Module manager: Dr Vasilis Sarhosis
Email: V.Sarhosis@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
CIVE3139 - Steel and Concrete Engineering
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module covers the design of structural elements, civil engineering structures and buildings in prestressed concrete, steel, timber, and masonry. Building on previous modules, students learn advanced aspects related to the design of multi-storey buildings, prestressed concrete bridge decks, and the use of timber and masonry elements in residential structures. Students develop a holistic understanding of these materials and how to design structures that utilize their characteristics in an efficient and sustainable way.
- To move from the elementary design of structural steel members to the concept of steel design of structures and buildings and study their failure modes due to lateral loads and vertical progressive collapse;
- To provide technical knowledge relevant to the design of details in steel structures, such as moment connections and base-plates;
- To introduce the different types of prestressed concrete elements and the main technological aspects relevant to their production and design;
- To provide the technical knowledge required to design beams and other structural elements with prestressed concrete using EC2;
- To introduce structural forms of masonry (walls and columns) and to provide technical knowledge on masonry design construction and details;
- To introduce timber as a structural material and provide technical knowledge on timber design as well as its applications in structural engineering including connections;
- To provide more complete means for the design and analysis of steel, concrete, masonry and timber structures and to familiarise students with a range of typical processing techniques;
- To provide practical guidance on the use of relevant standards, namely EC2 (concrete), EC3 (steel), EC5 (timber), and EC6 (masonry).
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject (contributing to the AHEP4 learning outcomes indicated 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 design problems, informed by a critical awareness and the wider context of engineering. (C1/M1)
2. Formulate and analyse complex design 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 and methods to analyse structures and structural elements in different materials, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed. (C3/M3)
4. Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information, such as manufacturer’s specifications or product catalogues, to solve complex design problems. (C4/M4)[RE1 part]
5. Design structural design solutions 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)[D5,D8,D11part]
6. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of materials specification and structural design choices to minimise adverse impacts. (C7/M7)
7. Select and apply the appropriate materials and structural forms for the design of engineering structures, recognising their limitations. (C13/M13) [CK5]
8. Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters, i.e. in design reports/presentations, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used. (C17/M17)[M11 part]
9. 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 part]
Professionalism
Use of knowledge
In this module students gain an understanding of the more advanced aspects of structural steel building frame behaviour such as progressive collapse (and avoiding disproportionate collapse); the sway stability of braced and unbraced multi-storey building frames; the design of multi-storey frames with rigid connections and the consideration of fabrication details, connections and health and safety risk management during construction as an integral part of the building design process. This builds on previous steel design teaching and provides the students with the underpinning knowledge required to inform the design of multi-storey buildings.
The students are also given an introduction to the different forms of prestressed concrete (pre- and post-tensioned); partially prestressed concrete and the use of bonded or un-bonded tendons in construction. This provides the students with the knowledge needed to specify and evaluate different types of floor construction (and also the use of long span concrete construction in buildings with column/wall free zones).
Students also gain an understanding of masonry and timber construction including the specification of alternative forms of masonry and different species of timber and forms of timber construction (including glulam construction and the use of cross laminated timber). Masonry detailing (movement joints and the strapping and tying of roofs and floors) and the connections to create stabilising diaphragm floor action in timber buildings (including timber framed buildings) are also covered in the teaching.
Topics covered include:
STEEL:
Introduction/revision Eurocodes, Multi-storey Buildings;
Progressive Collapse and Avoiding Disproportionate Collapse;
Sway Stability (Braced and Unbraced Multi-storey Frames Design);
Design of Multi-storey Rigid Frames (Rigid Column Base Connections);
Design of Multi-storey Rigid Frames (Moment Connections);
Construction issues, Fabrication, Steel Details, H&S, CDM.
CONCRETE:
Principles and development of pre-stressing;
Pre- and post-tensioning;
Partial and full pre-stressing;
Bonded and un-bonded post-tensioned construction;
Changes in pre-stressing force and prestress losses;
Design to satisfy stress limitations and ductility requirements;
Design of prestressed concrete elements in flexure using a Magnel diagram;
Tendon profiles;
Hyperstatic reactions and concordant tendon profiles;
Ultimate moment capacity of prestressed sections.
MASONRY
Choice of structural form;
Choice of materials;
Principles of limit-state design for masonry walls and columns;
Walls and piers subject to vertical load;
Walls subject to lateral loading;
Masonry details and construction.
TIMBER:
Timber as a structural material;
Members subject to flexure;
Members subjected to axial or combined axial and flexural actions;
Glued laminated members;
Stability bracing, floor and wall diaphragms;
Timber connections.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Lecture | 40 | 1 | 40 |
| Tutorial | 8 | 2 | 16 |
| Private study hours | 134 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 66 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
120 hours - private study/working on examples, tutorials and summative coursework (3 hours per lecture)
32 hours - revision for examination
- Tutorial sheets (2 for Steel, 2 for Concrete, 1 for Masonry, 1 for Timber);
- Suggested complementary design exercises;
- Two pieces of summative coursework.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Summative Coursework | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30 | |
Re-sit - online time-limited assessment 100%
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 3.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70 | |
Re-sit - 100% exam
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team