STRUCTURAL DESIGN 1 - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module introduces students to the basic principles of structural analysis and design by building on the knowledge gained in semester 1. It consists of two components: (1) Stress Analysis, which extends the work in stress analysis undertaken in ENG1063 from uni-axial to multi-axial conditions; (2) Structural Design, which introduces the limit state approach to the design of simple steel elements under tension, compression and bending, together with an overview of the types of loading acting on structures and their idealisation for design purposes.

Students develop the ability to provide solutions to structural analysis and design problems, building on knowledge/skills acquired in earlier modules and integrating them with new elements necessary in order to tackle more complex tasks. Thus, they become aware of different criteria that must be met for a solution to be successful. The tasks involve the use of codes of practice and the presentation of engineering calculations/data, in a manner similar to that followed by engineers in a professional office.

Module provider

Sustainability, Civil & Env Engineering

Module Leader

HAJIALIZADEH Donya (Sust & CEE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Stress Analysis:

Stress transformation of two-dimensional stress-states

Principal stresses

Strain and strain gauges

Strain transformation and principal strains

Multi-axial stress-strain relationship

Introduction to theories of failure, failure criteria and failure planes

Structural Design:

Causes of structural failure

The process of structural design

Types of loads acting on structures: permanent, variable and accidental; direct and indirect;

Idealisation of structures for design purposes;

Load distribution and load paths in simple structures;

The design philosophy in codified design methods, principally the limit state approach;

The specification of load cases and the basis for partial safety factors in codes of practice;

Design of simple bending, tension and compression elements in steel using clauses and criteria found in design codes.

Principles of stress analysis will be reinforced by practical applications in the laboratory.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the competencies in:

• Applying the principles of structural mechanics to the stress analysis of 1D and 2D problems


• Idealising simple structural forms and designing their principal elements


• Presenting a technical report and engineering calculations with appropriate use of data and presentation of data in tables and graphically (design coursework and laboratory reports)

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Laboratory Reports Coursework 


• Stress Analysis Test (in the form of timed multi-choice question sheet using SurreyLearn) 


• Structural Design Coursework 1


• Structural Design Coursework 2


• Examination 

The Stress Analysis online test and the Structural Design courseworks are designed so that students apply the knowledge acquired in this module in an incremental fashion through the semester. This allows them to hone their skills and develop confidence in tackling design problems before they tackle the end-of-semester Examination. The preparation of Laboratory Reports provides an additional opportunity to present data/calculations in an organised, professional manner.

Formative assessment and feedback is provided via the weekly supported tutorial work and through self-assessment exercises provided via SurreyLearn.  The students complete a set of worked solutions to a range of questions in the tutorial classes and are provided with tutor support in comment and feedback in the sessions. Further individualised feedback is provided via coursework submissions.

Module aims

• To develop an understanding of the elastic response of solid components to externally applied loads, including multi-axial stresses and strains
• To derive multi-axial stress-strain relationships and associated elastic constants
• To introduce relevant failure criteria under multi-axial loading
• To understand the basis of structural design and the principles of the limit state approach.
• To introduce load distribution and the identification of load paths in structures.
• To explain the use of partial safety factors in determining design loads and resistances
• To design simple members in steel under tension, compression and bending loads.
• To present the types of loading acting on structures and their variability

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide students with an introduction to the basis for structural design leading to topics in Structural Engineering at FHEQ Level 5, 6 and 7 on the MEng and BEng programmes in Civil Engineering.

Building on the foundation of uniaxial state concept introduced in ENG1063 of semester 1, this module provides further study to 2D and 3D stress state and equips students with basic tools to analyse statically determinate structures. These will be further expanded in Structural Analysis I and II in Level 5 and 6 respectively. The module also builds the foundation required for the application of design principles as part of the Integrated Design 1 (ENG1077), for example in identifying loads and load cases and in understanding internal forces in different structural forms (trusses, beams, frames, etc). The use of codes of practice in structural design is covered in this module for the first time in relation to simple steel elements; this is expanded further in the follow-on L5 module Structural Design 2 (ENG2102).

The module is delivered through a combination of captured content, which consists of presentation of theory and analysis/design methods; seminars, where the emphasis lies on the implementation of methods to problem-based tasks faced by practitioners; tutorials, where the range of possible tasks is explored through worked examples; and laboratories, where the students are exposed to the behaviour of simple structures through physical experiments.

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG1076

Other information

Surrey's Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas:

Resourcefulness & Resilience: Students develop the ability to respond to problem-based tasks and provide viable solutions to structural analysis and design problems.¿ They are encouraged to exercise and develop their engineering knowledge (from previous modules in Semester 1) and judgement to propose and evaluate solutions, identify and correct errors; and build confidence in tackling open ended questions related to structural design.

Digital Capabilities: Students will learn how to tabulate experimental data and utilise computational tools to analyse data and draw a conclusion on patterns and trends in the data. The learning and teaching diet is supported via the virtual learning environment (Surrey Learn). Students engagement is further encouraged by utilising online subject-specific discussion forums.

Sustainability: Students learn about material selection in terms of safety and sustainability criteria; moreover, the importance of environmental loads in structural design and the potential impact of climate changes in load magnitudes and load combinations is discussed.

Employability: The application of Codes of Practice (British Standards - Eurocodes) covered in this module provide a foundation for work in professional teams dealing with structural analysis and design. Professional skills also include presentation of technical calculations vis-à-vis code clauses and critical thinking in selecting types and sizes of structural elements.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.