Anchor
A connection fixing one element to another or to the ground.
Anchors can transfer tension and shear forces. The substrate, edge distances, installation and loads form part of the assessment.
Home/Structural glossary
Structural glossary
Structures, in plain language.
From anchors to settlement. Find the meaning behind the terms in your calculations or drawings.
A
Anchorage
How an element is fixed against sliding or being pulled away.
Substrate capacity and installation matter. A fixing into cladding is not automatically structural anchorage.
B
Beam
An elongated structural element carrying loads to supports.
Material, span, loads and support determine a beam's behaviour. Its name does not specify the required dimensions.
Bearing
The location where an element is supported and transfers forces.
The contact area, supporting material and foundations may all matter. Bearing length is project-specific.
Bracing
Diagonal elements helping stabilise a structure.
Depending on the system, they resist tension or compression. Connections and anchorage form part of the structural concept.
Buckling
Sideways deformation of an element under compression.
Length, stiffness and restraint affect susceptibility. A slender column may fail before its material strength is reached.
Building drawing
A drawing showing a building's form, layout and dimensions.
An architectural drawing does not automatically explain how all forces are carried. Structural documents are needed for that.
C
Cantilever
A part extending beyond the last support.
A balcony or canopy may cantilever. The connection and supporting structure must resist the associated moment.
Column
A usually vertical element transferring loads downwards.
A new column introduces a concentrated load. The structure and foundations below must be suitable for it.
Compression
A force squeezing a material or element together.
Columns often carry compression. In addition to material strength, buckling may govern, depending on length and restraint.
Concrete
A hardened mixture used in structures primarily to resist compression.
Reinforcement or prestressing can help carry tension. Strength class, detailing and construction affect performance.
Concrete cover
The distance from the concrete surface to the reinforcement.
Cover relates to durability, bond and fire resistance. It cannot be selected independently of project-specific requirements.
Cone penetration test
An investigation measuring ground resistance at depth.
A cone penetration test provides information for geotechnical assessment. Interpretation requires expertise and context from the site and building proposal.
Connection
The detail through which elements transfer forces to each other.
Bolts, welds, screws or cast-in elements can form connections. The assumed behaviour must match actual construction.
Creep
An increase in deformation over time under sustained load.
Concrete and timber, for example, may deform further with time. This can affect deflection and finishes.
D
Deflection
Deformation of a beam, floor or other element under load.
As well as strength, acceptable deformation for use and finishes is checked. Illustrations often exaggerate deformation for clarity.
Diaphragm action
Resisting and distributing forces within the plane of a floor or roof.
Suitable elements and connections are required for diaphragm action. A large opening can affect its behaviour.
E
Environmental plan
Municipal rules governing the physical environment at a location in the Netherlands.
A building proposal must consider planning acceptability as well as technical safety. Check current location-specific rules through the Omgevingsloket.
Eurocode
A European series of standards for structural design of buildings and civil engineering works.
Applicable parts, national annexes and versions are determined for each appointment. The name is not a certification mark for an individual report.
F
Floor load
The total relevant loads on a floor.
Self-weight, finishes, use and local loads are distinguished. A change of use may require new assumptions.
Foundation beam
A foundation beam distributing loads or carrying them to supports.
Such a beam may span between piles. Ground contact must not be assumed to provide extra support without justification.
Foundation pile
An element transferring loads into deeper ground layers.
Behaviour depends on pile type, ground profile and installation method. Length follows from investigation and design, not a standard city profile.
Foundations
The part of a structure transferring building loads into the ground.
The ground and structure are considered together. Settlement and effects on neighbouring buildings may also govern.
G
Geotechnical engineering
The discipline studying ground behaviour in relation to structures.
Ground investigations support foundation and retaining structure design. A cone penetration test describes ground resistance at the tested location.
Girder
A generally horizontal member transferring loads to supports.
Position, span and bearings determine the calculation model. A girder may be steel, timber, concrete or a combination.
Grid line
An imaginary reference line used to position elements on a drawing.
Grid lines connect plans, sections and details. Check that every revision uses the same grid references.
H
HEA section
A type of hot-rolled steel H-section.
The range contains different sizes and properties. An illustration of the section is not selection advice for a particular opening.
HEB section
A steel H-section with different proportions from an HEA section.
A section designation is only part of the design. Stability, connections, bearings and steel grade must also be determined.
I
IPE section
A range of steel I-sections with relatively narrow flanges.
Suitability depends on calculated loads and support. Deformation and lateral stability may also govern.
J
Joist system
A series of beams supporting a floor or roof together.
Direction and spacing affect load distribution. Openings or heavy walls may require additional measures.
L
Lateral-torsional buckling
An instability in which a beam moves sideways and twists.
Its relevance depends on the section, loading and lateral restraint, among other factors. A bending-strength check alone may be insufficient.
Limit state
A boundary beyond which a structure no longer meets a particular requirement.
Checks distinguish, among other things, safety from serviceability. Both can influence the design.
Lintel
A load-bearing element above an opening in a wall.
A lintel transfers the relevant loads to the sides. Type, support and connection to the rest of the building follow from the design.
Load
A force or action acting on a structure.
Wind and snow matter alongside self-weight and use. The structural engineer establishes relevant combinations for the project.
Load combination
A defined combination of loads used for checking a structure.
Not every load acts at its maximum simultaneously. Combinations and factors follow the applicable design basis.
Load transfer
The route by which forces pass through a building into the ground.
An alteration high in a building can affect lower storeys. The complete load path is therefore investigated.
Load-bearing capacity
The ability to resist a particular load.
Capacity depends on the whole situation, including support and material condition. A general product rating is not automatically applicable to a building.
Load-bearing wall
A wall forming part of the load-bearing structure.
The wall may carry vertical loads and sometimes provide stability. Thickness or a tapping test alone cannot establish whether removal is possible.
M
Masonry
Construction made from bricks or blocks with joints.
Capacity depends on materials, bond, geometry and condition. New concentrated loads particularly require local assessment.
Masonry piers
The remaining wall sections beside an opening.
They may receive loads from a beam or contribute to stability. Narrow piers need attention to compression, connections and foundations.
Moment
A measure of the turning effect of a force.
A bending moment causes tension and compression in a beam's cross-section. Load and support positions affect its distribution.
Movement joint
A separation allowing movement between building parts.
Temperature, shrinkage and differential settlement may require a joint. Its position and construction belong in a considered design.
O
Opening
An opening in a floor, wall or roof.
An opening can interrupt load-bearing elements or reinforcement. Position, shape and size must suit the existing structure.
Overturning
A loss of equilibrium in which a structure tends to rotate about an edge.
Wind and eccentric loads can produce overturning moments. Anchorage, weight and foundations form part of the assessment.
P
Pad footing
A local foundation or thickening beneath a support.
A pad footing may spread a column load. Dimensions, reinforcement and ground requirements follow from structural and geotechnical design.
Permanent load
A load present almost continuously throughout the structure's use.
Self-weight and fixed finishes often belong to this category. Temporary storage or changing use does not automatically do so.
Piled foundation
A foundation transferring loads into the ground through piles.
Pile type and positions are coordinated with the structure and ground investigation. Existing foundations nearby may also need consideration.
Point load
A load applied at one position in a calculation model.
In reality, the load usually has a contact area. Local connection effects must be checked separately where necessary.
Portal frame
A framework of beams and columns resisting forces together.
Connection stiffness helps determine its behaviour. A simple beam-and-column arrangement is not automatically a stable portal frame.
Prestressing
Stress applied in advance to influence an element's behaviour.
Tendons or strands can be essential in prestressed concrete. Drilling or cutting without knowing their positions can have serious consequences.
Purlin
A load-bearing roof member, often running along the length of the roof.
A new dormer may interrupt a purlin. The remaining structure and new load path must then be assessed.
R
Rafter roof
A roof with relatively closely spaced load-bearing roof members.
Around an opening, loads may be redirected to neighbouring rafters. The solution depends on the existing roof and connections.
Reinforcement
Material strengthening concrete, often steel bars or mesh.
Position and anchorage are important for working together with the concrete. Reinforcement details belong in final project documents.
Reinforcing steel
Steel used as reinforcement in concrete.
The bars work together with the concrete. Position, anchorage, laps and bend shapes follow from the structural design.
Revision
An identifiable version of a drawing or report.
Dates and revision codes prevent parties from using outdated documents. A change must be assessed in context.
Roof diaphragm
A roof plane capable of distributing horizontal forces to stabilising elements.
This requires coordinated sheathing, connections and supporting elements. Not every roof automatically acts as a structural diaphragm.
Roof frame
A framework spanning, for example, a roof.
Roof frames may be timber, steel or other materials. Connections, supports and stability determine their behaviour.
Roof load
The loads that a roof must be able to transfer.
Roof build-up, snow, wind, installations and any terrace use matter. Adding weight requires understanding the existing structure.
S
Section
A drawing as though a building or element has been cut through.
A section shows heights, floor build-ups and connections hidden in a plan. References connect it to other sheets.
Self-weight
The weight of the structure itself and permanently present elements.
Floor finishes, external walls and permanent roof layers can also create permanent loads. A lighter structure may affect elements further along the load path.
Serviceability limit state
An assessment of whether a structure remains fit for use.
Examples include deflection, crack width and vibration. An element may be strong enough but still fail serviceability requirements.
Settlement
Movement of a foundation due to deformation of the ground.
Different settlement between building parts may cause damage. New and existing construction must therefore be considered together.
Shear force
An internal force acting across the lengthwise direction of an element.
Shear occurs, for example, in a loaded beam. Cross-section, material and connection details determine the required checks.
Span
The distance bridged by a load-bearing element between supports.
A longer span can substantially affect required stiffness and strength. The clear opening is not always the same as the design span.
Specialist structural engineer
An adviser who develops a defined part of the structural design.
For example, a supplier calculating prefabricated elements. Coordination with the main structure remains necessary to align connections and loads.
Stability
A structure's ability to maintain its position and shape adequately.
As well as vertical loads, a building must resist horizontal actions. Walls, diaphragms, bracing or frames can provide this.
Steel construction
A supporting structure made from steel elements.
Sections, connections, bearings and stability measures work together. Fabrication drawings must match the final design.
Stiffness
Resistance to deformation under load.
A stiffer element deforms less under the same conditions. Stiffness differs from the point at which an element fails.
Structural calculations
Justification of the structural performance of agreed elements.
The report contains assumptions, loads, models and checks. It applies only to the described situation and revision.
Structural drawing
A drawing recording the calculated load-bearing structure.
Positions, connections and relevant details are coordinated with the calculations. A concept drawing on a website is not a final project drawing.
Structural engineer
A specialist who designs and assesses load-bearing structures.
The structural engineer translates use, geometry and materials into a substantiated structural concept. The scope and available information must be clear.
T
Temporary propping
Temporarily supporting a structure during construction work.
The temporary condition can differ from, and be less favourable than, the final condition. A coordinated support plan and work sequence are therefore important.
Tension
A force trying to pull an element apart.
Connections and anchors may carry significant tension. Materials and detailing determine resistance.
Timber frame construction
A building method using a supporting frame of timber studs and rails.
Sheathing and connections can be important for stability. A lightweight addition may reduce weight, but still requires a complete design.
Torsion
A twisting action on an element.
Torsion may occur when loads act away from the main axis. Effects depend on section shape, support and connections.
Trimming beam
A beam carrying loads around an opening in a joist system.
Around a stair opening, trimming beams take loads from interrupted joists. Connections and continuous joists therefore experience changed loads.
U
Ultimate limit state
A check of structural safety against failure or instability.
The assessment uses suitable load combinations and material properties. Serviceability checks remain necessary as well.
V
Variable load
A load that can vary in magnitude or presence.
Imposed loads, wind and snow are examples. Future use therefore belongs in the design assumptions.
Vibration
A repeated back-and-forth movement of a structure.
Walking or machinery can cause floors to vibrate. Comfort and serviceability may require separate assessment.
W
Wind load
Forces caused by wind pressure and suction on a structure.
Building shape, height, surroundings and roof zones affect loads. Uplift may govern lightweight roof design.
No terms found. Try a different spelling.