The termstructural system orstructural frame instructural engineering refers to theload-resistingsub-system of a building or object. The structural system transfersloads through interconnectedelements or members.
Commonly used structures can be classified into five major categories, depending on the type of primarystress that may arise in the members of the structures under major design loads. However any two or more of the basic structural types described in the following may be combined in a single structure, such as a building or abridge in order to meet the structure's functional requirements.[1]
Tensile structures: Members of tensile structures are subject to puretension under the action of external loads. Because the tensile stress is uniformly distributed over thecross-sectional area of members, the material of such a structure is utilized in the most efficient manner.
Compressive structures: Compression structures develop mainlycompressive stresses under the action of axial loads. Because compressive structures are susceptible tobuckling or instability, the possibility of these failures should be considered in their design. If necessary, adequatebracing must be provided to avoid such failures.
Trusses: Trusses are composed of straight members connected at their ends byhinged connections to form a stable configuration. Because of their light weight and high strength, they are among the most commonly used types of structure.
Shear structures: These are structures such asreinforced concrete or woodenshear walls, which are used in multistory buildings to reduce lateral movements due towind loads and earthquake excitations. Shear structures develop mainlyin-plane shear with relatively small bending stresses under the action of external loads.
Bending structures: Bending structures develop mainlybending stresses under the action of external loads. The shear stresses associated with the changes in bending moments may also be significant, and should be considered in their design.
The structural system of ahigh-rise building is designed to cope with vertical gravity loads as well aslateral loads caused by wind or seismic activity. The structural system consists only of the members designed to carry the loads, and all other members are referred to as non-structural.
A classification for the structural system of a high-rise was introduced in 1969 byFazlur Khan and was extended to incorporate interior and exterior structures. The primary lateral load-resisting system defines if a structural system is an interior or exterior one.[2] The following interior structures are possible:
