All buildings must have a strong, serviceable, stable and durable design-Part B
Why do you suppose we need structural design professionals to be involved in every aspect of building processes? I’ve thought about this often, since we’ve done a load of DIY projects that involve building, and we have seldom had professionals help us. But the point is that any building or structural element, however simple it may be, must be built in accordance with accepted principles of structural design. For instance we don’t just pile bricks on top of one another without sandwiching suitably mixed mortar between them – although I have visited an amazing home in Johannesburg where an architect totally defied this principle and built an incredible home on Linksfield ridge out of bricks sans mortar! But this is not the norm. Similarly, we don’t balance poles together like pick-up-sticks in the hope that they will stay in place.
The Role of the Regulations in Structural Design
As the national building regulations state:
“Any building and any structural design element or component” must be designed to “provide strength, stability, serviceability and durability”.
It is also vital that buildings are designed so that if the structural system is in any way overloaded they won’t collapse with disastrous consequences.
The regulations also state that these design requirements shall be “deemed to be satisfied” when buildings are designed in accordance with this section of SANS 10400-Part B, namely Structural Design.
When I last accessed the SABS online to see if these section of the regs was available, it wasn’t. However, there is no doubt that it will ultimately list all the other standards that designers should refer to when undertaking structural design. UPDATE: This is now available from the SABS at a cost of R369.36
What is Structural Design for Home Building?
Structural design for home building is the process of planning and creating a structural system for a home that can safely and efficiently support and resist loads imposed by the weight of the structure and its occupants, wind, snow, and other environmental factors.
This involves selecting the right materials, calculating loads, and designing a system that can resist the loads without exceeding the materials’ strength or buckling. more
Structural design for home building involves taking into account the building’s size, shape, and occupancy. It also includes evaluating potential environmental loads (such as wind, snow, and seismic activity) and determining the best materials and construction techniques to resist them. The design must also consider the building’s location, soil type, and climate.
Finally, the structural design must also consider the cost and availability of materials, ease of construction, and aesthetic considerations.
Structural Design must be in Accordance with National Standards
It is essential that all structural systems are designed and built by professionals. It is also essential that all materials used are suitable and SABS approved.
Some of the SANS that are used by structural designers are:
- SANS 10100-1: The structural use of concrete (specifically Part 1: Design)
- SANS 10162: The structural use of steel
- SANS 10163: The structural use of timber
- SANS 10164: The structural use of masonry
There are also various SANS that focus on the basis of structural design and actions for buildings and industrial structures. These relate to a variety of actions that are caused by self-weight and imposed loads, wind, seismic action, thermal elements, geotechnical elements, and even cranes and machinery.
Ease of Construction
The ease of construction for structural design is determined by a number of factors, such as the type and complexity of the structure, the availability of materials, and the skills and experience of the builders. The construction process should be planned and organized to ensure that all necessary components are included and that the structure is built efficiently and safely.
The use of prefabricated components, such as steel beams and precast concrete, can greatly reduce the time and labor required for construction. Additionally, the use of modern construction techniques, such as 3D modeling and prefabrication, can improve the efficiency and accuracy of the process.
Ultimately, the ease of construction for a structural design will depend on the project requirements and the capabilities of the builder.
Lastly, there are international standards that should also be followed, some of which are available from the SABS.
