The changing relationship between architects and structural engineers

2010 ◽  
pp. 21-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Structural Engineers

Measured natural periods of concrete shear wall buildings: insights for the design of Canadian buildings

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 867-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Gilles ◽  
Ghyslaine McClure
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Response Spectrum ◽  
Shear Wall ◽  
Mode Shapes ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Base Shear ◽  
Period Equation ◽  
Input Load ◽  
Structural Engineers

Structural engineers routinely use rational dynamic analysis methods for the seismic analysis of buildings. In linear analysis based on modal superposition or response spectrum approaches, the overall response of a structure (for instance, base shear or inter-storey drift) is obtained by combining the responses in several vibration modes. These modal responses depend on the input load, but also on the dynamic characteristics of the building, such as its natural periods, mode shapes, and damping. At the design stage, engineers can only predict the natural periods using eigenvalue analysis of structural models or empirical equations provided in building codes. However, once a building is constructed, it is possible to measure more precisely its dynamic properties using a variety of in situ dynamic tests. In this paper, we use ambient motions recorded in 27 reinforced concrete shear wall (RCSW) buildings in Montréal to examine how various empirical models to predict the natural periods of RCSW buildings compare to the periods measured in actual buildings under ambient loading conditions. We show that a model in which the fundamental period of RCSW buildings varies linearly with building height would be a significant improvement over the period equation proposed in the 2010 National Building Code of Canada. Models to predict the natural periods of the first two torsion modes and second sway modes are also presented, along with their uncertainty.

Proposal of orientation-independent measure of intensity for earthquake-resistant design

2021 ◽  
pp. 875529302110382
Author(s):  
Alan Poulos ◽  
Eduardo Miranda
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ground Motion ◽  
The United States ◽  
Design Codes ◽  
Intensity Measure ◽  
Independent Measure ◽  
Earthquake Resistant Design ◽  
Earthquake Resistant ◽  
Ground Motion Records ◽  
Structural Engineers

A new measure of ground motion intensity in the horizontal direction is proposed. Similarly to other recently proposed measures of intensity, the proposed intensity measure is also independent of the as-installed orientation of horizontal sensors at recording stations. This new measure of horizontal intensity, referred to as MaxRotD50, is defined using the maximum 5%-damped response spectral ordinate of two orthogonal horizontal directions and then computing the 50th percentile for all non-redundant rotation angles, that is, the median of the set of spectral ordinates in a range of 90°. This proposed measure of intensity is always between the median and maximum spectral ordinate for all non-redundant orientations, commonly referred to as RotD50 and RotD100, respectively. A set of 5065 ground motion records is used to show that MaxRotD50 is, on average, approximately 13%–16% higher than Rot50 and 6% lower than RotD100. The new measure of intensity is particularly well suited for earthquake-resistant design where a major concern for structural engineers is the probability that the design ground motion intensity is exceeded in at least one of the two principal horizontal components of the structure, which for most structures are orthogonal to each other. Currently, design codes in the United States are based on RotD100, and hence using MaxRotD50 for structures with two orthogonal principal horizontal components would result in a reduction of the ground motion intensities used for design purposes.

Crafting a framework of embodied carbon education, tracking, and reduction for US-based structural engineers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gryniuk ◽  
Dirk Kestner ◽  
Luke Lombardi ◽  
Megan Stringer ◽  
Mark Webster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Structural Engineering ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Structural System ◽  
Design Decisions ◽  
Collaborative Development ◽  
Climate Targets ◽  
Embodied Carbon ◽  
Structural Engineers

<p>Achieving reductions to embodied carbon, the global warming potential emissions due to the production of materials, is an essential component to meeting science-based climate targets. Studies have shown that a significant portion of embodied emissions within the built environment are due to structural materials. However, many structural engineers are, not only uneducated in the concept of embodied carbon, but also not aware of the role their decisions can make in addressing climate change. This is further exacerbated by a profession that does not have sufficient structural system embodied carbon benchmark information to make important and informed early design decisions. This required the collaborative development of a structural engineering commitment program, SE 2050, that is supported by leading professional organizations to spur the education and transformation of the profession.</p>

scholarly journals Work Stress among Professionals in Building Construction Industry in Nigeria

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 45-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eziyi Offia Ibem ◽  
Michael Nwabueze Anosike ◽  
Dominic Ezenwa Azuh ◽  
Tim O. Mosaku
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Work Stress ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Structural Engineers

This study was undertaken to identify key stress factors among professionals in building construction industry in Nigeria. This is in view of the fact that to date, very little is known about work stress among professionals in building construction industry in this country. The study involved the administration of questionnaire to 107 professionals including architects, builders, civil/structural engineers and quantity surveyors randomly selected from 60 ongoing building projects in Anambra, Ogun and Kaduna States, Nigeria. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, and findings show that the principal sources of stress were high volume of work, uncomfortable site office environment, lack of feedback on previous and ongoing building projects, and variations in the scope of work in ongoing building projects. The paper suggests that taking responsibility for work which one has adequate capacity to handle, establishing realistic budgets and time frame for project delivery, provision of spatially adequate, visually and thermally comfortable site offices, adoption of appropriate job design practice and education of professionals on stress management strategies will reduce the incidence of stress among professionals in building industry in Nigeria. 

Determining the Standard of Care of Structural Engineers

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua B. Kardon ◽  
Robert G. Bea ◽  
Robert Brady Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Structural Engineers

scholarly journals Numerical Derivation of Iso-Damaged Curve for a Reinforced Concrete Beam Subjected to Blast Loading

2018 ◽  
Vol 149 ◽  
pp. 02016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yehya Temsah ◽  
Ali Jahami ◽  
Jamal Khatib ◽  
M Sonebi
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Shock Waves ◽  
Concrete Beam ◽  
Blast Loading ◽  
Reinforced Concrete Beam ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Finite Element Program ◽  
Element Program ◽  
Structural Engineers

Many engineering facilities are severely damaged by blast loading. Therefore, many manufacturers of sensitive, breakable, and deformed structures (such as facades of glass buildings) carry out studies and set standards for these installations to withstand shock waves caused by explosions. Structural engineers also use these standards in their designs for various structural elements by following the ISO Damage Carve, which links pressure and Impulse. As all the points below this curve means that the structure is safe and will not exceed the degree of damage based on the various assumptions made. This research aims to derive the Iso-Damage curve of a reinforced concrete beam exposed to blast wave. An advanced volumetric finite element program (ABAQUS) will be used to perform the derivation.

scholarly journals Chapter 8 Swelling and shrinking soils

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Jones ◽  
Vanessa Banks ◽  
Ian Jefferson
Keyword(s):  
Arid Environments ◽  
Local Site ◽  
Geotechnical Characterization ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
The World ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Structural Engineers ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Swelling And Shrinking

AbstractSwelling and shrinking soils are soils that can experience large changes in volume due to changes in water content. This may be due to seasonal changes in moisture content, local site changes such as leakage from water supply pipes or drains, changes to surface drainage and landscaping, or following the planting, removal or severe pruning of trees or hedges. These soils represent a significant hazard to structural engineers across the world due to their shrink–swell behaviour, with the cost of mitigation alone running into several billion pounds annually. These soils usually contain some form of clay mineral, such as smectite or vermiculite, and can be found in humid and arid/semi-arid environments where their expansive nature can cause significant damage to properties and infrastructure. This chapter discusses the properties and costs associated with shrink–swell soils, their formation and distribution throughout the UK and the rest of the world, and their geological and geotechnical characterization. It also considers the mechanisms of shrink-swell soils and their behaviour, reviewing strategies for managing them in an engineering context, before finally outlining the problem of trees and shrink–swell soils.

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