Project Structural Engineering 3 (B-KUL-H0P96A)
Aims
The project Structural Engineering consists of three projects, dealing with the design of a road, the design of a bridge or the design of a tunnel. The student is able to analyze a concrete project and to make a synthesis of the approach, design choice, and manner of execution.
Previous knowledge
Basic knowledge of road, bridge and tunnel design, soil mechanics and material characteristics.
Order of Enrolment
Mixed prerequisite:
You may only take this course if you comply with the prerequisites. Prerequisites can be strict or flexible, or can imply simultaneity. A degree level can be also be a prerequisite.
Explanation:
STRICT: You may only take this course if you have passed or applied tolerance for the courses for which this condition is set.
FLEXIBLE: You may only take this course if you have previously taken the courses for which this condition is set.
SIMULTANEOUS: You may only take this course if you also take the courses for which this condition is set (or have taken them previously).
DEGREE: You may only take this course if you have obtained this degree level.
FLEXIBLE(H0P88A) AND ( FLEXIBLE(H04M0B) OR FLEXIBLE (H0N67A)) AND ( FLEXIBLE(H0P75A) OR FLEXIBLE (H04N2A)) AND ( FLEXIBLE(H0P79A) OR FLEXIBLE (H04M5A)) AND SIMULTANEOUS(H0P89A)
The codes of the course units mentioned above correspond to the following course descriptions:
H0P88A : Infrastructure Engineering
H04M0B : Finite Elements
H0N67A : Eindige elementen
H0P75A : Structural Components: Reinforced Concrete, Part 2 and Prestressed Concrete
H04N2A : Constructiecomponenten: gewapend beton, deel 2 en spanbeton
H0P79A : Foundation Engineering
H04M5A : Funderingstechniek
H0P89A : Structural Components: Steel, Part 2
Is included in these courses of study
- Master of Civil Engineering (Leuven) (Structural Engineering) 120 ects.
- Master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: bouwkunde (Leuven) (Structurele ingenieurskunde (geen nieuwe inschrijvingen vanaf academiejaar 2024-2025)) 120 ects.
Activities
2 ects. Project Structural Engineering 3: Bridge (B-KUL-H0O33a)
Content
Preliminary design of a bridge
Based on a real but simplified case:
- Determination of the location of the new bridge
- Comparative study of at least 3 possible solutions, establishment of selection criteria and proposal of choice
- Definition of the cross section
- Establishment of the static diagram
- Brief note of assumptions, including loads and checks to be carried out
Pre-dimensioning of the selected solution
Course material
Relevant design codes, used in bridge engineering in Belgium
Static analysis software (SCIA or equivalent)
Format: more information
During working sessions, the students are working in groups, supported by teaching assistants who will lead them to find the good solutions and help them to motivate these.
At the end of the preliminary design, each group will have to make an oral presentation of their work and to produce a written report.
1 ects. Project Structural Engineering 3: Tunnel (B-KUL-H0O34a)
Content
Conceptual design of a tunnel project. This can be a fictitious project or an alternative to an existing tunnel or tunnel project. An alternative design of the crossing considered in the bridge project can also be chosen.
Students will need to determine main dimensions of the tunnel structure, choose the most suitable execution techniques and elaborate a preliminary design of the project.
Course material
Information about the project location (geotechnical data, existing structures, constraints, requirements)
Academic papers and/or excerpts of books regarding similar projects, execution technologies
Handouts course Tunneling
Format: more information
During sessions, the students are working in groups whereby each group is considering a part of the project or a variant solution of the envisaged project.
At the end, each group will have to present their preliminary design and submit a report of their project.
1 ects. Project Structural Engineering 3: Road (B-KUL-H0P96a)
Content
The part 'road' consists of the design of a road, from geometrical layout to structural design and choice of materials.
Various aspects are addressed: the geometrical design, taking into account the type of road and the environment; the structural construction, taking into account the traffic; the choice of materials, taking into account sustainability aspects such as noise production, durability, esthetical aspects, comfort; and the execution methods.
A number of external speakers will elaborate these topics from the view point of engineering bureaus and from road owners.
Course material
Assignment and the necessary data in digital form on Toledo.
Format: more information
During the presentations related assignments are formulated, which are solved in small groups of students. The assignments are always specific examples, based on the methods presented in the course Infrastructure Engineering, completed with extra information during the presentations. The contact moments will consist of lectures (2 to 3), given by external speakers and of Q&A sessions.