DURABILITY OF BRIDGES AND STRUCTURES - 2025/6

Module Overview

The module reviews the durability characteristics of the materials used in the construction of modern bridges and engineering structures but focuses on concrete and steel, and their combination as both reinforced and prestressed concrete. The relationship between material behaviour and environment is reviewed and the implications for those tasked with the operation of engineering structures in a changing world is discussed. The various methods for assessing the condition of a structure are explored and linked to the need for viable inspection, maintenance strategies. The course uses a number of case studies to allow the material presented to be placed within its engineering context. The lessons learnt are applied to the problem of the design and construction of new structures in light of the degradation process and external forces to which they may be subject.The module provides students with an opportunity to review and extend their understanding and integration of the key threads of Design, Health and Safety and Sustainability in relation to the whole life of an asset.

Module provider

Sustainability, Civil & Env Engineering

Module Leader

MULHERON Michael (Sust & CEE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

The module considers the durability performance of concrete and steel structures, and their combination as reinforced and prestressed concrete, although other common engineering materials are also discussed. The self-study learning material is divided into seven (7) main areas (study units). The core topics covered are:

• Overview of Durability - Why do materials deteriorate? The consequences of a Changing World. Whole Life costing. Maintenance strategies.


• The Durability of Concrete - What is concrete? Mechanisms responsible for deterioration. Mix design for durability.


• The Durability of Metals - Why do metals corrode? Electrochemical aspects of aqueous corrosion. Pourbaix diagrams. Rates of reaction. Forms of metallic corrosion.


• The Durability of Reinforced Concrete - Mechanisms of corrosion protection. Factors affecting corrosion of steel in concrete.


• Testing and Monitoring Structures - Quality of concrete. Potential for, and extent of, rebar corrosion. Cracks and defects in metallic structures.


• Assessment & Repair of Structures - The wait, maintain, repair or demolish decision. Invasive vs non-invasive repair techniques. Cementitious vs polymeric repair systems.


• The Design and Construction of Durable Structures - Design for durability in a world of increasing extremes. Materials selection. Use of coatings. Electrochemical methods of protection.

This core learning material is extended and supported by a number of case studies of failures of durability and their consequences. The module coursework involves a visual survey, and critical assessment of a local structure to which safe access can be obtained and so provides students with an opportunity to improve their understanding and practical application of hazard identification and risk aseesment and management. 

 

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

• Explain the main processes leading to the deterioration of metallic and cement-based construction materials and its consequences for components and structures built from them.


• Specify and undertake viable methods of inspection, testing and monitoring of structures while ensuring suitable Health and Safety standards are maintained. 


• Assess the need for repair of a structure and identify appropriate invasive and non-invasive repair techniques for degraded metallic, reinforced and prestressed concrete structures that are subject to particular exposure conditions. 


• Critically review existing structures and new designs to identify details likely to influence long-term durability in a changing world and propose modifications that will reduce the potential for deterioration (from natural and man-made causes), facilitate ease of maintenance and optimise maintenance costs.

The coursework in this modules consists of two parts. The first part is formative, and students will receive written feedback that will help them towards the second part which is summative (i.e. counts towards the module mark). 

The summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework: Case study Part 2: Assessment of a Structure. (Summative, 25%) Learning outcomes: 2,4, 5, and 6] 


• Examination [Learning outcomes: 1,3,and 4] (75%)

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative assessment, in the form of a comments and (appropriate) worked solutions, is provided during tutorials and seminars and via on-line discussions and during the exam revision sessions. The formative coursework Case Study Part 1. provides a vehicle for both written and verbal feedback prior to the summative assessment element.

Module aims

• To promote an understanding of the processes and external forces leading to the deterioration of construction materials and how they can (ultimately) lead to failure of engineering components and structures.
• To review the methods for testing, monitoring and assessing the condition of concrete and steel structures and the components from which they are constructed.
• To review available invasive and non-invasive repair methods and consider their relative merits when applied to degraded structures within specific exposures.
• To identify methods for the design, construction and operation of durable structures that take account of both the macro and micro environmental conditions and the impact of a changing world.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The teaching and learning mode is based on a self-study, self-paced, self-learning model. The students are provided with access to a set of structured study notes that contain the learning material, and associated self-check questions, tasks, self-assessment exercises and revision questions. In working through this material the student learning process is supported by a series of weekly keynote presentations and supporting seminars and tutorials. These introduce the main topics covered within each study unit and provide suitable signposts to the material contained within it and establish links to other topics within the module or in other modules. The presentations are recorded and made available, with other learning support materials, via SurreyLearn to enable individual students (full-time, part-time or distance learning) to review and reinforce their knowledge and understanding. The self-study material is further illustrated (and extended) by the inclusion of case studies of failures of durability and students are encouraged to consider the implications and applications of these for their own professional lives. The coursework element involves the identification, inspection and assessment of a local structure giving each individual the chance to explore the practical issues of safely accessing a structure. The learning process is further supported by the use of discussion forums using the SurreyLearn environment. This provides an environment within which peer-to-peer discussions and the exchange of ideas and knowledge can occur supported by appropriate tutor-monitoring and direction.

The module seeks to encourage students to develop an appropriate knowledge-base that they can apply to the main issues relating to the appropriate selection and use of construction materials within the context of the (whole-life) design and operation of durable civil engineering structures in a changing world.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• A set of detailed, self-paced, self-study notes (and references) which students use to develop, reinforce and deepen their knowledge of the subject and link to other modules in the programme.


• A series of keynote presentations that provide an overview of the main issues relating to the properties, uses and long-term performance of construction materials when applied to the design, construction and operation of durable infrastructure in a changing world.


• Seminar sessions and on-line discussion forums to support the development of ideas explored within the study material and keynote lectures and encourage both peer-to-peer learning and independent inquiry.


• A piece of coursework requiring students to undertake an individual case study of a structure and review its design and structural form in relation to the materials selection and long-term durability. This enables the development and the practical application of hazard identification and associated risk assessment and management skills.

 

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: ENGM033

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: 

Digital capabilities: Through the seminar discussions and self-study material students gain an understanding of how digital technology is changing asset inspection and assessment practice and the role of big data in relation to the management of cohorts and networks. Through coursework (UoA1) students are encouraged to use electronic systems to acquire publicly available information on their chosen structure. They are required to review the quality and quantity of the data they have acquired and judge whether they believe it to be trustworthy and relevant. This requires an understanding of, and the ability to distinguish between, different kinds of information e.g., academic, professional, personal, and political. 

Employability: Through the coursework (UoA1) students are required to plan and implement a visual inspection of a structure. Through this and the associated risk management process they enhance their employability through an improved understanding of the skills, behaviours and attitude required to be successful in the professional workplace. The coursework submission is in the form of a formal written report which is required to meet professional standards of presentation and layout, etc. 

Global and Cultural Capabilities: The module uses a series of failures of durability taken from around the world to illustrate the role of climate, geography and culture on materials’ selection, construction practice and the type and likely frequency of maintenance. As part of the coursework students are encouraged to select structures that are near to where they live providing an opportunity for each student to demonstrate their understanding of issues based on their local experience and culture.  

Sustainability: The module content builds on, and extends, students’ knowledge and understanding of how to engineer sustainable buildings and structures over the whole life of the asset. The need to balance environmental exposure, materials selection, and detailed design to ensure adequate durability over time are explored in detail. Through the coursework (UoA1) students can explore the factors that may impact on the long-term durability and associated sustainability of a structure and consider the implications of their findings for their career as a professional (Chartered) engineer. The self-study notes and associated tasks enable students to appreciate how knowledge drawn from an interdisciplinary understanding of deterioration processes can be used to understand the likely sustainability of an asset over its whole life.  

Resourcefulness and Resilience: Through both face-to-face seminars and (mediated) on-line discussions students are encouraged to work together to create supportive networks that reflect the collaborative nature they will encounter when working on Civil Engineering projects as a professional engineer. The coursework provides the opportunity for students to undertake real-world problem-based tasks (a visual inspection of a local structure) and so strengthen their ability to address challenges constructively. 

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.