5 ECTS credits
130 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4017451DNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen
Department
Mechanics of Materials and Constructions
Educational team
Sven De Sutter (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
24 contact hours Lecture
36 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

The course is composed of five parts.
Part 1 Fundamentals of the design of structures in reinforced concrete
This part starts with a short overview of design methods: elastic design, method using partial safety factors, probabilistic design and failure design.
Next, the design loads are identified. This includes fundamental aspects on the identification of structural schemes and the performance of structural analysis of structures in reinforced concrete.
Finally, material behavior is discussed, with the identification of the design values.


Part 2 Basic theory of design of beams in reinforced concrete
This part first focuses on the determination of the main reinforcement in reinforced concrete sections in the Ultimate Limit State (ULS), and on the verification of sections in the Serviceability Limit State (SLS): verification of stress levels and simplified criteria for avoiding unacceptable crack opening and deformation. Practical detailing of reinforcement is also discussed.
Next, attention is paid to the design for shear, with analysis of shear strength of members without and with shear reinforcement and to the detailing of shear reinforcement.
Finally, fundamentals about crack opening are presented in view of the introduction of the simplified model for deflection calculation.


Part 3 Design of slabs
This part is limited to the design of one-way, two-way and continuous slabs by means of simplified design methods (Marcus, Czerny). Attention is paid to the practical detailing of reinforcement and the torsion problem in corners.
The equivalent framework method for flat slab design is discussed and is complemented by an introduction to the punching shear design problem.
Finally, the strip method is presented as a versatile tool for solving various design problems: openings in slabs, concentrated loads, complex shapes and boundary conditions.


Part 4 Design of columns
This part is limited to the determination of the sensitivity of columns for buckling and to the detailing of reinforcement in columns. Buckling analysis is not part of this course.


Part 5 Strut and tie method
This part presents the strut and tie method for the design of walls, foundation blocs, deep beams, corbels and all regions with discontinuity in geometry or actions.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : The course text (in English) is available for the students on Canvas, Canvas & WEBCITY
Additional info

The course documents are also available and accessible via a Google Drive folder for all students.

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

The Master of Science in Engineering has in-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering.

The Master of Science in Engineering has in-depth knowledge and understanding of integrated structural design methods in the framework of a global design strategy.

The Master of Science in Engineering has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced methods and theories to schematise and model complex problems or processes.

The Master of Science in Engineering can reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity).

The Master of Science in Engineering can develop, plan, execute and manage engineering projects at the level of a starting professional.

The Master of Science in Engineering has a critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others.

The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering has in-depth knowledge and understanding of architectural sciences and sustainable design methods and theories with the specificity of their application to complex architectural and urban design projects.

The Master of Science in Architectural Engineering can design innovative buildings and structures based on cutting-edge (digital) modelling and analysis methods, and a good understanding of material and structural behaviour.

The Master of Science in Civil Engineering can design (conceptually and quantitatively), model, realize and manage concrete, steel and composite structures in the context of buildings and civil engineering infrastructures.

The Master of Science in Civil Engineering – Option Structures can integrate advanced modelling tools for the design of complex structures in civil engineering.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Written Exam determines 50% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • oral exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: • The student draws two questions (one from series 1 and one from series 2) about topics that have been treated during the course in class.

    • The preparation phase: during a limited preparation time (maximum 1 hour), the student writes down on paper the essential elements of his answers. This written preparation is mandatory and is composed of:
    - the key elements that permit to answer to the two questions related to the course text.
    - Students are asked not to write down whole paragraphs of the course text. The students are requested to write down only those key-words, key-formulas, key-figures or to draw explicative sketches, which are essential to answer to the question.

    This preparation phase is a closed-book preparation.

    • The discussion phase: after the preparation phase, the examiner evaluates the answers to the two questions that are written down on the paper. During this examination, the examiner will assess the students’ understanding of their written answer. The examiner will also ask some complementary questions about the other chapters to evaluate the general knowledge of the student over the whole course.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • written exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: The exercise questions are based on the type of exercises that are made in class. The students get 4 hours to complete the exam. A clear elaboration of the solution of all exercises (writing down the intermediate steps) is required. It is allowed to use all (paper) documentation. Electronic devices are not allowed.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Transferring marks

If a student did not pass this course (global mark < 10/20), but the student has passed (≥ 10/20) one of the two parts of the exam (theory exam or exercise exam), it is possible to transfer the marks of the successful exam (≥ 10/20) to the next examination session within the same academic year. Of course, the student can choose to retake both parts of the exam. If a student wishes to transfer the marks of a successful part of the exam (and thus not participate to this part of the exam in the 2nd exam session), the student needs to state this clearly before the start of the exam period by sending a mail to the examiner.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Civil Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Architectural Engineering: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Civil Engineering: Standaard traject (BRUFACE)
Master of Architectural Engineering: default