4 ECTS credits
115 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4023636ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
2nd 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
Dimitrios Angelis (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
36 contact hours Lecture
12 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

The course aims at offering basic principles of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) focusing on modern concepts of sensors and data acquisition and analysis.

Specific topics include introduction to SHM concepts pro-active, re-active maintenance, sensors and data acquisition for damage evaluation, advanced signal processing methods, repair methodologies in concrete structures and repair effectiveness evaluation, modal analysis, risk analysis, pathology of structures – post mortem analysis, contactless monitoring, examples of SHM projects of large structures for damage and repair evaluation.

Several practical examples are demonstrated about how SHM can be used for evaluation of the condition of structures aiming at safe infrastructure management and extension of service life.

In addition to the lectures, laboratory sessions using modern available technologies (air coupled ultrasound and wireless data transmission) will help the students experience first-hand the benefit and applicability of the techniques.

Furthermore, the students divided in small groups select a topic related to SHM (sensing technology- or structure- oriented) to study in depth and deliver a presentation.

The course will host a number of guest lectures on some of the above topics by international experts.

 

Additional info

Lecture material available on Canvas

Recommended previous knowledge: basic Physics concepts, waves (elastic and electro magnetic wave propagation), sensors and measuring principles, material properties, basics on construction materials.

Learning Outcomes

General Learning Outcomes

Basic knowledge about the technologies that enable assessment of the structural condition aiming at extension of service life and therefore, supporting sustainability in the built environment. Basic knowledge of the modern repair methodologies and for the first time in an engineering MSc course, of experimental techniques to evaluate the quality of repair.

Ability to select the most appropriate SHM strategy depending on the type of structure, and experimental observation.
Through the selection of SHM topic for further study the students will enhance their collaboration potential in small groups, communication and presentation skills. 

The course offers interdisciplinary knowledge in broad technology areas of the SHM field, like monitoring and maintenance strategies, sensing and data acquisition technology. In addition, it discusses repair of structures and repair effectiveness assessment. The integration of these fields is crucial to support the reliability-based assessment about the capacity of a component/structure to perform its intended function in an adequate way, based on the analysis of measured data. 

The course contributes to the following general outcomes:

  • understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering
  • ability to present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience.
  • ability to collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team.
  • ability to think critically about and evaluate projects, systems and processes, particularly when based on incomplete, contradictory and/or redundant information.
  • critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others
  • flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context.
  • an attitude of life-long learning as needed for the future development of his/her career.
  • design (conceptually and quantitatively), model, realize and manage concrete, steel and composite structures in the context of buildings and civil engineering infrastructures
  • combine computational modelling methods and experimental techniques to tackle complex structural and material analysis problems.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
LEC Presentation determines 20% of the final mark.
PRAC Lab Work determines 20% of the final mark.

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

  • Oral Exam with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 60% of the final mark.

Within the LEC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Presentation with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Within the PRAC Lab Work category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Laboratory work with a relative weight of 30 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final grade will be calculated as

60% Oral exam (individually)

20% Laboratory report (in groups)

20% Presentation (in groups)

 

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 Civil Engineering: Standaard traject (BRUFACE)