STRUCTURE

Structure is defined as a system of interconnected members assembled in a stable configuration and used to support a load or combination of loads. The load can have vertical or lateral effects on the structural components. The loads acting on the structures can be divided into following categories:

D – Dead loads; L – Live loads; F – Fluid loads: W– Wind loads;

S – Snow loads; E – Earthquake loads; T - Thermal Loads

H – Earth pressure loads;

The structural members are connected together by providing different types of joints or supports. Most common types of supports are pin-jointed or hinged, roller support and fixed support. Every support provide some restraint to the structural members connected to it. A pin-jointed support will develop a force on the connected member
because it does not allow it to translate in any direction whereas the roller support can provide the reaction only in the direction other than movement of roller. A fixed support provide restraint to translation as well as rotation, therefore it has 3
reactions (2 forces and one moment).