Technical Guidance Notes (Level 1)

An introduction to the series from the Institution's former Director: Engineering and Technical Services, Sarah Fray.

An introduction to the core design concepts found within current UK codes of practice.

Understand how dead loads, defined as Permanent Actions within Eurocode 1, can be favourable and unfavourable in a construction.

Imposed loads (quasi-permanent variable actions) are defined as loads that are applied to the structure.

There are several variations and conditions the designer must be aware of when determining wind loads on structures. This note draws on the UK National Annex in reference to wind speeds that are unique to the UK.

There are several variations and conditions the designer must be aware of when determining snow loads onto structures. This note draws on the UK National Annex as it makes reference to projected snow falls that are typical in the UK.

Notional loading (equivalent horizontal forces) are loads resulting from inaccuracies and imperfections introduced into the structure during its construction. This note explains how notional lateral loads are incorporated into the design process.

This note concerns lateral loads that are applied to barriers, and wheel axle loads from vehicles. 

This note concerns the assessment of loads that apply to retaining structures, typically generated from soil. These forces primarily come into play during the design of retaining wall structures, but they can also be found in water-retaining structures and storage vessels.

It is essential for structural engineers to be able to express their ideas clearly through their designs. This note describes two common techniques used to draw in three dimensions.

This note explains the various methods adopted to ensure lateral stability and robustness in structures.

This note is an introduction to the assessment of floor vibrations – a frequently overlooked aspect of the design process. Floor vibrations can lead to expensive remedial works, as occupants complain of discomfort due to excessive movement.

In many cases, reinforced concrete drawings are more diagrammatic than their general arrangement counterparts and carry with them their own unique set of rules and nomenclature. This note does not cover the rules governing detailing of reinforced concrete. 

This note is split into two sections; the first contains information a designer of steel elements provides, while the second contains information a fabricator creates in order to manufacture and construct the steel structure. 

This note is a good practice guide for analysing and designing structures. It explains how structures are given form, modelled, analysed and designed. Mention is made of the need to rationalise the analysis process, but not at the expense of an economic design.

Moment distribution is a method by which statically indeterminate structures are analysed elastically. It is based on the relative stiffness of elements, and shifts bending moments from one section of the structure to another until they become balanced. Once this balance has been achieved, forces and bending moments are modelled.

This note explains how steel elements are restrained against buckling and what the structural engineer should consider when analysing steel structures with respect to buckling resistance.

This note shows how to size elements, prior to detailed design. This process allows the engineer to gain an appreciation of structural form.

When designing foundations (from a simple pad footing to a pile cap) there is a need to determine the soil's bearing capacity. This note explains the principles of how this is determined, and how it impacts on foundation design.

This note explains the principles behind the design of timber floor joists and provides a worked example. In accordance with BS EN 1995-1-1 Eurocode 5: Design of Timber Structures – Part 1-1: General – Common rules and rules for buildings.

The chosen form of any substructure is entirely dependent on what the site investigations reveal. It is typically up to the structural engineer, with the aid of geotechnical engineers and specialists, to determine the extent of this investigation and interpret its results.

The twisting of elements within structures due to eccentric loading is best avoided. This note shows structural engineers how to avoid problems that can lead to significant remedial works and/or failures.

This note describes the concept of biaxial bending in columns of any material, as well as the effect direct bending has on column design. 

This note describes the different types of pile, the design concepts employed when determining their size and depth, how they are constructed and the various tests that can be carried out to assess a pile's integrity.

This note describes how prestressed precast concrete planks are constructed, specified and installed.

This note discusses the concept of fatigue and how its effects can be countered.

An understanding of what causes concrete to crack is important when inspecting new works or existing structures.

The three forms of masonry are brick, concrete block and stone. This note introduces the first two as the most common forms of cladding – at least for concrete and steel-framed structures in the UK.

This note pays particular attention to partial factors with reference to BS EN 1990: Eurocode – Basis of structural design, to illustrate how extreme events are approached, and explains how the code interprets the application of loads (actions) for such events.

The technology behind post fix anchors is increasingly complex. This note provides some clarity around the multitude of options that can be presented to a designer required to specify anchors.

An introduction to ground bearing floor slabs, touching on the slabs' reinforcement by considering both historical use of mesh as well as plastic and steel fibre reinforcement methods.

This note describes the basic knowledge required to read drawings produced by structural engineers.

When developing a scheme, the choice of floor slab construction is critical to the columns, foundations, walls and overall stability. As such, the floor slab's form should be selected with care and consideration.

Guidance on the various forms of retaining walls currently in use. This note is primarily concerned with structures that retain soil.

This note explains the basic principles of below ground drainage for both surface and foul water. It describes the different types of drainage pipe available, their installation and interface with structure, and their testing and maintenance.

This note is an introduction to glass as a structural material. It describes glass in terms of its properties, how it reacts when subjected to various forces, and the design methods being explored by structural engineers.