Program Overview

Course Overview

The course BYGA2101, Structural Engineering, is an intermediate-level course that focuses on the principles of structural engineering, including the strength of materials, load carrying systems, and design of beams and columns.

Course Details

• Credits: 7.5
• Level: Intermediate course, level II
• Course start: Autumn 2025
• Duration: 1 semester
• Language of instruction: Norwegian
• Location: Ĺlesund
• Examination arrangement: School exam

Course Content

The course covers the following topics:

• Strength of materials from mechanics
• Shear stresses in beam sections
• Plane stress, stress transformation, and principal stresses
• Yield criteria
• Buckling of columns
• Load carrying system design
• Introduction to loads and load combinations
• Design of beams and columns in concrete or steel
• Laboratory works in concrete material

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

The candidate shall:

• Be able to explain how forces and loads affect structures
• Have good knowledge of the basic connection between mechanics and construction theory
• Determine stresses from shear force and torsion in beams
• Know what a yield criterion is
• Define and know what buckling is
• Know how forces are transferred in structures
• Explain how structures are braced
• Define loads and load combinations for simple building structures
• Have knowledge to calculate the capacity of simple beams and columns in steel

Skills

The candidate should be able to:

• Apply his/her knowledge of mechanics and construction
• Calculate shear stresses in beams
• Determine stresses in plane stress, transform stresses, and calculate principal stresses
• Use Mise's yield criterion to calculate when yielding occurs in a structure
• Calculate elastic buckling load for columns
• Explain the load-bearing effect and bracing systems in typical building structures
• Calculate loads on simple structures (self-weight, live load, wind load, and snow load)
• Assemble loads into load combinations
• Design simple beams and columns in steel

General Competence

The candidate must:

• Have a good understanding of the connection between the basic theory and the practical application of the subject
• Have a basic understanding of structural engineering
• Have an understanding of basic problems in mechanics and design theory and be able to communicate these to others in their own field
• Have an understanding of the connection between external stresses on a structure and the response of the structure
• Be able to analyze and solve construction problems within the framework of the curriculum of the course

Digital Competence

• Qualified use of computer programs
• Analysis and interpretation of results
• Data editing

Sustainability Competence

• The course helps to provide students with the necessary foundation to design safe, economical, and sustainable structures

Learning Methods and Activities

• Lectures
• Assignments
• Academic supervisions
• Laboratory exercises

Compulsory Assignments

• Exercise
• Laboratory exercise

Evaluation

• Written exam: 4 hours
• Letter grades: A to F
• Mandatory work requirements: Group work, report writing, and laboratory exercises must be approved in order to take the exam

Specific Conditions

• Admission to a programme of study is required: Civil Engineering - Engineering (BIBYGG)

Recommended Previous Knowledge

• Basic knowledge in statics and mechanics of materials, corresponding to MEKA1101

Course Materials

• Kolbein Bell: Konstruksjonsmekanikk - Del 2: Fasthetslćre

Subject Areas

• Structural Engineering