STRCTENG 710 will build on the individual component design taught for timber, concrete and steel elements in the year three courses, by introducing structural systems, centered on low-rise commercial and residential buildings. The focus of this course is the fundamentals of building systems with an emphasis on load paths, earthquake loading and building response.
The first two weeks will cover general seismic design, application of NZS 1170.5, focusing on the application and limitations of equivalent static method. The concept of capacity design and its general application as well as an introduction to low damage design, key concepts of resilience and seismic hazard will be discussed.
The course will provide an understanding of the characteristics of different structural systems across different materials, their typical lateral response, their ductile mechanisms and their appropriateness to certain building forms. Through a section on structural form and load paths, common errors in design and detailing will be investigated.
The principles of sustainable structural design will be introduced, looking at the role of embodied carbon within the built environment, and how structural engineers can respond to the call for reduced emissions.
Strut and Tie design will be taught and applied to discuss and explain load paths, the role of diaphragms, and load transfer through reinforced concrete connections.
The second half of the course will focus on structural steel, with a review of steel element design, a focus on design of steel connections, followed by combining the member and connection requirements into the design of parts of a portal frame building.
This course consists of lectures, a weekly tutorial, quizzes, a mid-semester test and design assignment. In addition, you will be expected to learn from additional reading, problem solving, structural drawings and other work outside of formal contact hours. The course requires students to become familiar with part of the Design Actions Standard and the material standards for concrete, timber and steel. The course is well supported by the course notes and published texts.