A structural system is the arrangement of members and connections that supports a structure and transfers forces to its supports.
Definition
A structural system is the combination of structural members and connections that carries forces through a building or other structure to its supports. Examples include frames, walls, trusses, and systems that combine these elements. Selection depends on factors such as geometry, materials, use, site conditions, construction sequence, and project requirements. For a civil engineering firm owner, system selection can affect the expertise, coordination, analysis, and design effort included in a project scope. A firm may describe the system broadly during planning and define its components more precisely as design progresses. A structural system is not a single member or connection, and it is not a construction sequence, though sequence can affect how the system behaves during construction. Naming a system does not establish its adequacy; project-specific evaluation and applicable design criteria govern that assessment.
How owners use it
- Clarify the structural system and design responsibilities in project scope and coordination records.
- Consider how system choice affects interfaces, schedule assumptions, and required specialty expertise.
- If a project has 2 structural frames and 3 retaining walls, it includes 2 + 3 = 5 major system elements to coordinate.
