Design en Construction

In the project, groups of approximately 10 students will act as a structural design team. In the first project assignment, you will explore the properties of different materials and complete a preliminary design. In the second project assignment, you will design a structure that will be tested with a limited number of design variables; the structure has specified dimensions and should be able to sustain a specified load while minimizing the structural weight. In the final third project assignment, you will combine the lessons learned from the first and second assignment and apply them to a new (structural) design problem with more variables. Each assignment will have defined deliverables which need to be handed in before the stated deadlines during the project. 

A technical writing (TW) course runs concurrently with the project, but is scheduled separately. During the 5 TW sessions, you will be taught how to write technical reports and improve your writing skills. TW is run by TPM faculty staff. 

A Technical Writing Information Literacy (TWIL) course is part of the project. This (online) course will teach you searching for relevant literature which is required to be incorporated into the Design Reports for each assignment. This course is part of technical writing. This course is run by TU Delft library staff. 

Information with respect to course logistics, relevant deadlines and project assignments will be communicated using the Brightspace course page.

Note: First year students are automatically enrolled and assigned to a (new) group. Upper year students who did not complete the Design and Construction project please contact Education-AE (Education-AE@tudelft.nl) to be registered before February 1st.

The final grade for the project consists of the following partial grades:

1) A group grade for the second project assignment (Q3) - (15%)

2) A group grade for the third project assignment (Q4) - (35%)

3) A grade for technical writing based on the group design report (20%)

4) An individual grade - (30%)

Note (1) and (2): The group grades for project assignment 2 and 3 are assessed on technical report content (not writing) by Staff and TA's.

Note (3): The individual assignment for technical writing needs to be graded with a ‘pass’ in order to obtain a passing grade for this section. The Technical Writing Information Literacy (TWIL) course needs to be completed before the set deadline to obtain a passing grade in this section. The final Wing Design report is assessed on writing by the technical writing staff for the group grade that counts for 20% within the project.

Note (4): This grade is based on project peer reviews, attendance and work ethics for the complete project duration (Q3 and Q4).

During the project several deadlines, for peer evaluation and assignments/deliverables, need to be met. Failing to meet a project deadline will result in a grade penalty or failing the entire course.

Grades will be determined per the requirements listed below:

1. The whole project has been completed

2. All rules regarding absence are met

3. All compensatory assignments have been completed successfully (if applicable)

4. No more than one partial grade is lower than 6.0

5. All partial grades are 5.0 or higher

If any of the conditions listed under 1-5 are not met, a final grade of 1.0 is awarded for the project. If a grade of 1.0 is awarded to a student, the entire project must be redone in the following academic year.

Both partial and final grades will be rounded to 1 decimal.

The following rules regarding absence hold:

1. The student must attend the first week of the project. Not being present in the first week of the project results in exclusion from participation in the project in that academic year.

2. Students must attend all scheduled project session, but due to illness or family circumstances are allowed to miss a maximum of 2 project sessions per period (half semester).

3. Students are also allowed, given sufficient communication with teaching assistants, staff and team members, to join one project session online in total. Joining online is only allowed via the Microsoft Teams application, using the dedicated channel. Their on-camera online presence must be traceable by the teaching assistant, teammates, and staff. No online attendance is permitted for practical sessions.

4. If a project has a supporting course the student is only allowed to be absent for one session of this course. This session is not counted as a missed project session as mentioned under 4.

5. Attendance (online/on-campus) is mandatory during the scheduled project session hours. Missing time (either by being late or leaving at any time) during project sessions can result in being registered as missed sessions.

6. Missed sessions must be compensated according to the rules stated below.

7. Absence for whatever reason for more than the allowed number of sessions or failure to deliver a compensating assignment will mean that the student cannot obtain a passing grade for the project.

8. Students who are of the opinion that there are relevant extenuating circumstances can turn to the academic counselors for guidance.

For compensating absence, read the information under Special Information