Program Overview

Structural Engineering for Sustainability (CEGE0144)

Key Information

The module is part of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, specifically the Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering department. It has a credit value of 15.

Alternative Credit Options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

This module exposes students to technologies and analyses that ground them in the use of structural engineering to align with the UN SDG 9 (resilient infrastructure, fostering innovation), SDG 11 (resilient and sustainable cities), and SDG 12 (sustainable consumption of construction materials). The analyses cover both engineering mechanics and mechanics of solids approaches. Invited speakers reinforce core concepts and place them in a practical context. The module is assessed 60% by exam and 40% by coursework, where students tackle a problem including the use of the Institution of Civil Engineers' Carbon Calculator to compare carbon footprints of different structural systems.

Topics Covered

• Prestressed Concrete: Sustainability benefits, construction sequences, Magnel diagrams, pre- and post-tensioning, short- and long-term losses, parasitic (secondary) moments, and the use of the Institution of Civil Engineers' Carbon Calculator to compare with other structural technologies.
• Lame's Analysis of Thermal Stresses in Axisymmetric Low-Carbon Composites: Low-carbon, sustainable construction materials, structural mechanics considerations for energy-efficient low-carbon composite floors, derivation of Lame's equations, analysis of low-carbon composite discs including thermal effects, and parametric studies.
• Airy Stress Functions: Longevity and sustainability implications of predicting stress concentrations, identification of key practical applications, derivation of stress functions, use in applications, and comparison with experimental data and use alongside FEA.
• Dynamics: Development and use of a theoretical framework that enables dynamic evaluation of a structural system to ensure comfort and safety in service without excessive use of material.

Learning Outcomes

• Perform structural engineering and carbon calculations that optimize prestressed concrete systems for sustainability.
• Apply spreadsheets for parametric studies to predict stress concentrations or thermal stresses in low-carbon materials.
• Use dynamics to evaluate systems for safety and comfort without excessive material usage.
• Evaluate results from analyses against experimental data or other predictions to influence the quality of design decisions in sustainability and safety terms.

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

The module is intended for teaching in Term 1, targeting postgraduate students (FHEQ Level 7).

Teaching and Assessment

• Mode of study: In person.
• Methods of assessment: 40% Coursework, 60% Exam.
• Mark scheme: Numeric Marks.

Other Information

• Number of students on the module in the previous year: 10.
• Module leader: Professor Wendel Sebastian.