Types of structure
[edit] What is a structure?
Within the context of the built environment, the term ‘structure’ refers to anything that is constructed or built from interrelated parts with a fixed location on the ground. This includes buildings, but can refer to any body that is designed to bear loads, even if it is not intended to be occupied by people (engineers sometimes refer to these as 'non-building' structures – such as bridges, tunnels, and so on).
[edit] What are the main classification types for structures?
Structures can be classified in a number of ways:
- Type.
- Structural system.
- Application.
- Form.
- Material.
- Element.
- Overall shape.
[edit] How are structures defined by type?
Types of structural systems include:
[edit] How are structures defined by system?
Types of structural system include:
[edit] How are structures defined by application?
Applications of structures include:
- Building.
- Aqueducts and viaducts.
- Bridges.
- Canals.
- Cooling towers and chimneys.
- Dams.
- Railways.
- Roads.
- Retaining walls.
- Tunnels.
- Coastal defences.
[edit] How are structures defined by form?
- One-dimensional: Ropes, cables, struts, columns, beams, arches.
- Two-dimensional: Membranes, plates, slabs, shells, vaults, domes, synclastic, anticlastic.
- Three-dimensional: Solid masses.
- Composite. A combination of the above.
[edit] How are structures defined by material?
Structural materials include:
- Timber and similar materials such as bamboo, plywood, and engineered timber.
- Concrete.
- Metal: Steel, aluminium and so on.
- Masonry: Brick, block, stone and so on.
- Glass.
- Adobe, earth, clay, cob and so on.
- Fabric, such as fabric membranes.
- Composite, such as structural insulated panels.
[edit] How are structures defined by element?
Structural elements include:
- Substructure.
- Superstructure.
- Foundation.
- Roof.
- Shell and core.
- Structural frame.
- Floor.
- Wall: loadbearing walls, compartment walls, external walls, retaining walls.
See Elements of structure in buildings for more information.
[edit] How are structures defined by overall shape.
Overall shapes of structures include:
- Low-rise.
- Multi-storey.
- Mid-rise.
- High rise.
- Groundscraper.
- Skyscraper.
- Supertall.
- Megatall.
- Super-slender
- Megastructure.
- Anticlastic.
- Synclastic.
- Hyperbolic paraboloid.
- Conoid.
- Tower.
- Dome.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Civil engineer.
- Deflection.
- Elements of structure in buildings
- Engineer.
- Platform construction.
- Span.
- Structure.
- Structural engineer.
- Structural principles.
- Substructure.
- Superstructure.
- The development of structural membranes.
- Types of beam.
- Types of building.
- Types of column.
- Types of construction.
- Types of wall.
- Types of structural load.
Featured articles and news
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.