| Unit name | Strengthening and Design of Bridges |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CADEM0014 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Caro |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
This unit aims to introduce the fundamental principles of concept design, structural analysis and design criteria of bridges covering different bridge typologies and structural materials. Students will be equipped with specialist knowledge of the key European Codes of Practice that deal with the design and analysis of bridge structures covering the implications for the Ultimate Limit States (ULS) and the Serviceability Limit States (SLS). In addition, with increasing numbers of strength-deficient concrete infrastructure assets, strengthening and repair of bridges is an issue of international importance. Students will be provided with valuable knowledge regarding current and emerging technologies in shear and flexural strengthening of concrete bridges with sustainable materials such as Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs).
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Structural engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering concerned with the stability, rigidity and strength of buildings, bridges and other structures. In our Civil Engineering programme, structures are taught across all years of study, including Engineering Science (delivered in Year 1), Methods of Structural Analysis and Structural Materials and Design (in Year 2), Advanced Structural Analysis (in Year 3), as well as several optional M/level units, including this one. Practical applications of Structural Engineering are also embedded in the Design units of the programme.
An overview of content
Topics covered by this unit include:
Characteristics and behaviour of different types of bridges, their main components, basic structural systems adopted in bridges and the principles underlying their design; Conceptual design process of bridges covering a variety of materials such as concrete, steel or composite alternatives and execution methods; Design criteria (loading) of superstructure and substructure of bridges in accordance to European Codes of Practice and associated British Standards (BS) to ULS and SLS with primary focus on highway bridges of different articulation arrangements (e.g., integral or non-integral); Design with composite materials such as Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs); Strengthening and repair of concrete bridges using advanced technologies and techniques of shear and flexural strengthening with sustainable FRP materials.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit will provide students with the opportunity to tackle real-case bridge design and analysis problems and adapt to changing requirements in the role of the future bridge engineer regarding emerging technologies and high performing sustainable materials such as FRPs. The content in this unit will give students the necessary technical skills needed towards pursuing a role as a bridge engineer in the professional practise, as well as fulfilling the educational base for the professional qualification of Chartered Engineer.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, successful students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, problem sheets, practical activities on bridge design and analysis supported by drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises.
Students will be expected to carry out some pre-reading ahead of lectures (ran in a flipped classroom mode) of the asynchronous content and will be encouraged to work on a number of real-life bridge design and strengthening problems individually and in teams. Computer labs will be also used to apply the learned theories and methods to solve practical problems.
To aid further understanding of the taught content, a series of computer lab sessions and exercises are carefully designed such that students can build their own expertise and proficiency in computational tools. In the end, students will be able to integrate key model components, which have been developed individually, into a complete methodology for a bridge design.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students will be expected to carry out some pre-reading ahead of lectures and expected to work on a number of real-life design problems individually and in teams. Computer labs will be used to apply the learned theories and methods to solve practical problems. For each topic a number of worked examples will be proposed with written detailed solution available. Q/A sessions in person and online are employed to integrate the self-assessment through worked examples.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Open book examination (100%)
The examination will be a mix of Multiple Choice Questions, short essays and design exercises.
When assessment does not go to plan
A reassessment retains the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CADEM0014).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
