Dynamics and Wind Engineering
20 credits
For efficiency and clarity, the module will have complementary themes running in parallel at times, as shown below:
Wind Engineering Theme
|
Dynamics Theme
|
Basic meteorology
Global circulation; subtropical cyclones; gradient winds
|
Single degree of freedom (SDOF) systems
Equation of motion; damping cases; free and forced vibration
|
Wind characteristics
Wind spectra; parent winds; turbulence; atmospheric boundary layer
|
Multiple degrees of freedom (MDOF) systems
|
Bluff body aerodynamics
Flow around cylinders and buildings; pressure coefficients
|
Continuous systems
|
Wind Engineering Tools
Eurocode; wind tunnel modelling; computational wind engineering
|
Wind-structure interaction
Buffeting; vortex-induced vibration; galloping; flutter
|
The module will involve two pieces of individual courseworks in wind loading and buffeting.
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
11 weeks |
3 week |
2 hours |
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework 1 |
15.00 |
Individual project using Eurocde to predict forces on a low-rise structure. |
Coursework 2 |
15.00 |
Individual project using Matlab coding to model the dynamic response of a building to wind excitation. |
Exam |
70.00 |
Three hour examination. |
Advanced Structural Analysis
20 credits
The module will introduce concepts of linear and nonlinear finite element theory for structural engineering.
Content will involve finite element formulation, i.e. bar, beam, plane stress, plane strain and plate/ shell elements as well as their implementation within the direct stiffness method. Aspects of material and geometrical nonlinearities will be examined and the particular cases of concentrated and distributed plasticity beam element formulations for skeletal structures will introduced.
Load, displacement, and general control nonlinear static analysis schemes will also be examined and implemented for the solution of finite element problems. Concepts will be practiced through two individual pieces of coursework on linear and non-linear finite element theory respectively. Coursework will involve both a theory implementation and an analysis aspect using software.
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
11 weeks |
2 week |
2 hours |
Workshop |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework 1 - Finite Element |
15.00 |
|
Coursework 2- Non-linear analysis |
15.00 |
|
3 hr exam |
70.00 |
Advanced Structural Design
20 credits
This module will look into the design of specialised structural systems such as composite beams and floors, portal frames, tubular trusses, and pre-stressed concrete beams and slabs.
It will also look into connection behaviour, the design of steel moment connections and sway stability of buildings. A major group design exercise will illustrate the approach to the design of complete structures.
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
11 weeks |
2 weeks |
3 hours |
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework 1 |
35.00 |
Group Design Coursework: 60 pages max plus drawings and group presentation |
Exam 1 |
65.00 |
3 hour exam |
Bridge Engineering
10 credits
The module will look into the analysis and design of bridge structures, including definition of loading, structural analysis methods for deck and piers, and design of deck, piers and foundations of steel and concrete bridges.
A group project consists of the conceptual design of a bridge and the detailed design of key structural elements.
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
12 weeks |
2 week |
3 hours |
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework 1 |
35.00 |
Group design project |
Exam 1 - 3 hr exam |
65.00 |
|
Research Development
10 credits
This is a compulsory module for all students studying an MSc in the Department of Civil Engineering. The module facilitates the development of skills that can be applied within a research project, including a literature review and writing skills, development of technical research skills, initiating a review of literature generally relating to the design/research project which they will undertake in the summer research project, and developing a proposal for the activities to be conducted in the summer research project.
The module will incorporate a mixture of learning environments/resources, including a Nottingham Open Online Course (NOOC) relating to technical writing and literature review techniques, formative feedback provided by academic staff and other students, 2-week technical workshops organised within the Department of Civil Engineering which will provide technical training in areas of interest to the student or of specific benefit to the proposed project (two workshops to be completed, selected from a number of options), and interaction with an individual supervisor who will be a member of staff specialising in an area related to the student’s project.
- The form of assessment includes a report containing a literature review related to the subject area chosen by the student and a reflective commentary on how formative feedback was used in developing their writing
- submissions required as part of the technical workshops
- a presentation and viva which details the preliminary aims, objectives, methodology, programme of activities, resource plan, and project-level risk assessment for their summer project
Tall Building Group Design Project
20 credits
This module will use the design of a tall building as a platform for students to practise and apply the skills that they have developed through the modules in the Autumn Semester. Students will work in groups to tackle a tall building design problem based on an architect’s brief and an identified site.
Detailed models of the proposed solution will be developed and evaluated using design and analysis software.
The scope of the project will cover:
- the social and engineering context of the proposed tall building
- the principal structural system
- evaluation of loading
- outline design of foundations, and
- presentation of the design.
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
1 week |
2 week |
2 hours |
Workshop |
11 weeks |
2 week |
4 hours |
Lectures are only held at the start of the project and will not continue throughout the semester.
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework 1 - Group Interim design submission |
20.00 |
Written report (1500 words) |
Coursework 2 - Group Final Design Submission |
30.00 |
Written report (3000 words) |
VIVA |
50.00 |
Individual VIVA on project and individual diary of activities throughout the semester.15 min VIVA and diary (1000 words) |
Civil Engineering Research Project
60 credits
This is the major project element for all MSc plans in the Department of Civil Engineering. It will normally take the form of an in-depth investigation, whether it involves experimentation or an extensive review of work already completed by others. Typically, but not exclusively, it will include the following:
- Project definition and aim
- Literature review
- Practical experimentation / investigation
- Presentation of results
- Critical analysis of findings
The detailed technical content of the module will depend on the specific area under examination. Assessment is based on submission of a report (typically 10,000 to 20,000 words) which covers the above elements.
The project area is flexible and will be supervised by an academic member of staff.
Previous research projects have included:
- Weather impact on construction schedules
- Predicted future climate change trends
- The use and abuse of GPS in current UK survey practices
- The utilization of laser scanning system for examination and monitoring of tunnel deformation and structural integrity
- Life cycle assessment of the M25 highway widening scheme