Study information

Structural Design - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLEStructural Design CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECMM150 MODULE CONVENERDr Khurram Wadee (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 0
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

A good knowledge of the philosophies and techniques of structural design and analysis are essential elements of the training of civil engineers. In this module you will learn about these philosophies, methodologies and techniques, and their application to the design of steel, reinforced concrete, and pre-stressed concrete structures. You will learn about factors such as elasticity, cracking, tensile strength, shear and flexure, through observations, laboratory experiments and analysis. You will complete a design project in steel, a laboratory session with reinforced concrete and will get the chance to carry out calculations, sketches and exercise critical judgements. 

Furthermore, you will get the opportunity to hone your skills in methods of structural analyses, technical report writing and presentation. In addition, the module emphasises the role of the Codes of Practice (e.g. Eurocodes), the application of engineering judgement, and the execution of appropriate structural analyses in the context of design problems. 

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to give you a grounding in methods of analysis for both linear elastic and plastic modes of behaviour, and to help you gain an understanding of how engineers apply these methods to the design of real structures. It focuses particularly on steel, reinforced concrete, and prestressed concrete, materials that are often used in civil engineering, despite their complex properties.

You will learn how, for this reason, simplified but realistic engineering approaches are required for design purposes. In addition, the module aims to help you appreciate the limitations of these methods, to understand the underlying philosophies of current professional Codes of Practice, and to gain competence in using appropriate methods for the design of simple structures.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education  
Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes. 
The following Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are covered on this module (shown in brackets):
 
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: 
 
1. Describe in detail a range of structural theories and methods of analysis, and comprehend their relevance to real structures fabricated in steel and/or concrete and the roles of Codes of Practice;
 
2. Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed (M3)
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: 
3. appreciate design synthesis and the importance of engineering judgment in the context of design within the civil engineering discipline;
 
4. Design structures for complex requirements that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health and safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards. (M5).
 
5. Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems (M6).
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge: 
 
6. undertake independent studies;
 
7. Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems (M12).
 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Structural analysis:

  • Review basic assumptions for linear elastic analyses;
  • Employment of appropriate structural analysis tools such as moment distribution, influence lines, FEA;
  • Plastic methods for limit analyses;
  • Non­linear aspects of material behaviour and slenderness effects: various forms of buckling; ­Perry­Robertson curves;
  • Limit state design;
  • Serviceability and Ultimate Limit State concepts (SLS and ULS, respectively) and associated partial safety factors and their significance in terms of stochastic behaviour;
  • Structural materials;
  • An overview of steel production and fabrication;
  • An overview of concrete production, casting, and structural properties with consideration of shrinkage and creep.

Steel structures:

  • Design of structural elements, e.g., beams, columns, plates, stiffeners;
  • Buckling with consideration for ULS;
  • Introduction to connection design.

Reinforced concrete beams:

  • Cracked elastic behaviour for SLS;
  • Deflections & creep effects;
  • Modes of failure for ULS;
  • Under/over­reinforced modes of failure;
  • Plastic hinges & moment redistribution;
  • Shear modes;
  • Analytical models based on Bernoulli and/or equilibrium;

Prestressed concrete beams:

  • Forms and methods of construction, with consideration of losses of prestress;
  • Stress diagrams and design for SLS;
  • Magnel diagrams for zero tension and/or limited tension;
  • Tendon profiles and load balancing with post­tensioning;
  • Structural analyses.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 37 Guided Independent Study 113 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 4 Site Visits
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 11 Tutorials
Guided independent study 113 Reading and research

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
There will be opportunities to reflect on and review work undertaken towards assessed Coursework.     Discussion within Tutorials

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 30 Written Exams 70 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Examination 70 2 hours  All; (M3, M5, M6)  Mark returned
Design project 1 15 5 hours All M3, M5, M6  Written
Concrete laboratory report 2 15 5 hours  All M3, M5, M6  Written

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
All above Examination (100% - 2 hours) All; (M3, M5, M6 Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
 
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
 
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Mosley; WH, Hulse; R, Bungey; JH Reinforced concrete design to EuroCode2 7th Macmillan 2012 978-0230500716
Set Gilbert; RI, Mickleborough; NC Design of Prestressed Concrete Spon Press 1990 978-0419161608
Set Trahair, N.S, Bradford, M.A, Nethercot, D.A, Gardner, L The behaviour and design of steel structures to EC3 4th edition Taylor and Francis 2008 978-0-415-41866-9
Set The Steel Construction Institute (eds Davison, Buick, Owens, Graham, W) Steel Designers’ Manual The Steel Construction Institute (Blackwell Science Ltd) 2005 978-1-4051-3412-5
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Friday 22nd March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 11th September 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Steel design; reinforced concrete; prestressed concrete.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.