Great designs come from great analyses. The structural engineering world relies upon precise calculations and exact measurements. Reducing the margin of error is considered to be the holy grail of most structural engineering firms, including ours. Let’s go through an introduction to the structural analysis and design process. Hopefully, you’ll get a better idea of what happens behind the scenes.
Table of Contents
What Is Structural Analysis?
Performing a structural analysis aims to flush out how various materials or structures will perform under a combination of loads. Complex structures are constantly subjected to dynamic responses, stability issues, and non-linear behavior. A proper structural analysis can also identify potential problems before they occur by stimulating specific conditions.
The level of precision you’re structure exhibits will be a direct result of how detail-oriented your structural analysis is. True Structural engineering is a delicate combination of computational obstacles and conceptual challenges. Some of the ways we overcome this in the structural analysis phase are by evaluating specific conditions such as earthquakes, vibrations, harmonic stress, and other environmental loads. This information will shine a light on the best way to construct a resilient design.
The Structural Analysis Phase Is Where We Determine The Loads Put On Each Element
Dynamic instability and many other circumstances can cause catastrophic failure in your structure. Some of the types of loads we take into consideration during a structural analysis are:
- Dead loads
- Live loads
- Dynamic loads (in motion)
- Wind loads
- Earthquake loads
- Thermal loads
- Settlement loads
Through proper evaluation, knowledgeable structural analysis, and design the team will gain an understanding of what systems your project needs to deliver the best results. In a nutshell, the most critical aspect of the structural design process is the accurate calculation of acceptable loads across your entire structure.
What Is Structural Design?
The structure design process starts with selecting the proper materials and the overall structural system your building will be constructed with. This process has many variables that need to be taken into consideration. For example, economic considerations as well as ideal longevity are two factors that need to go into the process of selecting materials.
Additionally, our structural engineering team will evaluate various geometrical shapes and structures to work out which design will best suit your needs. All professional structural design processes follow a linear strategy that leads from materials loads to structural systems and eventually the conceptual design.
Improper structural design can lead to some if not multiple of the following problems:
- Failure from dynamic instability
- Failure to understand aeroelastic flutter
- Failure due to lack of ductility in concrete columns
- Failure due to liquefaction
- Failure due to earthquake
- And much more…
Using proprietary software and other tools, a team can get a picture of high load areas and understand how to flush out the perfect combination of design and engineering. To help ensure your structural design and process is completed with the utmost attention to detail, it’s important to work with a proven team that maintains a proven reputation.