drainage capacity

Material Durability

Conclusion

Conceptual Design of Earthquake-Resistant RC Buildings

Structural Simplicity

Regularity of structure in plan and elevation

Arrangement of Structural Walls

Redundancy in the structure

Avoidance of short columns

Avoid using flat slabs as main structural frames

Avoid having soft storeys

Diaphragm Behaviour

Bidirectional stiffness and resistance

Strong columns and weak beams

Offering a second line of defence

Adequate foundation system

Contraflexure in beams

Contraflexure in frames

Significance of the point of contraflexure

Reinforced Concrete Structures

Steel Structures

Categories of Buildings

Live Load Values for Different Categories of Buildings

The angle of internal friction of different types of soils

Types of Floor Loading

Dead Load (permanent actions)

Live Load (variable actions)

Load Combination

Correlation from Terzaghi and Peck

Meyerhof’s Formula Based on SPT Values for Cohesionless Soils

References

Deflection Behaviour of Moment-Resisting Frames

Cantilever Bending Component

Shear Racking Component

References

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

FOLLOW US