THEORY OF
STRUCTURES
ENGR. MARY JANE T. RUPIDO
THEORY OF STRUCTURES
Subject Code: ASTRUCT
Time/Day: 7AM-11AM/12PM-4PM/Saturday
Section Code: ARC221/ARC222
Room: 409
AY/Term: 2024-2025 2nd term
Faculty: Engr. Mary Jane T. Rupido
INTRODUCTION
The Theory of Structures bridges the art of
architecture with the science of engineering,
empowering you to design not just visually
captivating, but also structurally sound buildings.
This subject will guide you through the principles that
govern how structures stand, resist forces, and
respond to environmental challenges.
IMPORTANCE
• Ensures safety and stability
• Bridges art and science
• Enhances design efficiency
• Empowers creativity
• Improves collaboration with Engineers
• Provides insights from structural failures
• Prepares for advanced challenges
STRUCTURE
- Any arrangement of parts connected to each other
to serve different purposes.
- In engineering, a structure refers to any system
designed and constructed to support, resist, and
transmit applied loads while maintaining its stability
and integrity.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
STRUCTURE
1. Support Loads
2. Load Transfer
3. Stability
4. Durability
5. Types
CLASSIFICATION OF STRUCTURES
1. Based on Function/Purpose
Buildings
Bridges
Towers
Dams
Industrial Structures
CLASSIFICATION OF STRUCTURES
2. Based on Load Transfer Mechanism
Trusses
Frames
Shells
Arches
Cables and Membranes
CLASSIFICATION OF STRUCTURES
3. Based on Materials
Steel Structures
Concrete Structures
Timber Structures
Masonry Structures
Composite Structures
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
a. Columns – vertical members designed to carry
compressive loads from beams or slabs to the
foundation
Types:
Axially Loaded Columns
Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Short Columns
Long (Slender) Columns
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
b. Beams – horizontal or inclined members
designed to resist bending moments and shear
forces
Types:
Simply Supported Beam
Cantilever Beam
Continuous Beam
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
c. Slabs – horizontal plate-like members used
to distribute loads over large areas
Types:
One-Way Slab
Two-Way Slab
Flat Slab
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
d. Walls – vertical members that enclose
spaces and may carry structural loads
Types:
Load-Bearing Walls
Non-Load-Bearing Walls
Shear Walls
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
e. Trusses – a framework of triangular
units made of straight members. Often use
in roofing, and bridge
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
f. Foundations – structural members that
transfer loads from superstructure to the
ground
Types:
Shallow Foundations
Deep Foundations
SUMMARY OF INTERACTION OF
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
- Columns support beams
- Beams support slabs
- Walls provide stability
- Foundations anchor the entire system to
the ground
SUPPORTS
- determine how a structure is connected to
its surroundings and how forces are
transferred
TYPES OF SUPPORT
1. Fixed Support – restrains all types of
movement (vertical & horizontal) and
rotation
2. Pinned (Hinged) Support – allows
rotation but restrains movement in any
directions
TYPES OF SUPPORT
3. Roller Support – allows horizontal and
vertical movement while restricting movement in
one direction and allowing rotation
4. Simply Supported – a support that allows
rotation and horizontal or vertical movement but
restricts displacement in one direction
LOADS
- forces or stresses that a structure must resist to
maintain its stability and integrity. Different types
of loads act on a structure depending on its
purpose, environment, and design.
TYPES OF LOADS
Dead Loads (Static Loads) – permanent,
stationary loads acting on a structure due to its
own weight and fixed components
Live Loads (Imposed Loads) – variable loads
that change in magnitude and position over time
TYPES OF LOADS
Environmental Loads – loads arise from
environmental factors and can vary significantly
a. Wind Loads – forces exerted by wind pressure
on a structure’s surfaces
b. Snow Loads – loads due to the accumulation of
snow or ice on a structure
c. Earthquake Loads (Seismic Loads) – dynamic
forces generated by ground motion during
earthquakes
TYPES OF LOADS
Dynamic Loads – loads that vary in magnitude,
direction, or location with time
Lateral Loads – horizontal forces acting on a
structure
Impact Loads – sudden, high-intensity forces
due to collisions or moving objects
TYPES OF LOADS
Soil Pressure Loads – loads exerted by the soil
against foundations or retaining walls
Hydrostatic and Buoyant Loads – pressure
exerted by water or other fluids on submerged or
partially submerged structures
TYPES OF LOADS
Fatigue Loads – repeated, cyclic loading
leading to materials fatigue over time
Combination Loads – a combination of two or
more types of loads acting simultaneously
STATICALLY DETERMINATE &
INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES
Statically Determinate – can solve for all
reactions and internal forces using only
equilibrium
Statically Indeterminate – need more than just
equilibrium to solve for reactions and internal
forces
EQUILIBRIUM
- when all external forces including
moments acting on it are balanced. This
means that the net result of all the external
forces and moments acting on this object is
zero
DEGREE OF INDETERMINACY
- the difference between the number of unknown reaction
forces and the number of equations of equilibrium
Statically Determinate
DoI = 0
Statically Indeterminate
DoI > 0
TRUSSES
DoI = Reactions plus Elements (Members)
minus 2 times Connections
FRAMES
Cut structure into free-body diagrams
- cut at all releases (hinges, joints, etc.)
- make sure there are no closed loops
DoI = Unknowns minus 3 times Free Bodies
