Structural Engineering - Structural Elements

Structural Elements

Any structure is essentially made up of only a small number of different types of elements:

  • Columns
  • Beams
  • Plates
  • Arches
  • Shells
  • Catenaries

Many of these elements can be classified according to form (straight, plane / curve) and dimensionality (one-dimensional / two-dimensional):

One-dimensional Two-dimensional
straight curve plane curve
(predominantly) bending beam continuous arch plate, concrete slab lamina, dome
(predominant) tensile stress rope Catenary shell
(predominant) compression pier, column Load-bearing wall

Read more about this topic:  Structural Engineering

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