1. STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
by Jaime R. Rico

2. BEAM A structural member*, usually horizontal, which supports bending.
A smaller ‘beam’ between two beams is called joist.

3. PILLAR
A structural member, usually vertical, which supports compression.
BEAM
PILLAR

4. FOOTING A wider base under the pillar which spreads the load.
It reduces the pressure over the soil.
MAT

5. TIE Cable* used to hang beams or to mantain a pillar vertically.
It supports tension.
Tie
It can also be a piece of wood, steel and so on.

6. Exercise #1
Say the name of each structural elements

7. Exercise #2
Say the name of the following structural elements

8. ARCH It’s shaped like an inverted U.
It transmits vertical loads to the foundation

9. KEYSTONE

11. ARCH, VAULT & DOME

14. TIE and STRUT A tie is any structural member supporting tension.
A strut is any member supporting compression.

15. FLECHA DE UNA VIGA

16. RESISTANCE
We can strengthen a structure using stronger materials or changing its shape

17. Reinforced concrete pillar
Steel bars
SHEATING
Reinforced concrete pillar

18. Reinforced concrete pillar
Formwork
Reinforced concrete pillar
Slab
Sheating
Soil
Concrete
Excavation
Concrete foundation

19. TOP SLAB or Hollow concrete block
BOVEDILLA