Module manager: Phil Purnell
Email: P.Purnell@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Admission to UG programmes in the School of Civil Engineering
CIVE2150 Structural Design 1 CIVE2301 Civil Engineering Materials II CIVE2360 Structural Analysis 1
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is concerned with the interdependence between materials and structural behaviour. It includes: the design of steel and reinforced concrete structures; the engineering properties and behaviour of steel, concrete and their composites; and the analysis of structures. Students learn: the design methods for reinforced concrete elements (slabs, beams and columns) and steel structures; the importance of materials to the performance and sustainability of structures; and how to analyse the elastic behaviour of indeterminate structures.
The objectives of this module are:
- To understand the fundamental principles of Limit State Design and how they inform the design of steel and concrete structures.
- To acquire the knowledge necessary to analyse and efficiently design reinforced concrete beams, columns and slabs and steel elements subject to flexure, shear and axial loads.
- To learn how to design for continuity in reinforced concrete structures and connections in steel structures.
- To learn and understand the fundamental properties of cement, steel, concrete and their composites.
- To understand how the choice and specification of materials has implications for structural design and the durability of structures.
- To understand how to make material and structural design choices that minimise our impact on the environment.
- To acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to calculate the force actions in indeterminate structures using different techniques including matrix analysis with spreadsheets.
- To learn how to compute solutions to complex structural stress problems, including the basic principles of finite element analysis.
On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes (contributing to the AHEP4 learning outcomes between brackets and the ARB competences between square brackets):
1. Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of structural analysis and structural design problems, informed by a critical awareness and the wider context of engineering. (C1/M1) [CK5 part]
2. Formulate and analyse structural analysis problems to reach substantiated conclusions, using engineering judgement to work with information that may be uncertain/incomplete. (C2/M2)
3. Select and apply the appropriate techniques to model and analyse structures, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed. (C3/M3)
4. Design solutions for structural design problems that evidence some creativity and meet a combination of societal and user needs, considering the relevant codes of practice and industry standards. This will involve consideration of health and safety and environmental matters. (C5/M5) [CK7, D8 part]
5. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of the choice of materials, material specification and structural design to minimise adverse impacts. (C7/M7)
6. Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate the properties of materials and the behaviour of reinforced concrete and steel structures. (C12/M12)
7. Select and apply the appropriate materials and structural forms for the design of engineering structures, recognising their limitations. (C13/M13) [CK5]
8. Place the global challenges of the climate emergency and the UNSDGs central to the material selection, design and construction thinking, developing an ability to carry out embodied-carbon checks and how this can be minimised. (JBM design/sustainability thread) [CK4, D9 part]
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
a- Problem solving and analytical skills
b- Structural design, component assembly and construction skills
c- Use of hands and power tools
d- Time management , planning and organising
e- Team working/collaboration
f- Reliability or reproducibility of data
g- Interpretation of data
h- Writing reports /communication
Working under pressure
PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURAL DESIGN
- Minimise material consumption (efficient design, new-build vs refurb, reuse)
- Minimise material footprint (recycling of steel, low-carbon concretes, functional units and LCA.
DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES:
- Introduction: limit state design, types of slabs, beams and columns, properties of concrete and reinforcement
- Design of reinforced concrete beams in flexure and shear
- Serviceability limit states: cracking and deflection
- Design of reinforced concrete columns in compression and bending
DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES:
- Loads on steel building frames
- Fabrication, bracing, connections, modes of failure and analysis
- Classification of steel sections and design for load-bearing capacity in frames and trusses
- Design of steel connections
MATERIALS:
- Theory of elastic failure of brittle and ductile materials
- Binders and aggregates for concrete
- Fresh state and hardened state properties of concrete relevant to mechanical performance and durability
- Steel and steel reinforcement
- Durability of reinforced concrete
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS:
- Stiffness method for the analysis of indeterminate structures using matrices.
- Moment distribution in continuous beams and no-sway frames
- Matrix methods for analysing 2D pin-jointed structures
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Lecture | 43 | 2 | 86 |
| Practical | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Seminar | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Independent online learning hours | 25 | ||
| Private study hours | 250 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 125 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Students will receive feedback on their problem sheets and additional exercises they will work on during the tutorial and consultation sessions.
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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