MABY4400 Structural Analysis and Design Course description

The course gives the students the necessary fundamental understanding of the principles used in the design of large complex structures made of reinforced concrete and steel. An important goal of the course is to give the students knowledge and experience of how to use the finite element method (FEM) correctly in design calculations. Furthermore, the students will learn how to apply the analysis results to the technical rules for concrete and steel structures (Eurocodes EC1, 2, 3 and 8). In particular, the course will give the students a deeper understanding of the non-linear behaviour of reinforced concrete, where the students will gain both theoretical and practical insight.

Other important topics addressed are dynamic wind and earthquake loads, and the background for modern standards and how uncertainties in load and material calculations are taken into account in the design process.

Two internal examiners.

External examiners are used regularly.

The goal of the course is to give students further specialisation in the topic, and a more comprehensive understanding of what the design of complex buildings involves. Through seminars with contribution from invited researchers and experts from the building and construction industry, students will be presented wide a range of topical issues relating to building physics and the design of buildings such as zero-emission buildings (ZEB), restoration projects, solid wood buildings, glass facades, new building materials and systems etc. A project assignment is also included to give the students both theoretical knowledge and experience of applying this knowledge to real world, complex issues. The assignment shall be based on a real building and construction project or be part of a more extensive research and development project, and the project report shall take a scholarly, reflective approach to the problem at hand and include a discussion of alternative solutions.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student:

· has advanced knowledge about the simulation, analysis and design of concrete and steel structures

· has in-depth knowledge of the non-linear behaviour of reinforced concrete

· is capable of describing the difference between linear and non-linear structural analysis

· is capable of explaining the theoretical basis for linear and non-linear geometry and material behaviour

· is capable of explaining the theoretical basis for dynamic wind and earthquake loads

· understands the design philosophy behind modern codes in terms of structural capacity, structural demand and how to quantify uncertainties in load and material descriptions.

Skills:

The student is capable of:

· modelling and simulating structures exposed to static and dynamic loads

· selecting appropriate analysis models and carrying out structural analyses for determining internal forces and moments, stress, strain and displacement with a satisfactory degree of accuracy

· performing dynamic analyses of structures exposed to wind and earthquake loading

· choosing appropriate material models and material properties to solve the problem in question

· performing a non-linear element analysis of concrete structures and evaluating the results

· applying the essential code provisions for the design of concrete and steel structures.

General competence:

The student is capable of:

· using FEM software in practical structural analyses

· assessing approaches to and limitations in linear and non-linear analyses

· using scholarly reports and articles to gain an overview of the latest developments in research in the field of non-linear analysis of concrete structures.

The teaching consists of lectures, exercises (written assignments or computer-based assignments) and project work. The exercises are linked to the topics taught. The project assignment is to be carried out in groups of 2-3 students and concerns FEM analysis and design of a structure. The report forms part of the assessment for the grade awarded for the course. Detailed guidelines for the project assignment will be published in Canvas.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student:

· has advanced theoretical knowledge of building technology and specialized insight into how to apply this knowledge to a real technical building issue.

· is capable of analysing a specific topic using scientific work methods.

· has developed a comprehensive understanding of what the design of large buildings involves.

Skills:

The student is capable of:

· applying theoretical knowledge in the field to solve real complex technical building problems.

· using his/her knowledge to assess and develop more sustainable design solutions.

· using analysis tools and methods, and carrying out literature searches for the purpose of collecting, processing and presenting relevant information.

General competence:

The student is capable of:

· working in teams and communicating his/her own work

· carrying out a project assignment, including a report and presentation

· preparing a project plan with milestones, and reporting interim results.

Type of assessment:

1) Individual written exam (three hours), weighted 60 %

2) Project report prepared in groups of 2-3 students, approx. 20-30 pages, weighted 40 %

All assessment parts must be awarded a pass grade (E or better) in order for the student to pass the course. In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral examination may be used instead. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed.

Assessment parts:

1) All printed and written aids and a calculator that cannot be used to communicate with others.

2) All aids are permitted.

Portfolio assessment subject to the following requirements:

1) Project report prepared in groups of 2-4 students, approx. 50-75 pages, with oral presentation, weighted approx. 70 %

2) Individual in-depth report, approx. 10-15 pages, weighted approx. 30 %

Each student's work will be assessed together as a portfolio with one individual grade at the end of the semester, but the two parts that make up the portfolio must be assessed as 'pass' in order for the student to pass the course. The weights are approximate and included here to provide additional information to the students on how their work is assessed. Detailed guidelines for the project assignments will be published in Canvas.

The overall assessment cannot be appealed. Formal errors can be appealed. If a student fails the portfolio assessment, he/she is given one opportunity to resubmit the portfolio.

A grade scale with grades from A to E for pass (with A being the highest grade and E being the lowest pass grade) and F for fail is used in connection with the final assessment.