CIVL8028: Digital Structural Engineering

Title: Digital Structural Engineering APPROVED

Long Title: Digital Structural Engineering

Module Code: CIVL8028

Credits: 5

NFQ Level: Advanced

Field of Study: Civil Engineering

Valid From: Semester 1 - 2018/19 ( September 2018 )

Module Delivered 1 programme(s)

in

Module DES WALSH

Coordinator:

Module Author: TED MC KENNA

Module In the discipline of Structural Engineering, there is an ever increasing advancement in

Description: modelling and data management capabilities. Consequently, it is now more important than
ever that Structural Engineers are capable of developing and evaluating computer aided
design. The learner will develop digital models which will allow for appropriate analysis and
design to be completed on structural elements and systems. The learner will identify and
apply appropriate knowledge of qualitative structural analysis and measured approximation
in design to evaluate the accuracy of computer aided analysis and design outcomes. In
addition, the learner will use current methodologies and technologies in the management of
information throughout the life cycle of a project.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
LO1 Develop a 3D model to represent the structural engineering design and specification of a
building or an element of infrastructure.
LO2 Transfer 3D models between specialist structural modelling, analysis and design software.
LO3 Analyse and design the structural system for a building or element of infrastructure using
discipline specific structural engineering software.
LO4 Identify and apply appropriate methods to evaluate the accuracy of the computer aided analysis
and design.
LO5 Produce a software data file to define and classify all information relevant to structural
engineering aspects of a project.

Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module.
You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have
considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior
learning is expressed as named CIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules)
which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
2441 CIVL6005 Engineering Mechanics 1
9412 CIVL7033 Structures and Design
9481 CIVL6006 Engineering Mechanics 2
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this
module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this
module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed

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Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You
may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
Co-requisites
No Co Requisites listed

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 CIVL8028: Digital Structural Engineering

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Introduction
Overview of current and emerging processes and technologies in the practice of Structural Engineering.
Recent advances are being driven by the emergence of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as the
industry recognised process of improved project delivery.
3D Model Development
Development of 3D model using Revit (or equivalent) to manage project information (i.e. data) to enable
multidisciplinary collaborative processes and associated federated models. Overview of the importance of
interoperable software and file formats (e.g. IFC) in creating a Common Data Environment (CDE); Model
Level of Development (LOD).
Computer Aided Structural Analysis and Design
Methodologies for the transfer of 3D models into specialist structural analysis and design software (e.g.
Robot, StaadPro, Dlubal).
Approximation in Structural Engineering
Qualitative and approximations in quantitative analysis when evaluating the veracity of computer aided
analysis and design outcomes.
Deliverables from 3D Models
Production of deliverables from 3D models including 2D drawings, schedules and data files in accordance
with industry standards and contracts. Model development to include classification systems (e.g. Uniclass,
Omniclass) and data exchange formats (e.g. COBie).

Assessment Breakdown %
Course Work 100.00%

Course Work
Assessment Assessment Description Outcome % Assessment
Type addressed of Date
total
Project Develop a 3D Model in Revit (or equivalent) and 1,2 20.0 Week 4
transfer to an appropriate proprietary structural
analysis software (e.g. Robot, StaadPro, Dlubal).
Project Complete the computer aided analysis and design for a 3,4 45.0 Week 9
building and/or element of infrastructure. Complete
both a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the
computer model to verify computer aided design outputs.
Practical/Skills Investigate the accuracy of a third party 3D model and 1,2,3,4 20.0 Week 10
Evaluation associated structural analysis and design using
appropriate qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Project Extract appropriate design and specification 1,5 15.0 Sem End
documentation from the 3D model in the form of 2D
deliverables and appropriate data file (e.g. COBie).

No End of Module Formal Examination

Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written
examination.

The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

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 CIVL8028: Digital Structural Engineering

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time

Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average
Weekly
Learner
Workload
Lecture Delivery of Module Content 1.5 Every 1.50
Week
Lab Computer based lab 2.0 Every 2.00
Week
Tutorial Qualitative and quantitative analysis and problem 0.5 Every 0.50
solving Week
Independent & Directed Revision; Preparation of assessment material 3.0 Every 3.00
Learning (Non-contact) Week
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00

This module has no Part Time workload.

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Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources

Iain MacLeod 2005, Modern Structural Analysis - Modelling Process and Guidance, First Ed.,
Thomas Telford Ltd UK [ISBN: 9780727732798]
David Brohn 2005, Understanding Structural Analysis, Third Ed., New Paradigm Solutions [ISBN:
978-095563110]
Fiona Cobb 2014, Structural Engineer's Pocket Book: Eurocodes, Third Ed., CRC Press UK [ISBN:
978-0-08-097121-6]
Chuck Eastman, Paul Teicholz, Rafael Sacks, Kathleen Liston, 2011, BIM Handbook, Second Ed.,
John Wiley Hoboken New Jersey [ISBN: 978-0-470-54137-1]
Nawari O. Nawari, Michael Kuenstle 2015, Building Information Modeling : Framework for
Structural Design , First Ed., CRC Press Boca Raton, FL [ISBN: 9781482240436]

Supplementary Book Resources

Hugh Morrison 2014, Structural Engineering Art and Approximation, First Ed., Paragon UK & USA
[ISBN: 978-1-782223160]
Derek Seward 2009, Understanding Structures, Fourth Ed., Palgrave Macmillan UK [ISBN:
978-0-230-21263-3]
Tianjian Ji, Adrian Bell 2008, Seeing and Touching Structural Concepts, First Ed., Taylor &
Francis Hoboken [ISBN: 978-0-203-96079-0]
J.E. Gordan 1991, Structures or why things don't fall down, Penguin Group London [ISBN:
9780140136289]
J.E. Gordan 1991, The New Science of Strong Materials Or Why You Don't Fall Through the Floor,
Penguin Group [ISBN: 9780141927701]

Recommended Article/Paper Resources

Chris Wise 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 1. Introduction: Part 1: Structure is everywhere!,
The Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-1-structure-is-e verywhere
Chris Wise 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 2: Introduction: Part 2: Designing a meaningful
structure, The Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-2-designing-a-me
aningful-structure
Allan Mann 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 3: Historical development of structural form, The
Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-3-historical-dev
elopment-of-structural-form
Allan Mann 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 4: Historical development of structural theories
and methods of analysis – context of modern computer analysis, The Institution of Structural
Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-4-historical-dev
elopment-of-structural-theorie
Allan Mann 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 5: Lessons from failures, The Institution of
Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-5-lessons-from-f ailures
Graham Owens 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 6: Introduction to Structural Materials, The
Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-6-introduction-t
o-structural-materials
Mark Evernden 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 7: Traditional structural materials, The
Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-7-traditional-st
ructural-materials
Mike Bather, Peter Bullman 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 10: Structural form: Introduction
to behaviour, selection and analysis, The Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge
Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-10-structural-fo
rm-introduction-to-behaviou-(1)
Mike Bather, Peter Bullman 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 11: Triangulated structures, The
Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-11-triangulated- structures
Mike Bather, Peter Bullman 2017, ssential Knowledge Text No. 12: Flexure and flexural structures,

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 The Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-12-flexure-and-f
lexural-structures
David Brohn 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 13: Behaviour of beams and two-dimensional
frames, The Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-13-behaviour-of-
beams-and-two-dimensional-fra
Iain A MacLeod, Andrew Weir 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 14: Principles for ncomputer
analysis of structures, The Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-14-principles-fo
r-computer-analysis-of-structu
Graham Owens 2017, Essential Knowledge Text No. 15: Approximate analysis of skeletal
structures, The Institution of Structural Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/no-15-approximate-a
nalysis-of-skeletal-structures
David Cormie 2016, Essential Knowledge Text No. 16: Stability, The Institution of Structural
Engineers - Essential Knowledge Series
www.istructe.org/resources-centre/essential-knowledge-series/stability

Other Resources

Website: Expedition Workshed

http://www.expeditionworkshed.org/
Website:: Structural Engineering Art and Approximation
http://struartapp.com/
Website:: The University of ManchesterStructural Concepts
http://www.mace.manchester.ac.uk/project /teaching/civil/structuralconcepts/home. htm
Website:: Gregory P. Luth, Ph.D., S.E.Gregory P. Luth & Associates
http://www.gregorypluth.com/
Website:: UK BIM Task GroupUK BIM Task Group
http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/
Website:: Autodesk
http://www.autodesk.com/
Website: Tekla Structural Designer
http://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-stru ctural-designer
Website:: Bentley
http://www.bentley.com/

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Module Delivered in

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery

CR_CSTRU_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Structural Engineering 6 Elective

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