Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)

Module ENGI4141: CIVIL DESIGN AND MATERIALS

Department: Engineering

ENGI4141: CIVIL DESIGN AND MATERIALS

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2013/14 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to H200

Prerequisites

  • Level 3 MEng Civil Engineering.

Corequisites

  • As specified in programme regulations.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • As specified in programme regulations.

Aims

  • This module is designed solely for students studying School of Engineering and Computing Sciences degree programmes.
  • The module will provide graduates with advanced knowledge and understanding of structural design and analytical methods as applied to civil engineering.

Content

  • Bending and shear design of reinforced concrete beams.
  • Effects of moment redistribution on design for bending.
  • Cement manufacture, cement replacements, mix design, admixtures and durability issues.
  • Steel corrosion.
  • Fire resistance.
  • Techniques for prestressing.
  • Serviceability and ultimate limit state design of prestressed concrete beams.
  • Computational Stress Analysis.
  • Weighted Residual derivation of the Finite Element Method.
  • Theory of 8-noded hexahedral isoparametric finite elements.
  • Geometric and Material Nonlinearity.
  • Elasto-plasticity theory.
  • Newton-Raphson scheme for non-linear Finite Element Analysis.
  • Use of finite element programs.
  • Civil Engineering Modelling.
  • Plate theory and finite elements for plates.
  • Meshless methods for solid mechanics.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Ability to design reinforced concrete beams for moment redistribution effects.
  • Ability to design pre-stressed concrete beams for bending and shear.
  • Ability to understand the strengths and weaknesses of civil engineering materials.
  • An understanding of Weighted Residual approaches to development of the finite element method.
  • An understanding of the fundamentals of modern computational techniques for static stress analysis, and an appreciation of their capabilities and limitations.
  • An understanding of techniques for non-linear analysis in static stress analysis.
  • Ability to understand simple plate theory and plate finite elements.
  • Ability to understand meshless methods.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • An awareness of current technology, analysis methods and industrial practises along with the ability to apply those methods in novel situations.
  • An appreciation of the influence of material behaviour on design methods.
  • To use effectively specialised, advanced computational tools (including MATLAB) for the analysis of stress.
  • An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialised and advanced technical and professional skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review and an ability to communicate the results of their own work effectively.
Key Skills:
  • Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
  • Highly specialised numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
  • Highly specialised use of information technology (IT) relevant to the engineering profession.
  • Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • There are three courses, Structural Design, Advanced Modelling for Civil Engineers and Computational Stress Analysis.
  • These are delivered as lectures and are reinforced by computing seminars and problem sheets, leading to the required problem solving capability.
  • Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign up sessions available for up to one hour per week.
  • Written timed examinations are appropriate because of the wide range of analytical, in-depth material covered in this module and to demonstrate the ability to solve advanced problems independently.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Structural Design Lectures 20 Typically 1 per week 1 Hour 20
Advanced Modelling for Civil Engineers Lectures 10 Typically 1 per week 1 Hour 10
Computational Stress Analysis Lectures 10 Typically 1 per week 1 Hour 10
Tutorial Hours As required Weekly sign-up sessions Up to 1 Hour 8
Preparation and Reading 152
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Structural Design 2 hours 50% No
Analytical methods for civil engineers (Advanced Modelling for CivilEngineers & Computational Stress Analysis) 2 hours 50% No

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University