Base: Structural & Materials Enigineering

The base module CIEM1000 aims to equip students with both structural engineering design competence and a deeper understanding of construction materials and their mechanical behavior. By combining complementary units from the Structural Engineering (SE) and Structural & Materials Engineering (SME) tracks, the module provides a well-rounded foundation in both structural design principles and construction materials engineering.

Together, these units provide a robust framework for analysing and designing safe, efficient, and sustainable structures. Students completing this module will be well-prepared to address the challenges of modern structural engineering, combining material insight with design expertise.

The module is composed of three interconnected units spread over two quarters:

Unit 1: Sustainable Construction Members and Systems (8 EC – 5 EC in Q2, 3 EC in Q3) - also see CIEM5000 unit 1 syllabus.

Unit coordinator: Dr. ir. A. Tsouvalas
This unit broadens SME students’ structural engineering capabilities by guiding them through six core themes over two quarters.

• In Q2, the focus is on loads in structural design, sustainability aspects of construction, and the design and analysis of steel and timber structural members.

• In Q3, students advance to the design and analysis of prestressed concrete systems and detailed connections in steel and timber structures.
  Throughout, the unit emphasizes sound structural reasoning, design intuition, and the application of sustainability and circularity principles in modern engineering practice.

  Unit 1 focuses on loads and sustainability aspects of structural design and design and analysis of steel, timber and concrete members. More specifically, the following topics are covered:

• Identification and quantification of loads on structures. This includes short-term, long term, and moveable loads, and the combination of different types of loads.

• Design of steel cross sections and members. Influence of properties of base material, production routes and execution tolerances on verification of critical steel cross sections loaded in bending and shear, members loaded in compression and steel bolted and welded connections.

• Design of timber cross sections and members. Identification of material properties and their use in the design and verification for strength, stiffness and stability at member level. Design and verification of timber joints and connections.

• Analysis and verification of response of prestressed concrete members exposed to forces, i.e.: axial, bending and shear, in order to meet requirements for ultimate and serviceability limit state.

• Application of the principles of sustainability and circularity in civil engineering structures. The content on sustainability covers general

  LCA approaches and system boundaries supported by specific environmental product data, fabrication processes used in construction of structures, railways and roads. Main principles of circularity and reusability will be covered supported by examples of real structures.

  Unit 2: Science and Selection of Construction Materials (4 EC – Q2)

  Unit coordinator: Dr. O. Copuroglu
  This unit introduces the chemical and physical foundations of construction materials and their influence on mechanical performance. Students learn how manufacturing processes, microstructure, and environmental conditions affect material properties. The unit also trains students in material selection methods, emphasizing the relationship between composition, sustainability, and performance for various construction applications.

• Introduction; Chemistry of Construction Materials; Phases and Microstructures

• Thermodynamic concepts and electrochemistry

• Earth Materials and Aggregates

• Portland Cement

• Building Physics Fundamentals

• Glass, Wood and Timber, Bituminous Materials

• Polymers and Organic Additives, FRC

• Materials Selection Workshops

Unit 3 Fracture Mechanics (3 EC – Q3)

Unit coordinator: Dr. F. Messali
This unit deepens students’ understanding of failure mechanisms in construction materials. It introduces fracture mechanics concepts and experimental methods to characterize crack formation, propagation, and failure. Theoretical insights are paired with lab-based examples to connect microscopic material behavior with macroscopic structural performance.

• Theory of Griffith

• Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics

• Cohesive zone model and FEM

• Quasi-brittle failure

• Fracture mechanics in timber

• Fracture mechanics in glass and masonry

• Fracture mechanics in metals

• Environmental influences on fracture