Structural element
{{short description|Irreducible parts of a load-bearing structural system}}
{{see also|Structural engineering#Structural elements}}
In structural engineering, structural elements are used in structural analysis to split a complex structure into simple elements (each bearing a structural load). Within a structure, an element cannot be broken down (decomposed) into parts of different kinds (e.g., beam or column).{{cite book
| last = Waddelln Alexander Low Waddell
| title = Bridge Engineering - Volume 2
| url = https://archive.org/details/bridgeengineeri01waddgoog
| access-date = 2008-08-19
| year = 1916
| publisher = John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
| location = New York
| pages = [https://archive.org/details/bridgeengineeri01waddgoog/page/n906 1958]
}}
Structural building components are specialized structural building products designed, engineered and manufactured under controlled conditions for a specific application. They are incorporated into the overall building structural system by a building designer. Examples are wood or steel roof trusses, floor trusses, floor panels, I-joists, or engineered beams and headers. A structural building component manufacturer or truss manufacturer is an individual or company regularly engaged in the manufacturing of components.
Structural elements can be lines, surfaces or volumes.{{cite book| last1=Ryal| first1=M.J.| last2=Parke| first2=G.A.R.| last3=Harding| first3=J.E.| title=The Manual of Bridge Engineering| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8PGk81gtCywC| format=Google books (preview)| access-date=2009-04-12| year=2000| publisher=Thomas Telford| location=London| isbn=978-0-7277-2774-9| page=98}}
Line elements:
- Rod - axial loads
- Beam - axial and bending loads
- Pillar
- Post (structural)
- Struts or Compression members- compressive loads
- Ties, Tie rods, eyebars, guy-wires, suspension cables, or wire ropes - tension loads
Surface elements:
- membrane - in-plane loads only
- shell - in plane and bending moments
- Concrete slab
- deck
- shear panel - shear loads only
Volumes:
- Axial, shear and bending loads for all three dimensions