Structural Design Considerations For Engineers

Effective structural design is challenging as the process requires an engineer to carefully consider loads, stresses, and forces at every step. They must also think about the environment in which it will be built and how it might affect other nearby structures. In this article, we share a few of the most important structural design considerations an engineer should keep in mind at all times. But first, let’s recap what exactly is meant by structural design.

What Is Structural Design?

Structural design covers the planning, analysis, and selection of structural elements for a given building project. The process must take into account all loads that the structure will be subject to during its lifetime which can be either static (the weight of the building itself) or dynamic (wind, earthquake, or impact forces.

The ultimate goal of structural design is to ensure that the finished structure is safe, stable, and durable. To achieve this, engineers must have a thorough understanding of all the loads that will be acting on the structure, as well as the material properties of the various elements that make up the structure. With this knowledge, they can then select the best possible configuration of elements to resist all loads, which includes the following:

Dead Loads

The first consideration in any structural design is the dead load. This is the weight of all the permanent components of the structure, such as the walls, floors, roof, windows, doors, and so on. The dead load also includes the weight of any non-permanent components that will be left in place for an extended period of time, such as cladding or insulation.

Live Loads

The second consideration is live loads, which are all the temporary loads that the structure will be subject to during its lifetime. These include things like the weight of furniture, people, and vehicles. Live loads can be either static (e.g., a group of people standing on a floor) or dynamic (e.g., a car driving over a bridge).

Wind Loads

Wind loads are another important consideration in structural design. These are the forces that the wind exerts on the structure. Wind loads can be either static (e.g., the wind pressure on a tall building) or dynamic (e.g., the wind forces acting on a swaying tree).

Earthquake Loads

Earthquake loads are another type of dynamic load that must be considered in structural design. These are the forces that are exerted on a structure during an earthquake. Earthquake loads can be either static (e.g., the weight of the building itself) or dynamic (e.g., the shaking and vibrations caused by an earthquake)

Impact Loads

Impact loads are another type of dynamic load that must be considered in structural design. These are the forces that are exerted on a structure when something hits it. Impact loads can be either static (e.g., the weight of the object that hit the structure) or dynamic (e.g., the kinetic energy of the impact).

Thermal Loads

Thermal loads are another type of static load that must be considered in structural design. These are the forces that are exerted on a structure by temperature changes. Thermal loads can be either positive (e.g., the expansion of materials in a structure as the temperature increases) or negative (e.g., the contraction of materials in a structure as the temperature decreases).

These are just a few of the most important loads that must be considered in structural design. Other types of loads include hydrostatic, soil, and water loads which can also impact building safety and stability.

Next, we look at a few important structural design considerations engineers must keep in mind.

Key Considerations For Structural Design

Before starting any new building project, engineers need to consider several key structural design details. By referencing architectural drawings, they can prepare a comprehensive structural analysis and design plan for the best possible results. Here are some of the most important factors to consider in structural design:

1. Purpose Or Function Of The Structure

Before anything else, it’s important to think about the purpose of the structure. What will it be used for? How many people will be using it? What kind of loads will it need to support? Answering these questions will help to determine things like the size, shape and type of material used in the structural design process. The structure should also accommodate people with different abilities and disabilities, providing everyone with easy and equal access.

2. Strength Of The Building

Among the most important considerations in structural design is the strength of the structure. Engineering must consider the kind of elements it will be exposed to — think weather conditions like heavy rains, strong wind or severe snowstorms, as well as natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. They also need to consider how much weight the structure will need to bear and how many people it can accommodate simultaneously. If a building is not sturdy enough or designed correctly according to code, it could put everyone’s lives at risk!

Recommended: Steelwork in Construction: Everything You Need To Know

3. Safety In Structural Design

As you can imagine, safety in structural design goes hand-in-hand with the strength of the building. There are several ways to ensure safety, whether through warning systems or by making sure that the structure can withstand extreme conditions. To get this right, engineers must consider how each component will contribute to the overall stability of the structure in all scenarios.

For example, when designing a structure with pillars made from concrete and steel beams, structural engineers must ensure that these materials are strong and flexible enough so they don’t fall apart when faced with heavy rains, strong winds, an earthquake or any other unexpected event.

4. Cost Of The Structure

In addition to safety, strength and purpose, another vital consideration in structural design is the cost. As with most things in life, the cost is one of the biggest factors in the structural design process and a tremendous driving force behind many engineering decisions. Some of the costs associated with designing a structure include:

• cost of materials
• labour and maintenance
• energy usage
• transportation
• costs associated with the disposal of structures after they’ve served their purpose

Engineers must determine if their design will necessitate expensive materials or continuous upkeep, as these elements can dramatically elevate future costs.

5. Structure Location And The Type Of Foundation

Another important consideration is the location of the structure. This includes elements like the climate, the soil type and the seismic activity in the area, where applicable. With that in mind, the type of foundation is also important as different types are better suited for specific structures and soil conditions. For example, a shallow foundation might be suitable for a small structure in firm soil, whereas a deep foundation would be needed for a taller structure in soft soil.

6. The Type Of Loads In Structural Design

As mentioned in the previous section, determining the type of load during the structural design process is crucial! If you can recall, these can be classified as either dead loads or live loads. Dead loads (permanent loads) are the weights of the materials used in the structure itself, such as the bricks in a wall or the wood in a frame. On the opposite end are live loads (applied loads) which refer to temporary loads like the weight of people or furniture inside the structure.

7. The Type Of Construction

Another key consideration is the type of construction that will be used. This includes things like the method of assembly and the materials used. For example, a structure made from pre-cast concrete would be assembled differently than one made from a wood or aluminium framework.

8. Environmental Impact

In recent years, environmental sustainability has become an increasingly important factor in structural design. As we become more aware of the impact our buildings have on our world, engineers are looking for ways to design structures that are not only safe and functional but also eco-friendly and more energy-efficient. This might include using sustainable materials, incorporating green roofing or using passive solar design principles.

9. Structural Design Aesthetics

Last but certainly not least is the appearance of the structure. While the primary focus in structural design is usually function over form, it still needs to look good whether it’s a bridge, a factory unit or a skyscraper. Since we are all different with varying opinions and preferences regarding what looks good, design is a subjective topic. That said, most people would agree that a simple colour scheme and uncluttered design would help improve the appearance.

Conclusion: Structural Design And Engineering

As you can see, there are many important considerations that go into the structural design process. From safety and strength to cost and aesthetics, engineers have a lot to think about before they even start the design process. But, by taking all of these factors into account, they can ensure that the structure is safe, stable and fit for its intended purpose.

At PRV Engineering, we’ve been supplying steelwork and steel fabrications to the construction industry for over twenty years. We manufacture, and in many cases, install, high-quality products including bespoke platforms, balconies, balustrades and handrails in both mild steel and stainless steel.

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