Design of Structural Components

The A2 Module focuses on the Design of Structural Components. Potential for reducing environmental impact of structures and achieving an optimum structural design lies in integrating construction materials in structures where they best fit, given their mechanical and functional properties. By successfully completing this module, you will learn to understand the possibilities and limitations of both conventional and innovative construction materials, select and or adjust their properties according the functionality of the structures. You will learn to design structural members which combine the advantages of various materials such as steel, concrete, FRP or timber. Designing future structures, using innovative construction materials, optimised for circularity (prefabricated and demountable constructions) will be emphasised. The module consists of two units: (1) Prefabricated and composite structures and (2) Design with innovative materials . You will learn to design prefabricated and composite structures made of conventional construction materials, and will also explore improvements with novel construction materials, (composite) systems and fabrication methods.

A2-1: Prefabricated and composite structures:

The content is divided into 4 themes offered in Q3. More specifically the envisioned content is as follows:

Theme 1: STEEL

• Design verification of steel members (beam-columns) exposed to interaction, axial force and transversal load

• Hollow section steel structures; Main topology of joints

• Steel-concrete composite structures; Principles of design; prerequisites and consequences of full and partial composite action;

Theme 2: TIMBER

• Engineered wood products

• Massive timber buildings and timber frame housing

• Connections in prefabricated timber structures

• Timber trusses and portal frames

• Timber concrete composite structures

Theme 3: CONCRETE

• External prestressing

• Strut-and-tie models and detailing

• Prefabricated elements for building and infrastructure

Theme 4: RAILWAY

• Conventional track structures and innovations, such as prefab concrete slab tracks; prestressed concrete sleepers, timber sleepers, composite sleepers; composite ballast bed

• Modular in railway infrastructure: current experiences and perspectives

A2-2: Design with innovative materials:

The content deals with a wide overview of innovative construction materials, their applications, functional, sustainability and safety benefits and basic principles of design. The unit is offered in Q3. More specifically the envisioned content is as follows:

Theme 1: HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE

• Introduce new types of cementitious materials ((SHCC), UHPFRC, Geopolymer concrete, auxetic, phase change, self-sensing, self-healing, 3d printed, recycled)

Theme 2: RECYCLED MATERIALS

• Introduction of recycled construction materials and their circularity

• Adaptive design for easy dismantling and reusing structural materials

• Challenges and opportunities.

Theme 3: HIGH PERFORMANCE STEEL AND COMPOSITE STRUCTURES Weathering and stainless steel; High strength steel Composite materials and members

Theme 4: STRUCTURAL GLASS

• basic information on how structural glass is used and what the material properties are, basic calculations Theme 5: DIGITAL MANUFACTURING

• 3D printed steel (material, members, connections) 3D printed concrete; Wood -plastic composites. Theme 6: INNOVATIONS IN PAVEMENT ENGINEERING

• Introduction of pavement structure with emerging materials

• Emerging materials to enhance performance and functionality of pavement

Theme 7: INNOVATIONS IN RAILWAY ENGINEERING • Conventional track structures and innovations, such as embedded rail (elastomeric materials), polymer sleepers, coated ballast.