Strength of Materials for Architecture

Elviro T. Apuya , Uap, Pspe, Earohp

Assistant Professor 1,
Bicol University Institute of Architecture
East Campus, Legazpi City

Objectives of the Course:

The objective of this course is elaborate on the knowledge of engineering mechanics (statics) and to teach the
students the purpose of studying strength of materials with respect to Architectural engineering design and
analysis. The course introduces the students to the concepts of mechanic of materials and the behaviour of the
materials and structures under applied loads.

Learning Outcomes
When this course has been completed the student should be able to:

Apply the knowledge of fundamental sciences mainly mathematics and physics to identify, formulate and solve
Architectural engineering problems including stress, strain and deflection calculations as well as calculating axial
force, shear and bending moment diagrams used in architecture engineering analysis and design.

Course‘s Contribution to Program

CL
1 Ability to relate and apply fundamental sciences to learning the essential architectural
engineering concepts and theories of different branches.
2 Ability to understand the derivation of these concepts and theories by relating them
to the real-life engineering cases within the related architectural engineering branch.
3 Ability to define clearly and analyse the engineering problems by applying the
introduced architectural engineering concepts and theories of the related branch.
4 Ability to use decision-making skills and perform design calculations correctly for the
solution of the defined problem/project by applying the introduced theories of the
related architectural engineering branch.
5 Ability to understand and carry out the practical applications of learned architectural
engineering concepts and theories on site and/or laboratory
6 Ability to use software packages for the analysis and/or the design of the defined
architectural engineering problems/projects.
7 Ability to manage time and resources effectively and efficiently while carrying out
architectural engineering projects.
8 Ability to participate in team-works in a harmonized manner for the solution of the
targeted problem.
9 Ability to write technical reports and/or to carry out presentations on the studied
architectural engineering project using the modern techniques and facilities
10 Ability to carry out and finalize a architectural engineering study/project by showing
professional ethics.

List of Symbols and Abbreviations

Because the Roman and Greek alphabets contain a finite number of letters, symbols are recycled and used for
more than one term. Check the context of the equation to figure out what the unit means in that equation.
Other science and engineering disciplines use different symbols for common terms. For example, P is used for
point load here; in Physics classes, F is commonly used for point load. Some older Strength of Materials texts use
µ for Poisson's ratio’s for stress, and e for strain; the formulas are the same, but the labels differ.

Symbol Term U.S. Units SI Units

α Thermal expansion coefficient °F-1 °C-1
γ Shear strain ⋯ ⋯
γ specific weight lb./in.3, lb./ft.3 N/m3
δ Change in dimension (length, diameter, etc.) in. mm
Δ Change ⋯ ⋯
Δ Beam deflection in. mm
ε Strain ⋯ ⋯
ν Poisson's ratio ⋯ ⋯
ρ Density slug/ft.3 kg/m3
σ Normal (perpendicular) stress psi, ksi MPa
τ Shear (parallel) stress psi, ksi MPa
θ Angle of twist (radians) (radians)
A,a Area in.2 mm2,m2
A' partial area of beam section in.2 mm2, m2
ā,ƃ coordinate of centroid moment diagram caused by simply
supported load in mm
b breadth, width in. mm
c Torsion problem: distance from centroid to outer surface
Beam problem: distance from neutral axis to outer surface in., mm
D,d Diameter in. mm
E modulus of elasticity in tension or compression psi, ksi Mpa
e Eccentricity in. mm
f frequency Hz
fc compressive stress in concrete psi,ksi Mpa
fs unit tensile stress in reinforcing steel psi, ksi Mpa
G Shear modulus (a.k.a. modulus of rigidity) psi, ksi MPa
g gravitational acceleration 32.2ft/s² 9.81m/s²
F.S. Factor of safety ⋯ ⋯
h Height, depth dimension of a rectangle in. mm
I Moment of inertia in.4 mm4
INA moment of inertia with respect to neutral axis in4 mm4
Ī centroidal moment of inertia in4 mm4
J Polar moment of inertia in.4 mm4
ǰ centroidal polar moment of inertia in4 mm4
K Stress concentration factor ⋯ ⋯
k spring constant radius of gyration ⋯ ⋯
L Length (of a tension member or a beam) ft. m
Le effective length of column in. m
M Moment lb.⋅ft., kip⋅ft. kN⋅m
m mass cu.ft cu.m
N Normal force, factor of safety ⋯ ⋯
n ratio of modulus of elasticity
p Fluid pressure psi, ksi kPa
P Point load lb., kip kN
Pcr Euler critical buckling load lb., kip kN
Q Term in the General Shear Formula in.3 mm3
R Radius (of a hole, fillet, or groove) in. mm
r Radius of gyration in. mm
R Reaction force lb., kip kN
S Section modulus in.3 mm3
t Thickness in. mm
tf Thickness of the flange of a steel W-beam in. mm
tw Thickness of the web of a steel W-beam in. mm
T Torque lb.⋅ft., kip⋅ft. kN⋅m
T Temperature °F °C
V Shear load lb., kip kN
w Distributed load (weight per unit length) lb./ft., kip/ft. kN/m
W Weight lb., kip kN
x, y, z Orthogonal axes in three-dimensional space: x is horizontal,
y is vertical, and z is into the page. ⋯ ⋯
x Distance along the x-axis in., ft. mm, m
y Distance along the y-axis, such as the distance from the
neutral axis in beam problems in., ft. mm, m
y Distance from the reference axis to the x-x axis of a
composite shape [moment of inertia problems] in. mm
y Term in the General Shear Formula in. mm
z Distance along the z-axis in., ft. mm, m
Z Plastic section modulus in.3 mm3

Greek Letters
Upper case Lower case Name Upper case Lower case Name
A α Alpha Ν ν Nu
B β Beta Ξ ξ Xi
Γ γ Gamma O ο Omicron
Δ δ Delta Π π Pi
E ε Epsilon P ρ Rho
Z ζ Zeta Σ σ Sigma
H η Eta T τ Tau
Θ θ Theta Y υ Upsilon
I ι Iota Φ ϕ Phi
K κ Kappa X χ Chi
Λ λ Lambda Ψ ψ Psi
M μ Mu Ω ω Omega
 Introduction to Strength of Materials
What is Strength of Materials?
The Pre-requisite of Strength of Materials at most colleges and universities is a course in Statics: the study of
forces acting in equilibrium on rigid bodies.

Bodies are solid objects, like steel cables, gear teeth, timber beams, bones, and axle shafts; rigid means the
bodies do not stretch, bend, or twist; and equilibrium means the rigid bodies are not accelerating. Most
problems in a Statics textbook also assume the rigid bodies are stationary. These assumptions do not match
reality perfectly, but they simplify the math. This model is close enough to reality to be useful for many
practical problems.
In Strength of Materials, we keep the assumptions of bodies in equilibrium, but we drop the “rigid”
assumption. Real cables stretch under tension, real floor joists bend when you walk across a wood floor, real
bones flex when you move, and real axle shafts twist under torsional load.

Units
Learning Objectives

At the end of this introductory chapter you should be able to

•Demonstrate familiarity with the study procedure, performance expectations and components of the
course
• Perform units conversions problems within SI and US Customary systems
Study procedure

Delivery of this course is based on the Applied Strength of Materials for Architectural Engineering Technology.
This resource will be referred to as the module.

For best results students should adhere to the following sequence:

1. Before class, study the theory and review the sample problems in the textbook. Some topics were already
covered in Applied Physics but you will benefit from a brief review.

2. To reinforce the concepts, review the key notes in the supplement. Take notes of the concepts you found
challenging and ask for clarifications in class.

3. Classroom lectures:
◦ Instructor will review the theoretical concepts and answer questions

◦ Instructor will demonstrate solving selected problems. When needed, instructor’s notes will
be published on line.

◦ Students will solve assigned problems in small groups, with guidance from instructor
4. Individual work

◦ Students will solve assigned problems on their own, for self-evaluation.

◦ Instructor will provide guidance and feedback during posted office hours or Tutorial Sessions
Course evaluation:

• Each chapter will be assessed through quizzes or assignments.

• Midterm and Final examinations. Combined passing score is 60%.

• Attendance will be monitored but is not mandatory.

Recommendations

Strength of Materials is a “methodical” discipline. This means that it deals in general with standard/classical
questions that usually have an established method of solving them. When solving problems students often
follow steps and procedures that were previously demonstrated in class or in the textbook. These approaches
are logical and never students would be expected to memorize them. However, it is important for students to
practice solving questions on their own since this will help them see patterns in questions, provide them with
problems solving experience and help them complete the exercise in the allotted time.

For best results, students are encouraged to work after classes between 2 and 3 hours for each hour of lecture.
This effort will be different for each student. To manage your time more efficiently consider attending the
weekly scheduled tutorials.

Units and conversions

Like in many other engineering disciplines calculations may be performed in both systems of units, US
Customary

The Factor-Label Method of Unit Conversion

Three Simple Steps

Step 1 Write the algebraic equation so the desired quantity is on the left of the equals sign, and an algebraic
expression is on the right of the equals sign.
Step 2 Draw a horizontal line on the page, and enter numbers and units above and below the line according to
the algebraic expression.
Step 3 Draw a vertical line to show the separation between each unit conversion, and enter all unit conversions
necessary to solve the problem. If the unit is raised to a power, then the conversion factor and unit must
be raised to that power.

1ft 12in Metric Prefixes

1m 100cm milli- m = 10−3
1cm 10mm Centi- c = 10−2
1kip 10³lb kilo k = 10³
1Pa 1N/m² Mega M = 10⁶
1N 1kg.m/s² Giga G = 10⁹
 Example # 1
The area of a rectangle is A =b•h, as shown. Given a base b= 83 in. and a height h= 45 ft.
Calculate the area in square feet.

Step 1. The algebraic equation does not need to be manipulated

Step 2. Draw the horizontal line . Enter 83 in . 45ft in the numerator.

A=b•h = h
Step 3. We want to eliminate inches to obtain a final result in
square feet. Therefore, put 12 inches in the denominator of
the unit conversion, and 1 ft. in the numerator.
b

A= bh= = 311.25 ft²

Example # 2
Stress is the force divided by area. If the stress is 1N/mm² , What is the stress in MPa ?

Step 1. There is no algebra to solve because we are converting one unit to another.

Step 2. Draw horizontal line. Enter 1 N in the numerator

and mm² in the denominator.
Step 3. A Pascal is defined as Pa= N/m², so enter Pa in the

numerator . Instead of writing in N/m² the denominator,

put N in the denominator and m² in the numerator.

Now enter the unit conversions to eliminate the two area terms:

m² and mm². There are 10³ mm in a meter so use parentheses

to square the number and the unit.

Finally 1MPa=10⁶Pa. Put MPa in the numerator and 10⁶ Pa in the

Denominator.

Cross out duplicate Terms and solve the equation with the

Number in units, so we get 1n/mm² =1 MPa =1MPa

This is a useful conversion factor.
Example # 3
Deflection due to thermal expansion is d=a•L•DT . The upper-case Greek letter T1
Delta means “ change “ , so DT means “ change in temperature” An 8 ft. long bar L
at 70˚F has a thermal expansion coefficient of a=10¯⁶ in./in.˚F. How hot is bar
when it expands 0.060in.? T2

Step1. Use DT =T2 –T1 to rewrite the equation d=a•L•DT = a•L (T2 –T1 ) d

Algebraically and solve for T2 .

T2 –T1 = T2=T1 +

Step 2 . enter 70˚F, then draw a horizontal line. Enter

0.06 in. in the numerator. Since the units for are a T2 =70˚F +
¯
6
fraction, enter 5 x10 in.in the denominator and in.˚F
in the numerator. Enter 8 ft. in the denominator.

Step 3. Convert feet to 12 inches so the length units to T2 =70˚F + =195˚F

¯
cancel, and the result is in ˚F.

Other Option for Convertion

Examples – SI system:

1. Convert 0.2 km to cm

• When performing SI conversions it is easy to see if your answer is reasonable or not. For instance if
you move from a large unit (kilo) to a smaller one (centi), the resulting value should be greater.

• Looking at Fig. 1, you may also consider moving the decimal point to the right, three steps from Kilo
to base and two more steps from base to your final answer. This is an alternative approach to
performing SI conversions.

2, Convert 50 000 cW to kW

50,000cW x = 0.5kW

• Note that some units may be presented with a less commonly used prefixes. For instance, while “centimeter” is
frequently used, “centiwatts” not so much. However, you should be able to identify the prefix and the unit it applies to.
Activity No.1
A) Stress is force divided by area: s= P/A Given a force P = 7000 lb. acting on an area A = 3 ft.2, calculate the stress in
units of pounds per square inch (psi).

P
A
P*L
B) A steel tensile bar stretches an amount δ= where P is the applied load, L is
A*E
the length of the bar, A is the cross-sectional area, and E is Young’s Modulus. The bar
has a circular cross section. Given a load of 30 kN, a length of 80 cm, a diameter
of 6 mm, and a Young’s Modulus of 207 GPa , calculate the L L+δ
deflection in mm.

P
C) Convert 1.2 yards to inches. Show the conversion equation.

D) Convert 2 square feet to square inches. Show the conversion equation.

E) The hoop stress in a pressure vessel is calculated with the formula shoop= where p is the design pressure,
di is the inside diameter and t is the wall thickness.

1. If p = 4450 kPa, di = 1.8 m and t = 20 mm, determine the hoop stress in the wall, in MPa.

2. If p = 645 psi, di = 6 feet and t = ¾ in, determine the hoop stress in the wall, in ksi.