KB5024 - Structural Design

The module will include a range of learning materials such as presentations, notes, seminar questions for you to answer, and other resources such as video links, spreadsheets and specific software-related files. All these resources will be arranged in a convenient learning journey, giving you a clear expectation of the material to be studied and tasks to be completed on a week-by-week basis. You will be expected to complete the appropriate tasks in your weekly journey before attending programmed sessions. You will take part in workshops where you will be introduced to new material and have the chance to apply it to design type problems, whilst also having opportunity to discuss the module material with your tutors and with other students and exercise creativity in developing design solutions. There may be occasions within the semester where normal teaching will be suspended to allow your learning to be supplemented by a range of activities such as design workshops, guest presentations, professional body events, site visits and field work.

Support will include feedback from tutors during seminars, lectures, and practical sessions to clarify and deepen your understanding of the module material. In addition, tutors will use the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to provide electronic versions of module material. The University’s VLE offers remote access to materials and aids for reinforcing your learning. All of these support mechanisms and learning and teaching approaches will help to you to prepare for the assessments and prepare you for further learning in the programme.

The module and the wider programme teams will provide a supportive approach, enabling you to quickly and easily access and speak to any member of the programme team, as required.The University Library and other student services also offer a variety of academic skills training both online and face to face, which you can access as needed.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Apply structural analysis and design principles to calculate design loads acting on structures, members and elements.
2. Explain and apply the principles of limit state design to design structural elements made of concrete, steel or timber.
3. Explain the behaviour and design of structural connections on structural elements.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Present design calculations and sketches in a clear and informative way and communicate effectively using the necessary detailing approaches


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Appraise the structural design against relevant criteria such as sustainability, CDM regulation, form & function, buildability, etc.

Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment will occur throughout the module, with informal assessment and review practices integrated into the structured seminar programme in order to assist your development and preparation for summative assessment. Informal feedback will be given during the seminars by your tutor.
Summative Assessment:
You will be assessed by two coursework tasks.
The first coursework will demonstrate your ability to calculate structural design loads, analyse structure and identify the various issues and constraints which will affect the final design solution. This will assess MLO 1 and will be worth 30% of the module.
At the end of the module, you will prepare a final design report on your final design including text, calculations, and drawings of your final solution together with a design risk and sustainability. This will assess MLOs 2, 3, 4 and 5, and will be worth 70% of the module.

However, the course works include both individual and group components, with the individual component accounting for at least 50% of the module's marks. This will require you to identify your individual contribution to your group’s task.

Formative assessment will be by means of regular meetings with academic staff during seminars, many of which will take the form of client meetings, roleplaying the design process in industry.

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This module aims to prepare you for employment as a structural engineer by developing your understanding and knowledge of reinforced concrete, steel and timber structures; and to develop your ability to design these structures to the appropriate - Standards, introducing the concept of global stability. ‘Real world’ examples are used to develop your creativity, and the skills and understanding required to produce safe, effective, economical and sustainable designs. Through the module, you will respond to a client brief to complete the design of a structure, acquiring key skills to support you in your future professional practice.You will have access to structural analysis software to practice and explore structural design problems in seminars, receiving feedback on your success from your module tutors. Assessment in this module is through ancoursework. Supportive individual feedback will be provided for each assessment which will identify areas of merit and offer guidance for future improvement