Introductory description

ES3D2-15 Steel Structures

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction to steel structures: Structures for buildings and bridges and the design process: types and forms of structure; load paths; choice of structural materials (steel grades); design of individual members and connections; influence of imperfections, design for construction methods; H&S issues (e.g. CDM 2014); sustainable construction and the client’s view. Eurocode system for limit state design: loads and load combinations and arrangements; ULS (resistance) and SLS; (deflections and vibration), robustness (Building Regulations), frame stability, fire design and durability.

Plastic collapse analysis: ULS for members and frames, to limit analysis, mention of shakedown; interpretation of results for the design process.
Geometric properties of steel sections.

Design process: Tension struts, Local buckling and classification, Laterally-restrained beams; (bending moment and shear), Uniform and non-uniform torsion: Unrestrained and restrained warping, Laterally-unrestrained beams - lateral-torsional buckling, Column members; buckling curves; interaction of bending and axial compression.

Introduction to Connections and Joints, and flooring systems.

Overall stability of frames: Second-order P- effects; elastic critical buckling loads and beam-column members. Design process: cr and Merchant-Rankine formula modification.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand function of structures as load-bearers and the response of members, joints and frames.
• Propose concepts for common civil engineering structures of steel, particularly those related to buildings.
• Analyse common building structures to determine response to load.
• Determine form and size of structural elements.
• Sketch structural solutions.
• Prepare structural calculations.
• Appraise alternative structural solutions and examine critically the results of structural analysis.
• Appreciate the needs of clients and relationship between design and safety.

Indicative reading list

Martin, L. and Purkiss, J., Structural Design of Steelwork - To EN 1993 and EN 1994, 3rd Ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2008.
Davison, B. and Owens, G.W. (Eds.) Steel Designer’s Manual, Wiley-Blackwell, 7th edition, 2012.
Roberts, J., Structural Eurocodes - Extracts from the Structural Eurocodes for Students of Structural Design (3rd Edition): (PP 1990:2010), BSI Standards Ltd, 2010.
AccessSteel http://www.steelbiz.org/ (for Eurocode 3)

Subject specific skills

1. Ability to conceive, make and realise a component, product, system or process
2. Ability to develop economically viable and ethically sound sustainable solutions
3. Ability to be pragmatic, taking a systematic approach and the logical and practical steps necessary for, often complex, concepts to become reality
4. Ability to seek to achieve sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for being creative and innovative
5. Ability to be risk, cost and value-conscious, and aware of their ethical, social, cultural, environmental, health and safety, and wider professional engineering responsibilities

Transferable skills

1. Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize solutions
2. Apply problem solving skills, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities
3. Communicate (written and oral; to technical and non-technical audiences) and work with others
4. Awareness of the nature of business and enterprise in the creation of economic and social value
5. Overcome difficulties by employing skills, knowledge and understanding in a flexible manner
6. Ability to formulate and operate within appropriate codes of conduct, when faced with an ethical issue
7. Appreciation of the global dimensions of engineering, commerce and communication