Undergraduate Teaching 2024-25

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Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3D3: Structural Materials & Design, 2023-24

Module Leader

Dr J Orr

Lecturers

Dr J Orr, Dr J Becque

Lab Leader

Dr J Orr

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas Term. 16 Lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • Provide a general understanding of the relationship between the properties of common structural materials, and the principles and approaches underpinning their use in structural design
  • Provide a bridge between the fundamental general engineering understanding of structures and materials developed in Part I and the applied specialist modules of Part II
  • Provide knowledge and knowhow enabling structural designers to improve our use of energy and material in the design of the built environment while providing safe, useful structures for people to use

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • [1] Use the lower-bound theory of plasticity to perform load-path design of structural arrangements and to appreciate the benefits and limitations of the approach
  • [2] Consider the influence of risk, and variability of loading and material properties, in structural design and calculation
  • [3] Explain the environmental impacts of structural material and design choices
  • [4] Understand and carry out early-stage structural design with various structural materials
  • [4.1] Identify the theoretical and practical considerations governing structural design in various materials and explain how these may be accommodated in design
  • [4.2] Make reasonable conceptual design decisions regarding appropriate structural form, initial layout and initial member sizing for simple structures in various materials;
  • [4.3] Perform preliminary technical design calculations for simple structures in various materials
  • [4.4] Determine what design approaches may be appropriate, and what calculations necessary, for more complex structures in various materials

Content

The implications of the general principles of structural mechanics – equilibrium, compatibility, constitutive laws, and stability – are investigated for different materials. This leads to discussion of typical structural forms in the various materials, the reasons for adopting them, and appropriate methods of construction. The significant types of structural behaviour, and therefore the most useful methods of analysis and calculation, are investigated for the different material types. Our basic aim is to establish means of making reasonable preliminary decisions about structural form, layout and initial sizing of structural members made from a range of common construction materials.

Design methodologies will be developed, and design of typical elements will be discussed, for:

  • materials of low tensile but high compressive strength, such as masonry and glass;
  • composite materials of low tensile strength combined with a ductile tensile material, such as reinforced concrete;
  • high-strength, ductile materials such as steel and aluminium alloys;
  • moderate-  to high-strength, anisotropic, brittle materials such as engineered timber.

The critical modes of failure of structures made from these materials tend to differ, as do other considerations such as environmental impacts, so design approaches will be correspondingly different.

Weeks 1-2 provide an introduction to a number of important considerations and approaches in structural design across materials, such as: loadpaths and the lowerbound theorem; limit state design and variability; resource efficiency and sustainability

Weeks 3-8 apply these considerations and approaches to design with various structural materials including: masonry; glass; reinforced concrete; steel and timber.

 

Coursework

Concrete Lab

Learning objectives: 

To be able to:

1.Describe the common ingredients of concrete and their properties;
2.Design a concrete mix to satisfy certain technical requirements and cast a trial cube;
3.Supervise the casting of reinforced concrete beams and various plain concrete specimens for subsequent testing;
4.Observe and record results of destructive testing and identify different failure modes in concrete;
5.Compare empirical results with theoretical predictions based on as built-data, and evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of the theory.

Practical information:

Details will be available on the course Moodle page early in the term.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 30/05/2023 15:20

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3D3: Structural Materials & Design, 2019-20

Module Leader

Dr R Foster

Lecturers

Dr R Foster, Prof A Lawrence, Prof F A McRobie

Lab Leader

Dr C Morley

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas Term. 16 Lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • cover the basic principles of practical design of typical engineering structures, with applications across a range of commonly-used structural materials.
  • establish links between the theory of structures, taught in the Part I courses IA Structural Mechanics and IB Structures, and the properties of materials as covered in courses on Materials and Engineering Applications.
  • study what differing approaches to design are appropriate for structures in different materials.
  • develop a design methodology that provides a firm basis for the structures courses taught in Part IIA and for the more advanced courses in the fourth year.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • have developed a good understanding of the structural forms appropriate in the various materials.
  • be aware of the likely critical factors (requirements, properties, behaviour) for design in the different materials.
  • be able to make sensible initial layout and sizing choices for simple structures in the various materials.
  • be able to carry out design calculations for basic structural elements in the various materials.
  • be aware of what design approaches will be appropriate, and what calculations necessary, for more complex structures in the various materials.
  • appreciate the influence of risk, and variability of loading and material properties, on structural design and calculations.

Content

The implications of the general principles of structural mechanics – equilibrium, compatibility, constitutive laws, and stability – are investigated for different materials.  This leads to discussion of typical structural forms in the various materials, the reasons for adopting them, and appropriate methods of construction.   The significant types of structural behaviour, and therefore the most useful methods of analysis and calculation, are investigated for the different material types.   A basic aim is to establish means of making reasonable preliminary decisions about structural form and layout, and initial sizing of members, before detailed calculation need begin.

Design methodologies will be developed, and design of typical elements will be discussed, for the following materials:

  • high-strength, ductile materials such as steel and aluminium alloys
  • moderate-  to high-strength, anisotropic, brittle materials such as advanced composites and timber
  • materials of low tensile but high compressive strength, such as concrete and masonry
  • reinforced concrete where concrete is combined with a ductile tensile material
  • brittle materials, such as glass

The critical modes of failure of structures made from these materials tend to differ – for example, global and local instability play a very significant role in thin-walled structures of high-strength materials, while shear-induced delamination is a major concern only in wood and composites. So design approaches will be correspondingly different.

Overview and principles (5L)

  • Introduction to the course and overview of structural materials and implications of material properties for structural design
  • Load paths and the application (and limitations) of the lowerbound theory in structural design
  • Limit state design and consideration of material variability in achieving appropriate levels of reliability
  • Resource efficiency and sustainability in structural design
  • Form, forces and masonry - "I like an arch"

Ductile Metals (primarily steel) (3L)

Timber (3L)

Fibre Composites (1L)

Concrete and reinforced concrete (3L)

  • Concrete and reinforced concrete
  • Ultimate design for flexure, shear and compression
  • Serviceability design and detailing

Glass (1L)

Coursework

Concrete Lab

Learning objectives: 

  • To be familiar with the common ingedients of concrete and their properties;
  • To be able to design a concrete mix to satisfy certain technical requirements and cast a trial cube;
  • To have first-hand experience of casting reinforced concrete beams and various plain concrete specimens for subsequent testing
  • To be able to observe and record results of destructive testing and identify different failure modes in concrete
  • To be able to compare empirical results with theoretical predictions based on as built-data, and to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of the theory

Practical information:

  • Sessions will take place in the Concrete Lab, Trumpington Street site, during weeks [1-8].
  • This activity does not involve preliminary work.
  • A sign-up sheet will be posted on the Inglis Mezzanine noticeboard.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references for this module.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 02/10/2019 15:02

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3D3: Structural Materials & Design, 2018-19

Module Leader

Dr M Overend

Lecturers

Dr M Overend and Prof F A McRobie

Lab Leader

Dr C Morley

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas Term. 16 Lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • cover the basic principles of practical design of typical engineering structures, with applications across a range of commonly-used structural materials.
  • establish links between the theory of structures, taught in the Part I courses IA Structural Mechanics and IB Structures, and the properties of materials as covered in courses on Materials and Engineering Applications.
  • study what differing approaches to design are appropriate for structures in different materials.
  • develop a design methodology that provides a firm basis for the structures courses taught in Part IIA and for the more advanced courses in the fourth year.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • have developed a good understanding of the structural forms appropriate in the various materials.
  • be aware of the likely critical factors (requirements, properties, behaviour) for design in the different materials.
  • be able to make sensible initial layout and sizing choices for simple structures in the various materials.
  • be able to carry out design calculations for basic structural elements in the various materials.
  • be aware of what design approaches will be appropriate, and what calculations necessary, for more complex structures in the various materials.
  • appreciate the influence of risk, and variability of loading and material properties, on structural design and calculations.

Content

The implications of the general principles of structural mechanics – equilibrium, compatibility, constitutive laws, and stability – are investigated for different materials.  This leads to discussion of typical structural forms in the various materials, the reasons for adopting them, and appropriate methods of construction.   The significant types of structural behaviour, and therefore the most useful methods of analysis and calculation, are investigated for the different material types.   A basic aim is to establish means of making reasonable preliminary decisions about structural form and layout, and initial sizing of members, before detailed calculation need begin.

Design methodologies will be developed, and design of typical elements will be discussed, for the following materials:

  • high-strength, ductile materials such as steel and aluminium alloys
  • moderately-high-strength, anisotropic, brittle materials such as advanced composites and timber
  • materials of low tensile but high compressive strength, such as concrete and masonry
  • reinforced concrete where concrete is combined with a ductile tensile material
  • brittle materials, such as glass

The critical modes of failure of structures made from these materials tend to differ – for example, global and local instability play a very significant role in thin-walled structures of high-strength materials, while shear-induced delamination is a major concern only in wood and composites.   So design approaches will be correspondingly different.

Overview and General Principles (5L)

  • evolution of structural form, with case studies.   Influence of available construction techniques.   Bridge forms and materials economic in certain span ranges.
  • requirements of a successful structure (considering collapse, buckling, deflection, cracking, imposed deformation, fatigue, fire, accident, corrosion etc, as well as construction method, cost and sustainability)
  • relevant material properties (modulus, anisotropy, strength, toughness, cost, fabrication possibilities, energy content)
  • risk, variability, and limit state design (brief introduction)
  • Span-to-depth ratio and design.
  • ‘load path’ approaches to simplified design, and the ‘lower bound’ theorem as a design tool, with limitations.

Design approaches for different materials

(in most cases, highlighting the important aspects of behaviour, covering the initial design of typical elements such as beams, columns and joints, and studying forms for complete structures).

Ductile Metals (primarily steel) (3L)

Masonry (mention) and Reinforced Concrete (3L)

Timber and Advanced Composites (3L)

Glass (2L)

Coursework

[Coursework Title]

Learning objectives: 

  •  
  •  
  •  

Practical information:

  • Sessions will take place in [Location], during week(s) [xxx].
  • This activity [involves/doesn't involve] preliminary work ([estimated duration]).
  •  

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references for this module.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 13/09/2018 14:40

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3D3: Structural Materials & Design, 2024-25

Module Leader

Dr R Foster

Lecturers

Dr R Foster, Dr J Becque, Prof A Lawrence

Lab Leader

Dr R Foster

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas Term. 16 Lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • Provide a general understanding of the relationship between the properties of common structural materials, and the principles and approaches underpinning their use in structural design
  • Provide a bridge between the fundamental general engineering understanding of structures and materials developed in Part I and the applied specialist modules of Part II
  • Provide knowledge and knowhow enabling structural designers to improve our use of energy and material in the design of the built environment while providing safe, useful structures for people to use

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • [1] Use the lower-bound theory of plasticity to perform load-path design of structural arrangements and to appreciate the benefits and limitations of the approach
  • [2] Consider the influence of risk, and variability of loading and material properties, in structural design and calculation
  • [3] Explain the environmental impacts of structural material and design choices
  • [4] Understand and carry out early-stage structural design with various structural materials
  • [4.1] Identify the theoretical and practical considerations governing structural design in various materials and explain how these may be accommodated in design
  • [4.2] Make reasonable conceptual design decisions regarding appropriate structural form, initial layout and initial member sizing for simple structures in various materials;
  • [4.3] Perform preliminary technical design calculations for simple structures in various materials
  • [4.4] Determine what design approaches may be appropriate, and what calculations necessary, for more complex structures in various materials

Content

The implications of the general principles of structural mechanics – equilibrium, compatibility, constitutive laws, and stability – are investigated for different materials. This leads to discussion of typical structural forms in the various materials, the reasons for adopting them, and appropriate methods of construction. The significant types of structural behaviour, and therefore the most useful methods of analysis and calculation, are investigated for the different material types. Our basic aim is to establish means of making reasonable preliminary decisions about structural form, layout and initial sizing of structural members made from a range of common construction materials.

Design methodologies will be developed, and design of typical elements will be discussed, for:

  • materials of low tensile but high compressive strength, such as masonry and glass;
  • composite materials of low tensile strength combined with a ductile tensile material, such as reinforced concrete;
  • high-strength, ductile materials such as steel and aluminium alloys;
  • moderate-  to high-strength, anisotropic, brittle materials such as engineered timber.

The critical modes of failure of structures made from these materials tend to differ, as do other considerations such as environmental impacts, so design approaches will be correspondingly different.

Weeks 1-2 provide an introduction to a number of important considerations and approaches in structural design across materials, such as: loadpaths and the lowerbound theorem; limit state design and variability; resource efficiency and sustainability

Weeks 3-8 apply these considerations and approaches to design with various structural materials including: masonry; glass; reinforced concrete; steel and timber.

 

Coursework

Concrete Lab

Learning objectives: 

To be able to:

1.Describe the common ingredients of concrete and their properties;
2.Design a concrete mix to satisfy certain technical requirements and cast a trial cube;
3.Supervise the casting of reinforced concrete beams and various plain concrete specimens for subsequent testing;
4.Observe and record results of destructive testing and identify different failure modes in concrete;
5.Compare empirical results with theoretical predictions based on as built-data, and evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of the theory.

Practical information:

Details will be available on the course Moodle page early in the term.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 31/05/2024 07:29

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3D3: Structural Materials & Design, 2022-23

Module Leader

Dr R Foster

Lecturers

Dr R Foster, Dr J Becque

Lab Leader

Dr R Foster

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas Term. 16 Lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • Provide a general understanding of the relationship between the properties of common structural materials, and the principles and approaches underpinning their use in structural design
  • Provide a bridge between the fundamental general engineering understanding of structures and materials developed in Part I and the applied specialist modules of Part II
  • Provide knowledge and knowhow enabling structural designers to improve our use of energy and material in the design of the built environment while providing safe, useful structures for people to use

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • [1] Use the lower-bound theory of plasticity to perform load-path design of structural arrangements and to appreciate the benefits and limitations of the approach
  • [2] Consider the influence of risk, and variability of loading and material properties, in structural design and calculation
  • [3] Explain the environmental impacts of structural material and design choices
  • [4] Understand and carry out early-stage structural design with various structural materials
  • [4.1] Identify the theoretical and practical considerations governing structural design in various materials and explain how these may be accommodated in design
  • [4.2] Make reasonable conceptual design decisions regarding appropriate structural form, initial layout and initial member sizing for simple structures in various materials;
  • [4.3] Perform preliminary technical design calculations for simple structures in various materials
  • [4.4] Determine what design approaches may be appropriate, and what calculations necessary, for more complex structures in various materials

Content

The implications of the general principles of structural mechanics – equilibrium, compatibility, constitutive laws, and stability – are investigated for different materials. This leads to discussion of typical structural forms in the various materials, the reasons for adopting them, and appropriate methods of construction. The significant types of structural behaviour, and therefore the most useful methods of analysis and calculation, are investigated for the different material types. Our basic aim is to establish means of making reasonable preliminary decisions about structural form, layout and initial sizing of structural members made from a range of common construction materials.

Design methodologies will be developed, and design of typical elements will be discussed, for:

  • materials of low tensile but high compressive strength, such as masonry and glass;
  • composite materials of low tensile strength combined with a ductile tensile material, such as reinforced concrete;
  • high-strength, ductile materials such as steel and aluminium alloys;
  • moderate-  to high-strength, anisotropic, brittle materials such as engineered timber.

The critical modes of failure of structures made from these materials tend to differ, as do other considerations such as environmental impacts, so design approaches will be correspondingly different.

Weeks 1-2 provide an introduction to a number of important considerations and approaches in structural design across materials, such as: loadpaths and the lowerbound theorem; limit state design and variability; resource efficiency and sustainability

Weeks 3-8 apply these considerations and approaches to design with various structural materials including: masonry; glass; reinforced concrete; steel and timber.

 

Coursework

Concrete Lab

Learning objectives: 

To be able to:

1.Describe the common ingredients of concrete and their properties;
2.Design a concrete mix to satisfy certain technical requirements and cast a trial cube;
3.Supervise the casting of reinforced concrete beams and various plain concrete specimens for subsequent testing;
4.Observe and record results of destructive testing and identify different failure modes in concrete;
5.Compare empirical results with theoretical predictions based on as built-data, and evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of the theory.

Practical information:

Details will be available on the course Moodle page early in the term.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 24/05/2022 15:53

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3D3: Structural Materials & Design, 2021-22

Module Leader

Dr R Foster

Lecturers

Dr R Foster, Prof A Lawrence, Dr J Becque

Lab Leader

Dr R Foster

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas Term. 16 Lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • Provide a general understanding of the relationship between the properties of common structural materials, and the principles and approaches underpinning their use in structural design
  • Provide a bridge between the fundamental general engineering understanding of structures and materials developed in Part I and the applied specialist modules of Part II
  • Provide knowledge and knowhow enabling structural designers to improve our use of energy and material in the design of the built environment while providing safe, useful structures for people to use

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • [1] Use the lower-bound theory of plasticity to perform load-path design of structural arrangements and to appreciate the benefits and limitations of the approach
  • [2] Consider the influence of risk, and variability of loading and material properties, in structural design and calculation
  • [3] Explain the environmental impacts of structural material and design choices
  • [4] Understand and carry out early-stage structural design with various structural materials
  • [4.1] Identify the theoretical and practical considerations governing structural design in various materials and explain how these may be accommodated in design
  • [4.2] Make reasonable conceptual design decisions regarding appropriate structural form, initial layout and initial member sizing for simple structures in various materials;
  • [4.3] Perform preliminary technical design calculations for simple structures in various materials
  • [4.4] Determine what design approaches may be appropriate, and what calculations necessary, for more complex structures in various materials

Content

The course this year will be 'blended', meaning that a mix of in-person, online live (Teams) and online recorded (Moodle) components will be used. We plan to deliver some of our lectures in-person in the department (although these will also be recorded and subsequently uploaded to Moodle). We plan to deliver others remotely through a combination of recorded lectures and 'live' Q&As. Recorded lectures have been updated for this year and benefit from the many lessons we learned during 2020. Full details are available on the course Moodle page.

The implications of the general principles of structural mechanics – equilibrium, compatibility, constitutive laws, and stability – are investigated for different materials.  This leads to discussion of typical structural forms in the various materials, the reasons for adopting them, and appropriate methods of construction. The significant types of structural behaviour, and therefore the most useful methods of analysis and calculation, are investigated for the different material types. Our basic aim is to establish means of making reasonable preliminary decisions about structural form, layout and initial sizing of structural members made from a range of common construction materials.

Design methodologies will be developed, and design of typical elements will be discussed, for:

  • materials of low tensile but high compressive strength, such as masonry and glass;
  • composite materials of low tensile strength combined with a ductile tensile material, such as reinforced concrete;
  • high-strength, ductile materials such as steel and aluminium alloys;
  • moderate-  to high-strength, anisotropic, brittle materials such as engineered timber.

The critical modes of failure of structures made from these materials tend to differ, as do other considerations such as environmental impacts, so design approaches will be correspondingly different.

Lecture timetable

  Lecture Date Timeslot- Lecturer- Format and location
Week 1  1. Introduction and overview Thu 7th Oct 1100-1200 Dr Foster Recorded lecture (Moodle)
  2. Load paths and lower bounds Mon 11th Oct 0900-1000 Dr Foster Recorded lecture (Moodle) + 0940-0955 live Q&A (Teams)
           
Week 2 3. Limit states and variability Thu 14th Oct 1100-1200 Dr Foster Recorded lecture (Moodle)
  4. Resource efficiency | sustainability Mon 18th Oct 0900-1000 Dr Foster Recorded lecture (Moodle) + 0940-0955 live Q&A (Teams)
           
Week 3 5. Timber design 1 Thu 21st Oct 1100-1200 Prof Lawrence In-person lecture (LR2)
  6. Timber design 2 Mon 25th Oct 0900-1000 Prof Lawrence In-person lecture (LR2)
           
Week 4 7. Timber design 3 Thu 28th Oct 1100-1200 Prof Lawrence In-person lecture (LR2)
  8. Masonry design Mon 1st Nov 0900-1000 Dr Foster Recorded lecture (Moodle)
           
Week 5 9. Glass design 1 Thu 4th Nov 1100-1200 Dr Foster Recorded lecture (Moodle)
  10. Glass design 2 Mon 8th Nov 0900-1000 Dr Foster  Recorded lecture (Moodle) + 0940-0955 live Q&A (Teams)
           
Week 6 11. Concrete design 1 Thu 11th Nov 1100-1200 Dr Foster Recorded lecture (Moodle)
  12. Concrete design 2 Mon 15th Nov 0900-1000 Dr Foster Recorded lecture (Moodle) + 0940-0955 live Q&A (Teams)
           
Week 7 13. Steel design 1 Thu 18th Nov 1100-1200 Dr Becque In-person lecture (LR2)
  14. Steel design 2 Mon 22nd Nov 0900-1000 Dr Becque In-person lecture (LR2)
           
Week 8 15. Steel design 3 Thu 25th Nov 1100-1200 Dr Becque In-person lecture (LR2)
  16. Conclusions Mon 29th Nov 0900-1000 Dr Foster Recorded lecture (Moodle) + 0940-0955 live Q&A (Teams)

 

Coursework

Concrete Lab

This lab will run in 'blended' form for 2021, with the morning session remote and the afternoon session in-person. Feedback from our first experience of running the lab in this way in 2020 was overwhelmingly positive, so we have changed very little this year. We retain the capability to run the afternoon session fully remotely, but we are hopeful that this will not be needed this year.

Learning objectives: 

To be able to:

1.Describe the common ingredients of concrete and their properties;
2.Design a concrete mix to satisfy certain technical requirements and cast a trial cube;
3.Supervise the casting of reinforced concrete beams and various plain concrete specimens for subsequent testing;
4.Observe and record results of destructive testing and identify different failure modes in concrete;
5.Compare empirical results with theoretical predictions based on as built-data, and evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of the theory.

Practical information:

Details will be available on the course Moodle page early in the term.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 01/10/2021 03:45

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3D3: Structural Materials & Design, 2017-18

Module Leader

Dr M Overend

Lecturers

Dr M Overend and Mr F A McRobie

Lab Leader

Dr C Morley

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas Term. 16 Lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • cover the basic principles of practical design of typical engineering structures, with applications across a range of commonly-used structural materials.
  • establish links between the theory of structures, taught in the Part I courses IA Structural Mechanics and IB Structures, and the properties of materials as covered in courses on Materials and Engineering Applications.
  • study what differing approaches to design are appropriate for structures in different materials.
  • develop a design methodology that provides a firm basis for the structures courses taught in Part IIA and for the more advanced courses in the fourth year.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • have developed a good understanding of the structural forms appropriate in the various materials.
  • be aware of the likely critical factors (requirements, properties, behaviour) for design in the different materials.
  • be able to make sensible initial layout and sizing choices for simple structures in the various materials.
  • be able to carry out design calculations for basic structural elements in the various materials.
  • be aware of what design approaches will be appropriate, and what calculations necessary, for more complex structures in the various materials.
  • appreciate the influence of risk, and variability of loading and material properties, on structural design and calculations.

Content

The implications of the general principles of structural mechanics – equilibrium, compatibility, constitutive laws, and stability – are investigated for different materials.  This leads to discussion of typical structural forms in the various materials, the reasons for adopting them, and appropriate methods of construction.   The significant types of structural behaviour, and therefore the most useful methods of analysis and calculation, are investigated for the different material types.   A basic aim is to establish means of making reasonable preliminary decisions about structural form and layout, and initial sizing of members, before detailed calculation need begin.

Design methodologies will be developed, and design of typical elements will be discussed, for the following materials:

  • high-strength, ductile materials such as steel and aluminium alloys
  • moderately-high-strength, anisotropic, brittle materials such as advanced composites and timber
  • materials of low tensile but high compressive strength, such as concrete and masonry
  • reinforced concrete where concrete is combined with a ductile tensile material
  • brittle materials, such as glass

The critical modes of failure of structures made from these materials tend to differ – for example, global and local instability play a very significant role in thin-walled structures of high-strength materials, while shear-induced delamination is a major concern only in wood and composites.   So design approaches will be correspondingly different.

Overview and General Principles (5L)

  • evolution of structural form, with case studies.   Influence of available construction techniques.   Bridge forms and materials economic in certain span ranges.
  • requirements of a successful structure (considering collapse, buckling, deflection, cracking, imposed deformation, fatigue, fire, accident, corrosion etc, as well as construction method, cost and sustainability)
  • relevant material properties (modulus, anisotropy, strength, toughness, cost, fabrication possibilities, energy content)
  • risk, variability, and limit state design (brief introduction)
  • Span-to-depth ratio and design.
  • ‘load path’ approaches to simplified design, and the ‘lower bound’ theorem as a design tool, with limitations.

Design approaches for different materials

(in most cases, highlighting the important aspects of behaviour, covering the initial design of typical elements such as beams, columns and joints, and studying forms for complete structures).

Ductile Metals (primarily steel) (3L)

Masonry (mention) and Reinforced Concrete (3L)

Timber and Advanced Composites (3L)

Glass (2L)

Coursework

[Coursework Title]

Learning objectives: 

  •  
  •  
  •  

Practical information:

  • Sessions will take place in [Location], during week(s) [xxx].
  • This activity [involves/doesn't involve] preliminary work ([estimated duration]).
  •  

Full Technical Report:

Students [will/won't] have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references for this module.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

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Last modified: 03/08/2017 15:31

Engineering Tripos Part IIA, 3D3: Structural Materials & Design, 2020-21

Module Leader

Dr R Foster

Lecturers

Dr R Foster, Prof A Lawrence, Dr J Becque

Lab Leader

Dr R Foster

Timing and Structure

Michaelmas Term. 16 Lectures.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • cover the basic principles of practical design of typical engineering structures, with applications across a range of commonly-used structural materials.
  • establish links between the theory of structures, taught in the Part I courses IA Structural Mechanics and IB Structures, and the properties of materials as covered in courses on Materials and Engineering Applications.
  • study what differing approaches to design are appropriate for structures in different materials.
  • develop a design methodology that provides a firm basis for the structures courses taught in Part IIA and for the more advanced courses in the fourth year.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • choose structural forms appropriate to different materials
  • identify factors (requirements, properties, behaviour) governing structural design in various materials
  • make reasonable initial layout and sizing choices for simple structures in various materials
  • carry out design calculations for basic structural elements in various materials
  • determine what design approaches will be appropriate, and what calculations necessary, for more complex structures in various materials.
  • consider the influence of risk, and variability of loading and material properties, in structural design and calculation
  • consider the environmental impacts of structural material and design choices

Content

The implications of the general principles of structural mechanics – equilibrium, compatibility, constitutive laws, and stability – are investigated for different materials.  This leads to discussion of typical structural forms in the various materials, the reasons for adopting them, and appropriate methods of construction. The significant types of structural behaviour, and therefore the most useful methods of analysis and calculation, are investigated for the different material types. Our basic aim is to establish means of making reasonable preliminary decisions about structural form, layout and initial sizing of structural members made from a range of common construction materials.

Design methodologies will be developed, and design of typical elements will be discussed, for:

  • materials of low tensile but high compressive strength, such as masonry and glass;
  • composite materials of low tensile strength combined with a ductile tensile material, such as reinforced concrete;
  • high-strength, ductile materials such as steel and aluminium alloys;
  • moderate-  to high-strength, anisotropic, brittle materials such as engineered timber.

The critical modes of failure of structures made from these materials tend to differ, as do other considerations such as environmental impacts, so design approaches will be correspondingly different.

Overview and principles (4 Lecture equivalent)

  • Introduction to the course and overview of structural materials and implications of material properties for structural design
  • Load paths and the application (and limitations) of the lowerbound theory in structural design
  • Limit state design and consideration of material variability in achieving appropriate levels of reliability
  • Resource efficiency and sustainability in structural design

Masonry (1 Lecture equivalent)

Concrete and reinforced concrete (2 Lecture equivalent)

Glass (2 Lecture equivalent)

Ductile Metals (3 Lecture eqivalent)

Timber (3 Lecture equivalent)

Conclusions (1 Lecture equivalent)

Coursework

Concrete Lab

Learning objectives: 

To be able to:

1.Describe the common ingredients of concrete and their properties;
2.Design a concrete mix to satisfy certain technical requirements and cast a trial cube;
3.Supervise the casting of reinforced concrete beams and various plain concrete specimens for subsequent testing;
4.Observe and record results of destructive testing and identify different failure modes in concrete;
5.Compare empirical results with theoretical predictions based on as built-data, and evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of the theory.

Practical information:

Details will be available on the course Moodle page early in the term.

Full Technical Report:

Students will have the option to submit a Full Technical Report.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIA Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 05/10/2020 02:57

Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4M9: Surveying Field Course, 2017-18

Module Leader

Mr A L Johnson

Timing and Structure

Long Vacation between Part IIA and Part IIB. 2 - 15 July 2017 for 2017/18. and 1 - 14 July for 2018/19 -Assessment: 100% coursework

Prerequisites

Surveying experience, e.g. from IIA Engineering Area Activity or Fieldwork project.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • give students experience in surveying to a high accuracy, on a larger scale (and at greater altitude) than is possible near Cambridge.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • plan the work for a complex setting-out exercise.
  • know how to use high-accuracy and long-range surveying equipment.
  • understand the role of GNSS in modern survey.
  • know the calculation methods needed for the reduction of three-dimensional survey data.
  • have experience in leading a survey team, and the planning of logistics.
  • understand the effects of small errors in measurement, and how to minimise their effects.
  • understand the need for long-term record keeping, and the information to be recorded.

Content

This module gives students experience in surveying to a high accuracy, on a larger scale than is possible near Cambridge. The exercise includes three-dimensional position-fixing and setting-out in a hilly location, and involves the use of first-order surveying instruments and precise computation.

Throughout the course, short lectures will be given as necessary to explain the theory needed for the practical work in hand. Topics covered include: geoids, ellipsoids, projections and grids; the theory and practice of GNSS, including the verification of Geoid models; reduction of angles and distances; least-squares adjustment.

The course has a capacity of 16. If over-subscribed, a ballot will be held in May, but with preference given to Civil Engineering students.

Coursework

The Course runs continuously over a two week period, and includes the following:

  • Exercise planning and siting of control stations;
  • Fixing of control stations using GNSS;
  • High-accuracy traversing and resectioning;
  • Fixing of heights by precise digital levelling and trigonometric heighting;
  • Long-range distance measurement;
  • Three-dimensional setting out;
  • Adjustment, computation and record keeping.

The output of this course will be a set of numerical calculations leading to the setting-out of one or more points in the field. Since incorrect answers will be systematically eliminated from this result, assessment will be based on the course demonstrators' estimation of each student's ability to:

  • Take accurate readings efficiently with the equipment provided;
  • Make a neat and decipherable record of other students' readings;
  • Produce accurate and well laid-out calculations;
  • Check the calculations of others;
  • Plan and manage the activities of the team;
  • Generally contribute to the efficiency and productivity of the team.

Booklists

References for this module.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

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Last modified: 24/08/2017 15:52

Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4E12: Project Management, 2020-21

Module Leader

Dr N Oraiopoulos

Lecturer

Dr N Oraiopoulos

Timing and Structure

Lent term. Eight 2-hour sessions + coursework. Assessment: 100% coursework (please see details below)

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • introduce the principal elements of project management; equipping students with the basic skills to enable them to manage a project and to operate effectively as part of a project team.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • use a set of tools and frameworks that enable effective project planning and execution.
  • understand the need for appropriate governance structures and control systems in the delivery of project objectives.
  • run a small scale project and to be an effective member of any project team.

Content

Session 1: Introduction to Project Management

  • Wide applicability of Project Management (PM)
  • Reasons why project fail
  • History of PM: Roots of change
  • Critical Path Method (CPM): Dragonfly Case - part 1

Session 2: Project Planning and Control

  • Beyond the CPM; the PERT method
  • EVA/ABC
  • Design Structure Matrix
  • Monte Carlo Simulation and Limitations
  • Dragonfly Case - part II

Session 3: Ambiguity in Large Innovative Projects

 

  • Flying Car Case
  • Managing Residual Uncertainty
  • Strategies for Managing Ambiguity

Session 4: Project Risk Management

  • Intro to PM Risk Management
  • Review of decision trees
  • Real Options

Session 5: Managing Project Teams

  • In-class exercise
  • Heavyweight vs lightweight project managers
  • Functional vs. project-based organizations

Session 7: Portfolio Management

  • Scoring tables and financial indices: value and limitations
  • Risk return matrices and visual tools
  • The need for diversification in high risk projects

Session 8: Project Management Contracts

  • Fixed fee/Time and Materials/Performance-based contracts
  • Comparison and applicability of each contract type
  • Risk-sharing through optimal contract design
  • Barganining power and negotiations

Coursework

In-class individual case discussion contributions (5%), Group case write-up (30%), Coursework work individual (65%).

Coursework Format

Due date

& marks

Coursework activity #1:  Project Management Case Study

Coursework 1 brief description

You will be given a case and asked to analyse the risk management framework that the managers use to ensure a smooth transition of the IT operations. 

Learning objective:

  • Assess the Risk Management Framework and implementation in a large scale IT project
  • Develop contingency plans and mitigation techniques 
  • Develop recommendations to extend the existing framework 

 

Group Report 

anonymously marked

 

Beginning of Lecture 4

 

[Coursework activity #2 Project Prioritization and Analysis / Final]

Coursework 2 brief description

You will be given a case study and asked to analyse the risk profiles of different projects portfolios. You will have to make a recommendation regarding what projects should the company select and defend your recommendation with both quantitative and qualitative arguments. 

Learning objective:

  • Understand the complexity of project portfolio selection processes 
  • Analyze the organizational dynamics that affect project execution in project teams
  • Analyze how collaborative agreements and contracts can affect project performance 

Individual Report

anonymously marked

  Beginning of Easter Term

 

 

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIB Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

 
Last modified: 16/02/2021 06:35

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