Structures (ECM2109)

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Module status - Active
Module description status - Inactive
Credits - 15
College code - EMP
Academic year - 2014/5

Module staff

Duration (weeks) - term 1

0

Duration (weeks) - term 2

11

Duration (weeks) - term 3

0

Number students taking module (anticipated)

139

Module description

This module builds on earlier modules to provide exposure to real structures problems.

You will develop a fuller understanding of the mechanical behaviour of structures and its application to engineering design.  Topics essential to the understanding and solution of civil and mechanical engineering problems addressed in this course include: loads, strain, buckling, bending, deflection and rotation, and flexibility.

You will increase your ability with mathematical analysis and in particular its application to solving problems in structures. You will have further developed your experimental skills and awareness of health and safety practice within engineering.

Pre-requisite module: ECM1102

Module aims

To develop a fuller understanding of the mechanical behaviour of structures and its application to engineering design.

This module covers Specific Learning Outcomes in Engineering, which apply to accredited programmes at Bachelors/MEng/Masters level. These contribute to the  educational requirements for CEng registration (as defined under the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence – UK-SPEC).

This module correlates to references U1, U2, E1, E2, P1, P2 and P6. These references are indices of the specific learning outcomes expected of Bachelors/MEng/Masters candidates set out in UK-SPEC, codified with reference to systems used by professional accrediting institutions. A full list of the standards can be found on the Engineering Council's website, at http://www.engc.org.uk

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 1. explain and utilise strain energy methods
  • 2. calculate the critical buckling load for struts under compression
  • 3. compute beam deflections for single, multi-span, prismatic and non-prismatic beams
  • 4. determine the static indeterminacy of beam and 2D frame structures
  • 5. use Macaullay's method to derive the deflection in statically determinate and indeterminate prismatic beams
  • 6. use virtual work to find unknown reactions, bending moments etc. in statically determinate 2D structures
  • 7. use virtual work to find deflections and rotations in statically determinate 2D structures
  • 8. employ the flexibility method to find bending moments in statically indeterminate 2D structures
  • 9. find the kinematic indeterminacy of beam and 2D frame structures;
  • 10. use the stiffness method to find bending moments in statically indeterminate 2D structures
  • 11. evaluate the maximum plastic moment of beams with simple cross sections (rectangular or I-beams)
  • 12. estimate the plastic collapse load of simple 2D structures

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

  • 13. demonstrate improved experimental skills and awareness of health and safety practice in laboratory classes
  • 14. show increased ability with mathematical analysis and in particular its application to solving problems

ILO: Personal and key skills

  • 15. illustrate developed problem solving and presentation skills, (e.g. through submission of laboratory reports)

Syllabus plan

This module builds on earlier modules to give students exposure to methods applicable to real structures problems. The methods covered are fundamental to the understanding and the solution of mechanical and civil engineering problems. Furthermore, where appropriate (e.g. in laboratories), students are reminded of health and safety, and a formal risk assessment is presented to them as part of the School's commitment to fostering an awareness of risk issues in engineering.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
461040

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activities33Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities11Tutorials
Scheduled learning and teaching activities2Laboratories
Guided independent study104Guided independent study

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
30700

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Formal examination 702 hours1-12Mark returned
Coursework - Laboratory reports106 hours4,6,7,11-15Report marked and returned
Coursework - end of lecture worksheet202 hours1-12Marked and returned

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
All aboveWritten exam (100%)AllAugust Ref/Def period

Re-assessment notes

The referred/deferred assessments will be by formal examination.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  1. Structures,Bhatt, P,,Longman,1999,624.171 BHA,0582312221
  2. Mechanics of Materials,Gere, JM, Goodno, B J,7th SI edition,Cengage Learning,2008,620.1123 GER,978-0495438076

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

 

Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

ECM1102

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

5

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

19/11/12

Last revision date

19/11/12