Structural Elements Design Manual: Working with Eurocodes

Trevor Draycott, Peter Bullman

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2009
• ISBN:
  9781136435102
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technik & Maschinenbau
• Subtopic: Bau- & Architekturtechnik

Structural Elements Design Manual: Working With Eurocodes is the structural engineers 'companion volume' to the four Eurocodes on the structural use of timber, concrete, masonry and steelwork.

For the student at higher technician or first degree level it provides a single source of information on the behaviour and practical design of the main elements of the building structure.

With plenty of worked examples and diagrams, it is a useful textbook not only for students of structural and civil engineering, but also for those on courses in related subjects such as architecture, building and surveying whose studies include the design of structural elements.

Trevor Draycott the former Buildings and Standards Manager with Lancashire County Council's Department of Property Services has 50 years experience in the construction industry. For 20 years he was also an associate lecturer in structures at Lancashire Polytechnic, now the University of Central Lancashire in Preston. For many years he served on the Institution of Structural Engineers, North West Branch, professional interview panel and the North West regional committee of the Timber Research and Development Association.

Peter Bullman worked for Felix J Samuely and Partners, Taylor Woodrow Construction and Building Design Partnership before joining Bolton Institute, now the University of Bolton, as a lecturer in structural engineering. He has taught structural design on higher technician, degree and postgraduate courses, and has run courses to prepare engineers for the IStructE Chartered Membership examination.

Chapter 1

General Matters

Contents

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Codes and Standards

1.3 Loads and Actions

1.4 Limit State Design Philosophy

1.5 Determining Loads on Individual Structural Elements

1.6 Structural Mechanics

1.7 Design of Beams for Bending Moment

1.8 Compression Members

1.9 Material Properties

1.10 Summary

1.1 Introduction

Eurocode 0 ‘Basis of Structural Design’ states:

‘A structure is an organised combination of connected parts designed to carry loads and provide adequate rigidity.’

Structural engineering is the study of how the various components of a building or other structure act together to transmit forces down to the foundations. Stages in the process are:

Structural planning stage: When a structural scheme is devised to suit both the purpose of the building and the site conditions.

Structural analysis stage: When the loads on the structure are determined and the way that the loads disperse through the structure is analysed using the principles of structural mechanics.

Structural element design stage: When the size and properties of each member are determined.

Structural detailing stage: When detail drawings are produced to illustrate how the structure is to be constructed on site.

Structural specification stage: When specification clauses are compiled to define the standard of materials and workmanship to be used.

Construction stage: When the structure is built, with appropriate supervision, inspection and testing to ensure that it complies with the drawings and the specification.

This book is primarily about the third of these stages, although some aspects of the other stages are also covered.

Although structural design should be carried out by structural engineers, other construction professionals require some knowledge of structural behaviour. Architects, quantity surveyors, building control officers, clerks of works and site staff will all benefit from studying the design of structural elements in different building materials.

1.2 Codes and Standards

Guidelines for the use of structural materials are found in many published codes, and this manual is mostly based on a set of codes produced for use throughout the European Union – the Eurocodes. Each country in the European Union defines how each code is to be used by publishing a National Annex for each code, and this manual is based on the UK National Annexes.

The various Eurocodes make extensive use of Greek letters, details of which are given in the respective sections of this manual.

Designs which accord with the Eurocodes are both safe and economic, and are deemed to satisfy UK Building Regulations. The codes do not inhibit the exercise of engineering judgement or the production of exciting structures, but they set out sound and well understood limits to which various materials can be taken.

In relation to structural design, the codes and standards are in two groups:

1. Those relating to materials and components
2. Those relating to loading and to the design of structures.

Tables 1.1 and 1.2 list a selection of these codes and standards.

Table 1.1: Codes relating to materials and components

Material	BSI reference	Title
Timber	BS EN 336	Structural timber – sizes, permitted dev...