06-12-2011, 04:20 PM
Normally any building design starts by some architectural definition. A proficient architect is able to specify both tentative dimensions and structural systems convenient to structural safety and good use, even if he himself is not to produce later the structural design.
Then any structural designer has something with what to start; some specific kind of foundation, structural system, structural devices will be pre-defined; and some non-structural items will be stated as the components to cause dead loads; some uses will be specified for the parts of the building.
Fron such data and resourcing to code load data, say ASCE 7, you define the loads for your building. Of course such loadings are derived from previous experience on the particular items referred in the articles and are thought to lead to economically bearable, consistently safe and socially accepted standards of building construction.
Then any structural designer has something with what to start; some specific kind of foundation, structural system, structural devices will be pre-defined; and some non-structural items will be stated as the components to cause dead loads; some uses will be specified for the parts of the building.
Fron such data and resourcing to code load data, say ASCE 7, you define the loads for your building. Of course such loadings are derived from previous experience on the particular items referred in the articles and are thought to lead to economically bearable, consistently safe and socially accepted standards of building construction.
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