Introductory description

ES3E2-15 Civil Engineering Design 2

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.

Analysis software (SAP 2000, PLAXIS2D)
Numerical modelling methodologies as applied to civil engineering design problems. Lecture content will not be mathematical; the focus shall be on how to model and correctly interpret results to assist in the design decision making process. Lectures will include:

• Introduction to software, scope and limitations (SAP 2000, PLAXIS2D)
• Types of analysis from linear elastic small displacement to material and geometrical non-linearities, and from static to instability and dynamics
• 2D vs. 3D
• Solid, shell and column-beam elements
• Boundary conditions – loading, displacements and contact modelling
• Mesh design and specification
• Constitutive material models
• Validation and numerical error checking. Interpretation and presentation of numerical results

Labs will introduce students on how to use the three software packages of SAP 2000, PLAXIS 2D, and for students to practise working on introductory examples to be completed during a session.

Learning outcomes

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

• Model and analyse civil engineering structures for the purpose of design.
• Distinguish the scope and limitations of different type of analyses and how to interpret numerical results for assisting the design decision making process.
• Examine and apply design procedures for designing buildings and other structures.
• Produce and present a professional technical report outlining the applied numerical modelling methodology and presenting output results of numerical analysis.
• Produce and present a professional technical report including a set of design calculations for a design of building structure

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. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including time management, which may be as a team member or leader
5. Awareness of the nature of business and enterprise in the creation of economic and social value
6. Overcome difficulties by employing skills, knowledge and understanding in a flexible manner
7. Ability to formulate and operate within appropriate codes of conduct, when faced with an ethical issue
8. Appreciation of the global dimensions of engineering, commerce and communication
9. Be professional in their outlook, be capable of team working, be effective communicators, and be able to exercise responsibility and sound management approaches.