Question

What are structural system in architecture?

Answer 1

Solution:

• Structural system is a method of providing strenght, erection and stability to the building architecture. It is a skeleton or back bone of architectural Structure.

• Structural system ensures that applied loads safely transfers to the ground without any failure of members. Applied loads such as dead loads, live loads, winds, earthquake, etc...

• Structural system evolved with innovation in the building architecture, new materials, safety ideas. If you to walk around cities you can see many innovative structures with different systems. Following are the few of them.

(1) Load Bearing Wall and Roof.

• This is oldest structural system in which walls are takes all loads coming from slabs or roofs and safely transfers to the ground.
• We need to design wall according to heights of Structure and loads on it. For bigger structure thickness of wall also large.
• It may be wooden or stones. To resist lateral forces special attention should be given to corners of the walls. Shall be reinforced with some materials to safely carries lateral loads.
• 

(2) Post-Lintel Structural System

• It is a framed types structure in which post means column are the vertical members who supports lintel which is horizontal member.
• Load from the roofs or slab are transferred to lintels and from lintels it transferred to column. Then column safely transfers to the footing which spreads on ground.
• Infill walls also present but it can't take any loads.
• Reinforced concrete structures and steel structures are generally these types.
• 

(3) Post Slab Structural System

• In this types of system post means column directly support slab without beams.
• Slabs should be check for punching shear. Drop panels are provided around column slab support for countering punching shear.
• It's mostly suited for commercial places where largers spaces required. Due to absense of beams it may get larger head rooms.

(4) Truss system

• Trusses are generally used in industrial construction where lagers spans are required.
• No. of members are connected to each other which may be either in compression or in tension or also neutral position to form a truss.
• But due to lightweight and low erection time it may also considered in architectural Structures.
• It is generally made-up of steel, timbers as per loading conditions and type of use.
• 

(5) Shell Structure

• Shell structures are the thin plates with curved surfaces which may be used for longer span. Such as in airport roof, malls, etc.
• The shape and materials used which determines Structural capacity of shell structures.