The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Knowledge Necessary for the Structural Divisions of the Architect Registration

Exam- ARE

FORMULAE AND DIAGRAMS

CONCEPT

Trigonometry/Math

Memory Trick: SOHCAHTOA (Indian Tribe)

Rise
c (Rise)
Sin C = OPP or
or
B
Slope
a
HYP
Run
b (Run)
Cos C = ADJ or
or
Slope
a
HYP
Tan C =

COMMENTS
used when triangle has a 90 angle.
SIN
RISE
n COS
RUN
n TAN
SLOPE
n SIN and COS of any angle are between (+/-) 1
n 0 < angle < 45
COS > SIN
n 45 < angle < 90
SIN > COS
n
n

90 triangle
a

Run
OPP
or
or c (Slope)
Rise
ADJ
b

Law of Sines
a = b = c
Sin A
Sin B Sin C

Law of Cosine

Non- 90 Triangle

c2 = a2 + b2 - 2ab (Cos C)

Properties of a Force:

PX

1000# = 1k

Steeper angles (>45) have

larger vertical components

Py

Py

Py

P
PX

Forces

PX

Px
Py

Py

PX

Variations in
Sense:

PX

Transmissibility:
Py
y

Py
y

PX
x

Force Addition:

Force
1
2

3
R

Horizontal

=
P

Graphic Method for Force Addition:

n For finding the Resultant of several forces.

Algebraic Method:
n For finding the resultant of several forces
2

P
PX
x

June 2004

Py

The Resultant of several forces is a single force that

has
the same effect on a body as all the other forces
combined.
n The Resultant is also a force and is thus defined by
the
four
propertiesislisted
above. as a force that has the
n The
Equilibrant
also defined
same P.O.A., Magnitude and L.O.A. as the
Resultant
but has an opposite sense (Arrow)
n Algebraic Method for finding the Resultant of several
forces is used when force magnitudes and lines of
action for each force are known
n

PX

Vertical

3
2

A Force is defined by four properties:

1. Point of Application (P.O.A.)
2. Magnitude ( #,kips )
3. Sense (Arrowhead, Push or Pull, C or T)
4. Line of Action (L.O.A.) , (Angle with horizontal)

Components of a Force:
P

Law of Cosines is used when you are given more sides

Shallower angles (<45)

have larger horizontal
components

than angles

Py

right angles.
Law of Sines is used when you are given more angles
than sides.

Py

b2 = a2 + c2 - 2ac (Cos B)

Px

Law of Sines and Cosines are used when triangle has no

a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc (Cos A)

Variations in L.O.A.

Algebraic Method of Force Addition

1. Resolve each force into vertical and horizontal
components
2. The algebraic (+/-) sum of all horizontal components
gives the horizontal component of the Resultant.
3. The algebraic (+/-) sum of all vertical components
gives the vertical component of the Resultant
Graphic Method is used when a system is in equilibrium
and we need to calculate one or more unknown forces
that contribute to equlibrium

Graphic Method for Force Addition

1. Arrange all forces Head to Tail then add (independent
of order)
2. Resultant begins with its Tail at the Tail of the 1st
+/+/3
Force
n Resultant begins at 1s Tail
+/- R X = X +/- R y = Y
n Tail of 2 on Head of 1
and Head at the Head of the last
and
ends
at
last
Head
n Tails at same P.O.A.nTail of 3 on Head of 2
3. Resultant can be determined through calculation
(All angles are typically known)
+/-

+/-

+/-

+/-

2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

PAGE : 1 OF 4

all forces Registration

Head to Tail thenExamadd (independent
The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Knowledge Necessary for the Structural Divisions 1.
ofArrange
the Architect
ARE

FORMULAE AND DIAGRAMS

CONCEPT

Moment
Moment = Force X

Distance

CCW +

Force P creates a
Positive Moment
about point A

CW

B
Force P creates a
Negative Moment
about point B

Couple
P

Couple= P x d
(clockwise, CW)

Moment of a
d

Moments and Couples

( CCW )
P

Units

PSI

Fu
Fy

Modulus of
Elasticity=
Stress / Strain

PSI

L: deformation, changes in Length (in)

caused by Axial Load (P)
L= PL0 P : Axial Load (#,k)
L0 : Original, undeformed Length (in. not ft.)
AE A : Cross Sectional Area (in2)
E : Modulus of Elasticity (PSI, KSI)

n
n
n
n

Geometry

A = bd
3
Ixx = bd

12

Ixx

bd
Sxx =
C = 6

Support Conditions

Roller: 1 Reaction ( V )

June 2004

EA36,A-50= 29,000 KSI

kP
k L0
kA
kE

Area (In2)

Shear

Moment
of Inertia (In4)

Deflection

Section
Modulus (In3)

Bending

k L
k L
m L
m L
b = width
d = depth
c = location of

2
V

and in length
4. FAILURE: Material is gone!
5. YIELD POINT/ YIELD STRENGTH: material is no longer elastic,

7. RUPTURE: Kiss it Good-Bye

8. E: Modulus of Elasticity.Measures material's resistance to deformation

L = (T) L0
L: Deformation, change in length (in),
caused by change in temperature
(F)
T: Change in temperature
: Coefficient of thermal
expansion/contraction
Y
Radius of = r = I
Gyration
A
x

x
Y

CG ; Center of
Gravity

Simply Supported:(Determinate)

2
V

deformation is permanent
6. ULTIMATE STRENGTH: material is about to fail

Indeterminate Loading:
2
3

2
1

2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

n
n

Shortening or Elongation of members along their axis

Change (Expansion & Contraction) of shape
due to Temperature
Examples include Columns, Trusses, Cables, Cross
Bracing

If a Member is inadequate in Shear, increasing the Area

(either Width (b) or Depth (d)) is effective.
n If a Member is inadequate in Deflection, increasing the
Moment of Inertia (Width (b) is OK; but Depth (d) is
cubed and) is much more effective in reducing Deflection.
n If a Member is inadequate in Bending, increasing the
section modulus (width (b) is OK; but Depth (d) is
squared and) is much more effective in reducing Bending.
n

Statically Determinate (Simply Supported) loading = three

unknown reactions, and can be solved using the
equation of Static equilibrium.
n Statically Indeterminate loading > 3 unknown Reactions
Call your engineer.
n Pin/Hinged connections iclude most wood to wood, bolted
steel, and precast concrete connections.
n fixed connections include most welded steel / steel
connections and cast-in-place concrete.
n

H
V

2. PLASTIC RANGE: increase in strain, no increase in Load / Stress

3. STRAIN HARDENING: material deforming in section (necking),

Modulus of
Elasticity: E
(slope)
Unit Strain ( L/ L0 )

Moment

Fixed / Moment: 3 Reactions (V , H , M)

Continuous: Multiple Reactions
3

1. ELASTIC RANGE: straight line relationship, slope = E

Neutral Axis

Pin / Hinge: 2 Reactions ( V , H )

in / in

Unit Strain

Lo

E:

Axial Loads

Direct Stress

Stress (F=P/A)

Stress / Strain

F:

c
d/
2

P
A

Formulas

of order)
2. Resultant begins with its Tail at the Tail of the 1st
Force
and Head at the Head
of the last
COMMENTS
3. Resultant can be determined through calculation
(All angles are typically known)
n A & B are called Centers of Moment, or Centers of
Rotation
n The perpendicular distance (d) is called the Moment Arm,
or Lever
n Summing Moments (M = 0) to establish equilibrium
n To find Beam / Truss reactions
n To maintain equilbrium of members
n Overturning Moments due to Wind Loads or Hydrostatic
Pressure
n Unlike a Moment, a Couple is NOT about a certain point,
but rather it is about ANY and ALL points.
n A Couple depends on Force (P), and perpendicular distance (d)
between two Forces that make up the couple.
n Couple between top Chord (C) and bottom
chord (T) in a simply supported truss
n Couple between compression in concrete ( top ) and
tension in rebar ( bottom ) of reinforced beam

PAGE : 2 OF 4

The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Knowledge Necessary for the Structural Divisions of the Architect Registration Exam- ARE

FORMULAE AND DIAGRAMS

CONCEPT

Example 1:
n
L< R
n
L = 5' x 12k = 4k
n

COMMENTS

12k
L

10'

15'
R = 10' x12k = 8k

5'

P
R

Load/
FBD

15'

Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams

+
V=0
12k

18k

6'

6'

12k

12k

6'

L = 21k

L = 23k

R = 25k

L = 21k + 2k
L = 23 k

R = 21k + 4k
R = 25 k

6'
18'

6'
R = 21k

6k

+
6'

18'

12'

always have positive Moments

VMAX always occurs at support
n M
occurs where V = 0
MAX

6'
18'

L = 2k

R = 4k

M=0

L = 6'/18' x 6k = 2k
R = 12'/18' x 6k = 4k

Trusses

June 2004

Uniform load coefficient, w, = slope in Shear Diagram

Point of Inflection (P.O.I.) is a point on the
Moment Diagram where M = 0
n Point of Inflection only happens when a beam has an
overhang
n If Loading Diagram (FBD) is symmetrical, then the Shear
Diagram and the Moment Diagram are also symmetrical.
n Maximum Shear dictates how much Beam area is needed
n Maximum Moment dictates how much Bema Depth is needed
n If a hole must be punched out of a Beam to allow for passage
of pipe or similar reduction, this must happen at a location of
low Shear and low Bending Moment
n

C
T

Method of
Sections:

A Truss is inherently stable due to triangulation

Truss is stable in its own plane but needs bridging or
cross-bracing perpendicular to its own plane
n All joints in an honest Truss are Pinned Joints
n Rigid Joints in a Truss will result in less Deflection
than
Pinned Joints (Advantage)
n Rigid Joints in a Truss will result in larger size
members
than Pinned Joint Trusses since members will have
to
resist V and M in addition to C or T (Disadvantage)
n Members carrying Tension can be much smaller than
members carrying Compresion
n Method of Joints is used to analyze Force / Stress in
n m + 3 = 2 j ; where m = Number of Members
every
j = Number of Joints
member of a Truss
n Method of Joints is also used to analyze Force / Stress in
a
member that is close to a support (not in middle of
truss)
n Method of Sections is used to analyze only a few (3 max)
members of a truss
n After cutting a truss in 2 segments, each segment is
in Equilibrium
F X = 0 ; F Y = 0 ; M ANY = 0
n Concentrated Loads in a Truss must be applied at panel
points; otherwise we have combined stresses
( T or C + V and M )
n Joints that have three or less members framing into them,
PAGE : 3 OF 4
may potentially have Zero Members
n

Method of
Joints:
C

C C
T

Top and Bottom Chord Stress

Moment is minimum

Possible
Zero Members
C

Sum of Areas in Shear Diagram = Moment

Magnitude of drop = Concentrated Load
n Between concentrated loads, Moment Diagram Slopes
n Uniform loads create gradual drop in Shear ( straight line )
n Uniform loads create curve (downward cup) in Moment
Diagram
n Overhangs and cantilevers will always have a negative
Moment in Moment Diagram. Simply supported beams
n

Example 2:

15'

w = 1k/ft.
W = 18k

M = Moment
V =Shear
n Equilibruim = F = 0; F = 0; M
=0
x
y
Any
n

w,W

Web Stresses

2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

members of a truss

The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Knowledge Necessary for the Structural Divisions
of the Architect Registration Exam- ARE
n After cutting a truss in 2 segments, each segment is
in Equilibrium
F X = 0 ; F Y = 0 ; M ANY = 0
Concentrated Loads in a Truss must be applied at panel
points; otherwise we have
combined stresses
COMMENTS
( T or C + V and M )
n Joints that have three or less members framing into them,
may potentially have Zero Members
n

CONCEPT

June 2004

FORMULAE AND DIAGRAMS

2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

PAGE : 4 OF 4

The Non-User's Pocket Guide to the Transient Information Needed to Successfully Pass the General Structures Division of the Architect Registration Exam - ARE
FORMULAE AND DIAGRAMS

LOAD:

Fv , F b , E

DESIGN FOR
SHEAR:

GEOMETRY:

L, w, W, P, FBD

FC , FT , F P

VMAX, M MAX

f v < F v ; Fv V MAX
A MIN

MMAX
f b < F b ; F b =S

DESIGN FOR
BENDING:

MIN

W = wL
L

W/2

L/2

P/2

L/2

W/2
P/2

VMAX = P/2

WL/8
PL/4

MMAX = WL / 8
= wL2/ 8

3
4
MAX = 5 WL = 5 wL
384 EI
384 EI

MMAX = PL/4
MAX = 1
48

L/3

L/3

L/3

L/4

PL3
EI
P

L/4

L/4

L/4

3P/2

P
VMAX = P

VMAX = 3P/2
PL/2

PL/3
MMAX = PL/3
MAX =

23

PL3

WOOD BEAMS:

Shear:

A=bxd

Bending: F = M
b
MAX
SMIN
Fb= 24 KSI

Columns

(full lateral support)

Sxx tables

Fb< 24 KSI
(partial lateral support)
LUNB , M-Charts

STEEL COLUMNS:
Slenderness:
kLUNB.

slenderness
ratio

June 2004

wood 11
steel

b, d, f 'c
y

f y, , A v, spacing
Bending Concrete: f'c

For all beams; actual = CONST.(W or P)(Lx12"/ft.)3

EI
n Allowable Deflecion is specified by model codes as
a fraction of the span allow = L / 240, L / 360,...
n

Concrete: f 'c
Stirrups: f

Slenderness:

Fc

Shear:

bf

WOOD COLUMNS:
LUNB./ dLeast

MAX

- 0.1WL

CONCRETE BEAMS:

F V = VMAX

AW

SMIN

kwood= 0.671 E

. - . . -.

AWEB

Bending: F = M
b
MAX

Deflection
Bending

P.O.I.

STEEL BEAMS:

FV = 3 VMAX
2 A MIN

Shear

Beam design must satisfy Shear, Bending Moment and

Deflection requirements
n The Allowable Stress (F) of a species of wood or a Grade
3
of steel depends on the material itself and is tabulated
DEFLECTION: actual = CONST.x (W or P) (Lx12"/ft.)
in Manuals and Building Codes
actual < allow
EI
n The Actual Stress ( f ) is an outcome of the application of
w
w
w
a load ( W , P ) on a member
n When a Load is applied perpendicular to the axis of a
W = wL
member ( Normal Loading), Shear and Bending
W/2
W/2
W/2
W/2
stresses develop
n The Strain associated with Bending is called Deflection
W/2
and the deflected shape of a Beam is the inverse
VMAX = W/2
(upside/down) of the Moment Diagram
n When a load is applied along the axis of a member,
Axial Compression and Tension Stresses develop
n The strain associated with Tension is Elongation and the
WL/8
strain associated with Compression is Shortening
MMAX = WL/8
n For the same Magnitude and span, a Uniform Load will
cause less Deflection than a Concentrated Load
= wL2/8
for the same material and geometry
n The the same Load and Span, a Cantilever will deflect
w
more than a simply supported beam
W=wL
n For the same Load, Material and Geometry a slight
L
L
L
increase in Span will create a huge increase in
Deflection
0.4W
1.1W
1.1W
0.4W
n For the same Load and Span, an increase in the
0.6W
0.5W
Modulus of Elasticity, E, ( a stronger material), will result
0.4W
in less Deflection
VMAX = 0.6 W
n For the same Load and Span, an increase in the
Moment of Inertia, I , (a deeper member) will result in
0.4W
less deflection
0.6W
0.5W
n The Points of Inflection on the Moment Diagram of the
0.08WL
0.08WL
Continuous beam (Left) indicate the locations of curve
MMAX (+) = 0.08 W L
0.025WL
reversal, and are the locations where reinforcing steel
+
+
+
M
(-) = - 0.1 W L would be flipped from bottom to top of the beam.
- 0.1WL

Beams

PL3

MAX =
348 EI

648 EI

Shear:

MMAX = PL/2
19

General Beam Design

VMAX = W/2

A = bd

I = bd3/ 12
S = (bd2) /6

MATERIAL:

COMMENTS

CONCEPT

AV
AS

b, d, f 'c
Rebars: f y
f y, (, # rebars), A s
FC = P/A
Long and thin ( slender ) columns tend to
be
governed by buckling
n Short and fat ( chunky ) columns tend to be
governed by crushing
n Short and fat ( chunky ) columns tend to be
go
n
n

k=0.5

k=1

50 L/d
200 KL/r
2004 David J. Thaddeus, AIA

k=2

PAGE : 4 OF 4