Building Engineering

This module will focus on the engineering of buildings as complex systems in which many facets need to be aligned in an integrated interdisciplinary design process. From an economy point of view, a share of about 70% of construction industry is involved with buildings, which makes this module very relevant for future civil engineers. The module content is grouped in three learning units:

LEARNING UNIT 1 (LU1, Architecture, Building Physics and Façades, 4 EC) will provide you with the specific building-related background knowledge that is not directly structural engineering:

• contemporary and 19th century architectural styles

• façade design/detailing

• basics of building physics (heat transport, energy efficiency, daylight, solar shading)

• building services (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, vertical transport, water).

LEARNING UNIT 2 (LU2, Building Structures, Construction Methods and Foundations, 6 EC) is about the flow of forces in regular building structures and stability in various typologies of buildings (office, commercial, industrial, residential, etc.). Unit 2 is grouped around the following three themes:

Theme 1 (Building Structures):

• advanced knowledge on the flow of forces in building structures

• stability and lateral resistance and known solutions for various typologies of buildings according to their function (office, commercial, industrial, residential)

• use and reuse of various building materials, to give you a clear understanding on which options are available and which solutions are appropriate for every part of the new or existing building structure

• complexity of the design process and responsibilities of different partners in the design and construction chain

Theme 2 (Foundations):

• Interaction with the subsoil via the foundation is an important part of the building design, and you will learn how to develop a good foundation in cooperation with the geotechnical advisor.

• attention will also be paid to deep excavations, that are often required for foundation and parking garages or other underground spaces under a building.

Theme 3 (Construction methods):

• The design of the building is depending on available construction methods, and by studying these, you will get a clear understanding of the limitations and options each of these methods offer.

• Impact on surroundings and urban context will be addressed, as well as safety of construction, economy and material efficiency (zero-waste) on the construction site.

LEARNING UNIT 3 (LU3, Design of Spatial Structures, 5 EC) is an advanced unit in the field of special and spatial building structures, their design process, structural mechanics, structural behaviour and performance, computational modelling, combined with practical use of design- and analysis tools for structural engineering. Topics include

• structures in nature

• biomimetics

• plates, shells and vaults

• membrane and pneumatic structures

• cable-nets

• tensegrity structures

• (space) frames

• grid(shell) structures and domes

• adaptive and deployable structures.

Whereas Learning Unit 2 will focus on more regular building types, Learning Unit 3 broadens the scope with an extensive introduction into complex geometries and typologies. Apart from design skills, also academic skills will be trained during this unit since the unit includes a mini conference, including the writing and presentation of scientific papers.

Working on an integrating design exercise of a realistic building that connects all three learning units, you will experience the consequences (limitations, options and uncertainties) of available design and construction methods. During the exercise, you will receive feedback from professional building engineers.

Each of the three learning units will have a separate written exam, focused on the theory (lecture notes, textbooks) and skills that can best be assessed in a written exam. Since building engineering is very much design-oriented and aiming for a cognitive level that is hard to assess in the limited time of a written exam, formative assessment moments will be included, for example by tutor feedback, discussion sessions, presentations, and peer review of designs. On overall-module level, for each academic year, a different building for a specific clients’ brief will have to be designed by the students. This design assignment will function as the integrator of the module. The final grade will be determined in a single rubric based on the level of understanding displayed at the presentation (oral exam) and the quality of the final assignment reports.

LU1: individual written exam (2 EC, 13%), design assignment on module level, see below

LU2: individual written exam (3.5 EC, 23%), design assignment on module level, see below

LU3: individual written exam (2.5 EC, 17%), design assignment on module level, see below

The design assignment on module level will comprise 7.0 EC (47%), which ECs are spread over the above 3 learning units (approx. in a proportion 13%, 17%, 17% for LU1/2/3). The assignment will include presentations and a report The design assignment is a team exercise, group size depending on number of participants.

A successful participation in the module requires a minimum grade of 5.8 for all partial grades, so for each of the three written exams and for the design assignment.

For more information on grading, see article 14 in the Rules and Guidelines (RGBE): https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/ceg-student-portal/education/education-information/educational-rules-and-regulations

Permitted Materials during Exam

Will be announced on Brightspace at the start of the module.