This is a core module for level 5 Civil and Infrastructure Engineering students. The module expands on the methodologies and techniques given in EG4011 for structural design at a fundamental level in steel, concrete, masonry and timber, and develops your ability to produce competent and professional structural designs. The consideration of a variety of construction materials, including sustainability issues, will help you to develop your knowledge and understanding of material behaviour, an essential component of civil engineering projects. The module will include the design of civil engineering structures from a conceptual viewpoint laying the foundations for the level 6 module CE6013.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module will be delivered through a variety of seminars, workshops and tutorials, along with a laboratory practical programme and computer sessions. Students' learning will be facilitated and supported in an active learning environment that includes problem and enquiry based learning where students will be expected to solve realistic problems using computational techniques that utilise both manual calculations as well as structural software.
The sessions within this module aim to enable students to conduct design of relatively simple structural elements using steel, concrete, timber and masonry materials. The theoretical part will include basic principles of design, analysis of the limit state approach and discussion on concepts of simple and continuous design. Students will then progress to detailed design of structural elements, based mainly on Eurocodes with some references to previous British Standards. The individual coursework assignments will allow staff to monitor the progress of students during the module and feedforward towards the exam at the end of the year.
Laboratory sessions on construction materials enable students to develop practical skills when dealing with various construction materials, focusing mainly on properties of materials used for structural design. These laboratory sessions will also be used to support the theoretical material covered and to develop interpersonal skills by working in groups. Students will improve their skills in undertaking experimentation, handling instruments, reading instructions, taking measurements, interpreting and recording experimental data, presenting results in written form and problem solving. They will also provide opportunities for students to appreciate health and safety guidelines when working in a laboratory environment. These laboratory sessions will allow students to gain experience of data handling, analysis and communication skills. Follow-up sessions will be helpful for discussion of experimental results. Knowledge and appreciation of key experimental techniques, not covered in practical sessions, will be provided by directing students to British Standards online. All material will be made available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) along with further educational materials to guide their independent study.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Interactive sessions including problem and enquiry based workshops, plus computer sessions Laboratory practicals | 102 18 |
| Guided independent study | Independent and directed reading, completion of practicals, use of software tools. Online learning materials and study notes. | 180 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment comprises a design coursework (worth 10%), practical reports (worth 40%) and a three-hour end-of-the-year examination (50%). The design coursework is individual assessing the knowledge of the students in steel and reinforced concrete design. The practical reports will consist of laboratory protocols in the area of construction materials and will be presented as a combination of in-class assessments (workshops) and portfolio of laboratory reports. Formative feedback will be provided in the form of quick, regular and detailed feedback on reports, facilitating improvement and feedforward for the reports throughout the academic year. The examination will consist of 2 parts (A - structural analysis and B - structural design) and students will be required to answer at least one question from each part.
Students are encouraged throughout the module to attend the SEC Academic Success Centre (SASC) with their draft assignments for formative assessment on the academic content of their coursework.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) apply the Unit Load, Flexibility and Moment Distribution methods to analyse trusses, beams and simple non-sway frames, including the solution of algebraic equations. | Coursework, examination |
| 2) check the main code provisions for the design of simple beams and columns in steel and concrete for ULS and SLS. | Coursework, examination |
| 3) apply the main code checks related to timber beams and trusses and masonry walls and piers subjected to vertical loading. | Examination, formative assessment |
| 4) specify and ensure the compliance of civil engineering materials for appropriate structural applications, assessing their sustainability issues. | Practical reports |
| 5) identify the various compliance of BS/EN provisions for materials testing, manufacturing and classification. | Practical reports |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Examination | Written exam | 50% |
| Portfolio for CW1 | Coursework 1: Design Coursework in Steel and Concrete | 10% |
| Portfolio for CW2 | Coursework 2: Practical in-class and lab reports in materials | 40% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Arya C (2009), Design of Structural Elements, 3rd Edition, E & FN Spon
Mosley, W.H, Bungey, J.H., and Hulse, R. (2007). Reinforced Concrete Design to EC2. Palgrave Macmillan
Ghali & Neville (2009), Structural Analysis, Chapman & Hall
Domone, P. and Illston, J. (2010) Construction Materials: Their Nature and Behaviour, 4th Edition, Spon Press
THG Megson (2005), Structural and Stress Analysis, Arnold
McKenzie, W.M.C (2008). Design of Structural Steelwork to BS5950 and C-EC3, 2nd Edition, Palgrave Macmillan
McKenzie W.M.C. and Zhang Binsheng (2007) Design of Structural Timber to EC5. 2nd Edition, Palgrave Macmillan
Seward, D. (2009) Understanding Structures, 4th Edition. Palgrave Macmillan
Neville, A. M. (1995) Properties of Concrete, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, Pearson Education
Soutsos, M (2010) Concrete Durability, Thomas Telford