Structural Systems Flashcards
6 cards from real Architecture practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Structural Systems flashcards as text
What is creep in concrete structures?
Answer: Long-term deformation under sustained load beyond initial elastic deformation
Creep is the gradual, time-dependent deformation of concrete under sustained loading, which can cause long-term deflections in slabs and beams.
In steel construction, what is a wide-flange (W-shape) section most efficient at resisting?
Answer: Bending about the strong axis
Wide-flange sections have most of their area concentrated in the flanges far from the neutral axis, making them highly efficient at resisting strong-axis bending.
What does the term 'base shear' refer to in seismic design?
Answer: Total lateral seismic force at the base of the building
Base shear is the total lateral seismic force acting at the base of the structure, which the foundation and structural system must resist.
What is the purpose of a moment connection splice in a steel frame?
Answer: Transferring both shear and bending moment across a joint
A moment connection splice is designed to transfer both shear forces and bending moments across a joint, maintaining continuity of the structural frame.
What is the slenderness ratio in column design?
Answer: The effective length divided by the radius of gyration, indicating buckling susceptibility
The slenderness ratio (KL/r) is the effective length divided by the radius of gyration, and higher values indicate greater susceptibility to buckling failure.
What is the primary advantage of a space frame structural system?
Answer: Three-dimensional load distribution allowing long spans without interior supports
Space frames distribute loads three-dimensionally through a network of struts, enabling very long column-free spans useful for arenas and airport terminals.