Base: Structural Engineering

In this module, the learning line on Modelling, data monitoring and sensing and Uncertainty and risk analysis is continued from the Faculty base module. Modelling of structures is central in the SE Track, since both mechanics and codes are in their essence models of real structural behaviour. Data and sensing is addressed sideways when it comes to the determination of mechanical properties and behaviour of materials and structures from laboratory experiments. Experimental results are discussed to illustrate e.g. failure phenomena during lectures and to explain the basis of codes and design models. Ethics is reflected through sustainability and circularity that are the major aspects that future structural engineers need to develop in order to preserve environment. Designing skills are important for all structural engineers and in this module the goal is that students embrace principles and good feeling of structural design with traditional construction systems and materials. The module is composed of 2 units: Unit 1 - Sustainable Construction Members and Systems (8EC) and Unit 2 - Mechanics of Slender Structures (7EC).

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.

The content of Unit 1 is divided into 6 themes offered over 8 weeks in Q2 and 8 weeks in Q3 with a workload of 5EC and 3EC, respectively. In Q2, loads and sustainability aspects of structural design and design and analysis of steel and timber members are covered. In Q3, the design and analysis of prestressed concrete systems and connections in steel and timber structures are covered.

Unit 2 treats the mechanics of slender structures. In Q2, simple cases are treated in which analytical solutions of single elements are possible. The goal is to explain physics and the basics of the methods. In Q3, the focus is shifted towards more design-type assignments in which the students apply the solution methods in more complex systems consisting of combined one-dimensional structural elements and plates together with complex boundary/interface conditions. The unit covers:

Formulation of governing equations of one-dimensional and two-dimensional slender structures.

• Statics and dynamics of cables, rods, shear beams and beams in bending.

• Statics and dynamics of plates in bending.

• Statics and dynamics of combinations of one-dimensional slender structures.

• Statics and dynamics of plates undergoing in-plane deformations.

• Statics and dynamics of combinations of one-dimensional and two-dimensional slender structures.