Structural Design and Analysis of Building: CE Project, Karachi

This project report details the structural design and analysis of a ground plus four-story building using Etabs software. The project, conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, from February 2012 to February 2014, involved a structural engineering student and aimed to design and analyze the building's reinforced steel frame. The objectives included designing and analyzing the structure, ensuring project plan adherence, rechecking the design for sustainability and dynamic analysis, modeling the structure with Etabs and Safe, and comparing the new design with a previous one. The student's responsibilities encompassed developing AutoCAD drawings, modeling structural elements in Etabs, and utilizing Safe for foundation analysis. The report covers theoretical concepts, including framed structures and load considerations (live, dead, and seismic). Key activities involved comprehending building plans, applying engineering skills, and executing tasks such as load assignments and P-delta analysis. The project also addressed technical difficulties, like assigning static live loads, and proposed solutions. The student collaborated with a project supervisor and site manager, providing weekly progress reports. The project concludes with an overview of the design process and the student's contributions, highlighting the use of Etabs and Safe in creating a 3D model and structural design.

CE 1.1 Information of Project
Project Name: Structural Design and Analysis of Building using Computer aided
Software Etabs
Location of the project: Karachi, Pakistan
Project Duration: 2 years (February of 2012 to February of 2014)
Organization: Please fill
Role and Designation during the time: Structural Engineering student
CE 1.2 Background of the Project
CE 1.2.1 Basic Project’s Characteristics
Structural analysis of a building helps in easy determination of load effects over
physical structure as well as its components. The structures subject to such kind of analysis
involve bridges, buildings, soil strata and many more. The results of structural analysis are
being utilized for verification of structure’s fitness for use by physical tests. This type of
analysis is a major part of engineering structural designing. Within the project work, I have
structurally designed along with analysed building with the help of computer aided software,
Etabs. Since this is the preliminary stage of construction, redesigning of structural
components of building frame from base to roof top with Safe and Etabs. I have used this
software for finding out the economical and durability constraints of structure. Therefore, I
have successfully made the structural design of a building with Etabs software. The project
building consisted of Ground + 4 stories, made of reinforced steel frame structure. I had the
ability to analyse, design and even prepare comparative detailed report.

CE 1.2.2 Developed Objectives for the project work
During this project work of Structural Design and Analysis of Building with the help
of Computer aided Software Etabs, I had to execute the structural designing of the project
efficiently and without any kind of issue by utilizing relevant software. Therefore, for
execution of this project with subsequent efficiency, I had to develop these following
objectives of project:
 To design and analysis the structure of a building with 4 stories.
 To check if this project is getting completed as per our project plan and also if all the
requirements of client are getting fulfilled.
 To recheck the entire design of structure, which includes structural sustainability,
design and dynamic analysis.
 To model as well as analyze the structured with the help of Etabs and Safe for
foundation analysis and design for structural designing.
 To develop a structural design model with Etabs.
 To compare and contrast a detailed previous design with the new design of my
building.
CE 1.2.3 My working area in the project work
I was hired as a structural engineering student here. I had proper ground experiences
of such structural engineering projects and hence my project supervisor decided to give me
the responsibility of structural designing. When I joined this project, it was already an
ongoing work and hence I ensured that I am gaining maximum practical knowledge. I was
constantly guided by my project supervisor, thus it became quite easy for me to execute the
project effectively. I comprised of proficient knowledge of construction, soil mechanics and
hydraulics. Moreover, being a responsible team member, I even accepted the significant
responsibility of providing daily updates to project leader.

CE 1.2.4 Group Involved in Project
Figure 1: Team Members of the Project Work
CE 1.2.5 My main responsibilities and duties throughout this work
Regarding structural design as well as analysis, I had started from scratch. I was given
with few of the basic architectural drawings as well as soil reports initially for starting my
project. I had to start my work in a sequential manner. The first step undertaken by me was to
develop the drawings with the help of AutoCAD software, which comprised of frame
structures. The major structural members of this structure comprised of columns, beams,
slabs and shear walls. Since, I had distinctive knowledge about the software, it was quite
easier for me to execute the project without any complexity. I even had to use Etabs 3D
software for modelling structural elements and ensured that every frame element of building

is being designed as per architectural model. Moreover, I have utilized my basic knowledge
of Safe V8 for the purpose of planning, managing as well as controlling project charges,
resources and activities easily and efficiently.
CE 1.3 Distinct Activity in the Work
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending Basic Theory Used in the Project work
In Structural Design and Analysis of Building using Computer aided Software Etabs,
I have used the theoretical concepts of structural designing of building. In the beginning, I
had to make the entire plan for building to be constructed, so that I am able to propose a
proper structural design for my project. I had to note the parameters of the design for any type
of structural component like beams, slabs, columns and few others. I even understood major
and significant advantages of framed structures such as vibration resistant, thin panels as well
as construction speed. For elevation of the building, I have made the plan in following
method:
Figure 2: Elevation Plan of the Building
For making the 3D plan of this building, I had to use Etabs software and after proper
implementation, I was able to make the plan effectively.

Figure 3: 3D Plan of the Building to be constructed
Being a structural engineering student, I ensured that the 3D plan is made properly
and also by cross checking simulation results, I was able to transfer slab loads to columns. At
the site, I checked the drawings, over which construction is being completed. Since I was a
student, I have found difficulty in understanding the drawings in some of the situations and
thus I asked for help from the surveyor, who in return tried to help me out. I even learned to
read as well as understand the drawings and concept of grids. I learned that the architectural
height of the project was approximately 40 feet and for it the excavation to be done was 8 feet
below natural surface level. We had to complete the excavation work by pickers, drillers and
excavators. We have used columns with diameter of 39 inches in this project work. The
casted cylinders comprised of dimensions of 6” X 12” and was tempted with around 24” long
tempting rod.

CE 1.3.2 Major Engineering skills as well as knowledge applied in this work
For the purpose of implementing this project, I had to put on my significant skills or
information of basic civil engineering. I had to use my understanding of structural designing
as well as analysis. I even had applied my acquaintance of building technology and
construction engineering for rechecking the entire working progress. With my subsequent
knowledge in certain software such as Etabs and Safe, it was quite easy for me to provide an
efficient 3D model and software design of the building to be constructed.
CE 1.3.3 Execution and Tasks Performed in this work
I had to design the frame element of this building as per my architectural model and
after completion of frame structure, I developed load conditions by simply providing
columns, beams, shear walls and retaining walls. Every static load, comprised of live load,
walls and dead load were considered by me as per ACI 318 standard code. In Etabs software,
various load cases were being set by default as per building design standard codes by
inclusion of service load, ultimate load and seismic load. These helped me in performing P- ∆
analysis after taking five iterations for uniform reinforcement in beams. Each of these
iterations were being allowed for taking place regarding achievement of load transfer
mechanism at the maximum for beams and slabs. Finally, I have completed simulation of the
project work with the help of software.
For completing the architecture of the building, I used mixers of the plant with
capacity of 1m3 and for controlling the cement hydration heat, ice blocks were being used. I
have used 2 types of admixtures at the concrete batching plant, which are Pagel 808 and
Pagel 909. It was required for ensuring better pumping of concrete even at greater height and
for easiness of workers.

Figure 4: Workability of Concrete
The description of loads is provided below:
Live load (on floor): 2kN/m2
Live load (on roof): 1kN/m2.
Floor finishes are referred to as superimposed dead loads.
Floor Finishes (on floor): 1.5kN/m2
Floor Finishes (on roof): 2kN/m2.
For 9” wall (outer wall): 12.45kN/m2 (wall thickness* height of the floor* density of
brick = 0.23*3*18).
For 4.5” wall (inner wall): 6.21kN/m2 (wall thickness* height of the floor* density
of brick = 0.115*3*18).
CE 1.3.4 Identified issue with its solution
1.3.4.1 Issue in this work
The main technical difficulty that I had to encounter in this project work was during
assigning static live loads. Initially, I had not assigned live load for finishing of floor and
included dead loads to the work. This was the reason of my project outcomes becoming
inaccurate and inappropriate.

1.3.4.2 Solution to Issue
To solve the problem faced in the project work regarding live loads, I came up with
the idea for including floor finishing within live loads and hence, it became easier for me to
assign subsequent wind loads as well as seismic load for the structure. I eve maintained safety
and security in the project work so that workers are able to complete their work with utmost
security.
CE 1.3.5 Plan made for giving innovative or creative works
I had to make a proper and feasible plan for completing these project mechanisms
without much complexity. I had to attend various workshops for Etabs and Safe software for
understanding structural engineering and analysis during planning phase of the project. For
getting accurate and particular information for the project, I undertook major help from my
project leader as well as teachers.
CE 1.3.6 Work Collaboration
Work association was the major and one of the most important and significant factor
that was required to execute the project of building with G + 4 floors. I had to provide weekly
progress report to my project supervisor during project completion. The weekly report was
vital for identification of subsequent technical issues and difficulties, confronted in the work.
I also sustained a cooperative relation with my client as well as site manager so that a steady
balance is maintained for the project work.
CE 1.4 Overall Review of the Project
CE 1.4.1 Overview of the Project
I had to make overall structural designing and analysis of a four storied building after
subsequent consideration of some software such as Etabs and Safe. I was able to find stress

analysis within slab, shear force in all beams and area reinforcement for a column with Etabs
software. Furthermore, I also made entire design of frame structure for his building so that
simulation could be completed properly.
CE 1.4.2 My Major Contributions to the work
During the project work, I was selected as structural engineer and my foremost
contribution included proposing a compact designing for the 4 storied building. I also
resolved all the specific issues that I have confronted in the task and have used Etabs and
Safe software for making 3D model and structure design.