Structural Engineering is the Basis For Residential Dwelling Construction

Structural engineering is a complex process that iscalculations. Certain computer software designed
vital to the construction of any residential dwelling.specifically for the calculation of
The knowledge base of the structural engineer* beam design
aids in the calculation the values and* floor beam span
measurements of the construction materials, their* rafter design
placement within the structure, and the types of* header size and span
materials selected for the project.* floor joist load
Calculating Values* cantilever floor joist load
Calculating the necessary measurements and* residential I beam spansare useful for quickly
properties of construction materials for acalculating these values.
residential dwelling is a complex andDetermining Building Materials
time-consuming process.Steel and solid sawn wood are the traditional
For example, when calculating the necessary sizeconstruction materials used in creating structures.
of I beams in residential buildings, you mustModern technology has resulted in the emergence
consider multiple factors:of new composite materials and combinations of
* maximum bending moment of the beamnatural materials that improve the construction
* maximum deflection of the beam at the centerprocess, cost, weight, strength, and stability of a
of the spanstructure.
* width, length, and depth of the beamSolid sawn wood, structural composites, tube
* moment of inertiasteel, solid steel, glulams (glued- laminated
* constant psi rating for the material the beam istimbers), manufactured beams, and I joists are all
comprised ofused in differing combinations during the
You must also consider the exterior dimensions ofconstruction process.
the home, the span if the beams and floor joistsSince each of these materials behaves differently
the dead and live loads for the structure, and theunder the stress of a load, calculating the required
design style of the roof. If any interior walls willmeasurements and values for construction
support the weight of the roof, this will affect thebecomes even more complex. The physics behind
necessary I beam size throughout the residentialthe effects of weight, wind, water, temperature,
dwelling.and snow directly affect the construction process.
Required calculations for determining the size of aResidential dwelling construction requires a broad
residential steel beam include the allowable bendingknowledge base, prior construction experience,
stress for structural steel, the moment of inertia,and an understanding of the physics related to
and the section modulus of the required beam.the construction materials and the forces that
A structural engineer generally performs theseaffect them.