2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CIVE5972M Advanced Concrete Design (MSc)

15 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Professor John Forth
Email: j.p.forth@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is mutually exclusive with

CIVE5025M

Advanced Concrete Design - MEng

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module investigates the importance of the Serviceability Limit State in the design of RC structures, particularly when the load is an indirect load. SLS design in general, is also considered along with the more common ULS design, particularly the ULS design of two-way spanning flat slabs, where energy methods are used to determine the capacity of existing slabs or the design of new slabs. The link between the performance of RC structures at both limit state designs and material performance is a significant focus throughout the module.

Objectives

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:

Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, materials and their behaviour, and engineering principles to the solution of complex reinforced concrete design and analysis problems. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M1);

Formulate and analyse complex structural engineering design problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using fundamental engineering principles and judgment (both existing and new) to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete and discussing the limitations of the techniques employed. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M2);

Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex reinforced concrete design problems and discuss the limitations of these techniques. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M3);

Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex design problems, optimising the design solutions to minimise these adverse impacts. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M7);

Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment engineering technology in the context of reinforced concrete and recognise their limitations (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M13).

More specific learning outcomes include:
1. compare, contrast and apply alternative methods of design for reinforced concrete slabs;
2. understand and apply the design guidance used in current codes of practice for the design of slender reinforced concrete columns;
3. be aware of the different sources of cracking in concrete structures;
4. understand the mechanisms causing flexural and shrinkage cracking, the design guidance in current codes of practice and the use and limitations of such methods in design.

This module contributes to the AHEP4 learning outcomes M1, M2, M3, M7, M13,

This module will be used for the formative assessment of English language competency.

Skills outcomes
Academic:
a) The ability to plan time, prioritise tasks and organise academic and personal commitments effectively.
b) The ability to recognise and express knowledge and understanding and how it relates to personal experience and to demonstrate learning and growth from that experience (e.g. lessons learned).
c) The ability to apply new concepts and methods (in the context of advanced structural concrete design).

Digital:
d) The ability to find, evaluate, organise and share information ensuring the reliability and integrity of the sources used.
e) The ability to communicate and collaborate constructively and professionally with peers through a variety of digital tools and networks.
f) The ability to use digital technology and techniques to create digital items (spreadsheets and graphs), and the willingness to engage with new practices and perspectives to solve problems, make decisions and answer questions.

Work ready:
g) The ability to prioritise, work efficiently and productively and to manage their time in order to meet deadlines.
h) The ability to take a logical approach to solving problems; resolving issues by tackling from different angles, using both analytical and numerical skills. The ability to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate analytical and numerical data.

Enterprise:
i) The ability to search for, evaluate and use appropriate and relevant information sources to help strengthen the quality of academic work and independent research.

Syllabus

Each of the following topics will focus on fundamental behaviour. Where appropriate, reference will also be made to the design guidance provided in national and international codes of practice.

- Review of pre- and post-cracking behaviour of reinforced concrete.
- Reinforced concrete slabs. Review of methods of elastic and plastic analysis. Lower bound (Hillerborg Strip) and upper bound (yield line) plasticity theory applied to slab design.
- Slender columns. Additional moments due to slenderness effects. Braced and unbraced columns. Uniaxial and biaxial bending.
- Cracking in concrete. Review of the common causes of cracking in concrete. Flexural cracking in reinforced concrete sections; cracking due to end and edge restraint of early thermal effects and drying shrinkage. Practical applications of crack control e.g. design of water retaining structures and bridge design for durability.
- Deflection of concrete beam/slab elements - calculation.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Consultation	10	1.00	10.00
Lecture	15	1.00	15.00
Tutorial	9	1.00	9.00
Private study hours			116.00
Total Contact hours			34.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Topics of directed independent study identified by lecturers to support learning. Such topics will include a review of Eurocode guidance, specialist technical reports published by CIRIA and the Concrete Centre and relevant journal papers (eg The Structural Engineer, ICE Proceedings, ACI Structures Journal).

Non-assessed tutorial questions covering the design of reinforced concrete slabs, columns, flexural crack width estimates and crack control measures.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored in the tutorial periods and feedback will be provided on the return of the two pieces of major coursework.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Problem Sheet	Design Problems	25.00
Problem Sheet	Design Problems	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Candidates are required to answer all 3 questions. The resit will be by exam only (i.e. 100% exam).

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:12:18

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