Expert: Babak Esmailzadeh Hakimi - 1/28/2012

Question
Sir, am finding difficult to carry out design work  using architecural or building drawing due to the fact that I couldn't identify how to  do panelling, locating where point loads are acting. Assuming, am given a building plan of 2-storey building to design, what are the steps I am to adopt in order to design a building that will not collapse?

Answer
Dear Joseph

It is hard to reply such a question , but generally you must be aware of some points:

1- The projects must have an architectural team.

2- A preliminary phase report issued by architectural team will guide you through loading and construction strategies.

3- You will have to consider main loading on roofs and girders as following:

3-1- dead load
3-2- live load ( human loading , furniture, cranes in industrial buildings)
3-3- wall loading

4- Lateral loading on structure must be considered greatest of the following:
4-1- wind
4-2- earthquake loading

5- Other loadings like :
5-1- soil pressure on under ground story walls
5-2- hydrostatic loading on underwater members ( offshore structures)

6- Combination of above loading must be considered according to codes of practice like :

- c1 live load + c2 dead load
- c1 live load + c2 dead load + c3 earthquake load
- ....

7- Design of members will be done using the above loadings. Control of each strength aspect ( like moment, shear, compression, tension, torsion,...) will be performed using regulations in codes of practice.

8-  Regulations are special and different for seismic design from normal one. Some regulations must be regarded for design of columns and connections and foundations in seismic areas to provide structure with enough ductility ( plastic deformability).

9- Design of foundations must be performed regarding the area occupied by foundation.
-  good soils and low rise buildings : spread footings
-  poor soils or high rise buildings: mat foundation
-  strip footing may be considered in the situation between spread and mat

10- you must use special details for water and power risers opening in your slabs.

11- You must check the deflection of beams, girders and slabs according to codes of practice.

12- In special cases the vibrations of roofs must be controlled according to usage of the building. The resonance effect under cyclic harmonic loading must be controlled if necessary.

13- Load concentration  like some art work or statues ( like in museums ) must be considered.

14- Impact loading like in the case of elevator rooms must be considered.

15- Stress concentration and additional stress due to eccentricities in your structure must be considered in design. Stress concentrations are very hazardous specially in the case of earthquakes.


16-...........

Good Luck
Babak Esmailzadeh Hakimi