Design Of Steel Structures 1

Prof. S.R.Satish Kumar & Prof.A.R.Santha Kumar



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INTRODUCTION

When the need for a new structure arises, an individual or agency has to arrange the funds required for its construction. The individual or agency henceforth referred to as the owner then approaches an architect. The architect plans the layout so as to satisfy the functional requirements and also ensures that the structure is aesthetically pleasing and economically feasible. In this process, the architect often decides the material and type of construction as well. The plan is then given to a structural engineer who is expected to do locate the structural elements so as to cause least interference to the function and aesthetics of the structure. He then makes the strength calculations to ensure safety and serviceability of the structure. This process is known as structural design. Finally, the structural elements are fabricated and erected by the contractor. If all the people work as a team then a safe, useful, aesthetic and economical structure is conceived. However in practice, many structures fulfill the requirements only partially because of inadequate coordination between the people involved and their lack of knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of their own and that of others. Since a structural engineer is central to this team, it is necessary for him to have adequate knowledge of the architects and contractors work. It is his responsibility to advise both the architect and the contractor about the possibilities of achieving good structures with economy. Ever since steel began to be used in the construction of structures, it has made possible some of the grandest structures both in the past and also in the present day (Fig. 1.1). In the following paragraph, some of the aspects of steel structures, which every structural engineer should know, are briefly discussed.


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