For decades engineers have been concerned with finding ways to reduce the dead load of a buildings structural system. This thesis investigates the potential of reducing the dead load of a structure by creating new lighter-weight floor systems using various configurations of mixed materials. Floor systems have a/ways been one of the heaviest components of a buildings structural system, and therefore comprise a significant portion of the structures dead load. As a result, by developing a substantially lighter-weight floor system it should be possible to reduce the entire weight of a buildings structural system, from the framing members down to the foundations. This paper presents some alternatives that might be considered in designing these lightweight floors. / Master of Science

The objective of the Standing Seam Roof Systems Research Project at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is to develop a design procedure for the strength of Z-purlin supported standing seam roof systems under gravity leading. Various approaches were taken to calculate the strength of systems with either torsional restraint, third point span restraint, or midspan restraint. Since few test results are available for single and three span continuous, two purlin line systems, the primary focus of this research is analytical. Even though the test setup used for these tests does not represent actual field conditions, the data obtained will be extremely useful in the development of analytical models to predict system strength. However, at least four multiple purlin line tests will be required to verify the accuracy of the design procedure. The analytical formulation will include the effects of sliding friction in the clips and "drape" restraint effects of the standing seam deck. / Master of Science

A circular thin plate under radial compressive forces resting on an elastic foundation not in attachment was studied with regard to it's behavior in the 2nd mode shape. Two regions of action are controlled by two differential equations of the fourth order which were solved in terms of the Bessel functions. The relations between the foundation modulus and the buckling load were found from two characteristic equations expressed in terms of Bessel functions. / Master of Science

In recent years there has been a constant search for better and more economical structures in the field of structural engineering. Within the past ten to twenty years this search has resulted in the introduction of two new structural systems: prestressed concrete and composite design. Each of these new construction methods has advantages and limitations. A new idea of combining these two structural systems into one could result in more economical structures particularly suited for long span bridges. The slab-and-stringer bridge is one of the most common types in highway construction. Such a bridge is composed of two principal load-carrying elements: the steel beams which transfer the loads in the direction along the bridge axis, and the concrete slab which distributes the loads in the transverse direction to the steel beams. If some appropriate mechanical device is used to connect the steel beams end concrete slab together, the concrete slab can act as a cover plate for the beams and assist the beams in carrying the load in the longitudinal direction. Such a structure is known as a Conventional Composite Structure. If such a structure is prestressed with high-strength steel cables, it acquires additional qualities. The principle of prestressing in steel structures is not used to overcome tensile deficiencies of the material, as ls the case for concrete, but to build opposing stresses into members in order to counteract the stresses caused by external forces. When favorable residual stresses have been induced in such structures they will be capable of carrying greater loads than their conventional counterpart. It is the objective of this thesis: (1) to investigate the physical properties of the materials used in prestressed composite structures, (2) to discuss the methods for construction, (3) to develop a usable design technique for simply supported and continuous beams, (4) to discuss the layout of prestressing cables in continuous prestressed composite beams, (5) to show the use of equations for selecting the steel beam cf the prestressed composite structure, and (6) to illustrate the design of prestressed composite structures with typical problems. / Master of Science

A light gage steel folded plate model structure was fabricated and tested under a uniform pressure to determine the relative stiffness of this type of structure. Deflections at mid and quarter spans were measured and compared with values determined by a rational method of analysis. A different approach to the analysis was introduced in which values of equivalent moment of inertia were determined for each plate cross-section so that compatibility along adjoining longitudinal edges would be assured. The experimental and theoretical results were in good agreement. / Master of Science

In this study, connection classification system is developed on the basis of previous classifications. Further, flexible connections are modeled by matrix displacement method. The effect of flexible connections are studied on gable frames. Firstly, flush end-plate connections with single row of bolts at the tension flange, are classified. The classification system was developed in this study. End plate connections whose moment-rotation curves are known arc classified on the basis of moments as FR (fully restrained) and PR (partially restrained) connections. Further, the connections are also classified by entering a plot with coordinates - Ratio of Moment at the connection and plastic moment and ratio of corresponding rotation and rotation at plastic moment. Depending on the location the connection can be classified. Secondly, for connections, the rotational stiffness is determined from the moment rotation curves and used in the computer code to implement flexible connections. The effect is studied on gable frames. For the loading and frame used there is not much variation in moments at the flexible joints due to connection flexibility and hence flush end plate connections can be used in gable frames effectively / Master of Science

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Carleton University, 1999. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

No description available.

Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Adequate member design is a vital part of structural design. Current design software automates the design process by making use of the finite element model to create a design model. Although this is time effective, the engineer has limited control over the factors and procedures that are used for design. This leads to a lack of confidence in the eventual design results.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Connections are a vitally important part of any structural framework. Thisstatement may seem obvious, yet it is surprisinghow often insufficient attention is given to the design of this essential aspect of steelwork projects. This thesis concentrates on developing a specification for designing steel connections with the main emphasis on the practical and economical design of typical connections. The design methods of the specification are developed according to the new South African design code which is currently in draft form, namely SANS10162:Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel: Part 1: Limit States Design of hot-rolled steelwork - 2002. An object-oriented framework and associated graphical user interface for designing the connections are developed and implemented. The primary objectives of the implemented framework are: • Being generic in the sensethat it allows for easy addition of additional connection types, • To implement the design paradigm of the South African code, without fixing specific parameter values programmatically in the implementation and • To build on an existing architecture that allows for structural analysis,structural steel member design and distributed collaboration in the design process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verbindings vorm In uiters belangrike deel van enige staal struktuur. Alhoewel hierdie stelling dalk vanselfsprekend mag wees, is dit egter verbasend hoe selde voldoende aandag aan die ontwerp van hierdie essensiëleaspek van staalwerk projekte gegee word. Hierdie tesis konsentreer op die ontwikkeling van In spesifikasievir die ontwerp van staal verbindings met die oog op praktiese en ekonomiese ontwerp van tipiese verbindings. Hierdie ontwerpmetodes isgebasseer op die nuwe Suid Afrikaanse ontwerpkode wat tans in proef-vorm is, naamlik SANS 10162: Gebruikskode vir Stoa/bouwerk: Dee/I: Grenstoestandontwerp vir warmgewa/ste staa/werk - 2002. In Objek orienteerde raamwerk en In geassosieerde grafiese gebruikerskoppelvlak word ontwikkel en geimplimenteer. Die primêre mikpunte van hierdie geimplimenteerde raamwerk is: • Om generies te wees in die sin dat dit die byvoeging van addisionele verbinding tipes toelaat, • Om die paradigma van die Suid Afrikaanse kode te implimenteer sonder om enige waardes van spesifieke parameters programmaties vas te lê, en • Om dit op In bestaande argitektuur te bou wat strukturele analise, strukturele ontwerp en verspreide samewerking in die ontwerpproses toelaat.