Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aims of this module are to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to design large-scale and/or complex structures that extend beyond standard codes of practice and to develop students' ability to analyse and design unconventional structures, incorporating non-standard materials, cross-sections, or construction techniques. It prepares future Chartered Engineers to tackle unique engineering challenges including man-made and natural hazards, in a sustainable way by fostering a deep understanding of the principles underpinning the analysis, design, and construction of complex structural systems.

Outline Of Syllabus

The outline of syllabus will incorporate all (but not subjective to):

• Revision of Eurocodes codes of practice and design of ordinary structures
• Structural reliability theory and Monte Carlo analysis
• Structural dynamics
• Introduction to infrastructure, design requirements
• Performance based design
• Design of highrise buildings
• Design of sports stadia
• Design considerations for Natural and other Hazards
• Catastrophe modelling and insurance

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Develop principles in the analysis and design of complex structures and infrastructure.
• Assess the system behaviour of complex structures to ensure that they can resist all loads
and forces, including the behaviour when the system is overloaded. To satisfy performance limits
such as strength and serviceability limits or client imposed performance criteria. To extend
knowledge in the design of advanced engineering structures and infrastructure.
• To gain practice in designing structures outside the usual standards and norms. To understand
the principles of and to apply to a particular example, some of the latest virtual design tools
and information systems, and the concepts and implementation of sustainability in complex & novel
structural design.
• Interpret design briefs and define deliverables to achieve set targets
• Apply systems thinking to complex problems
• To be able to incorporate principles related to sustainable development into design;
• Communicating with specialists and non-specialists in engineering consultancy;
• Assess quality of own work and work by others;
• Design to minimize unintended consequences of events that may not be included in standard
codes or design situations

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

* Apply statistical methods to engineering design
* Manipulate climate model data
* Producing technical summaries for effective communication;
* The ability to work effectively with others towards common goals;
* Synthesising and presenting data in professional reports;
* Delivering effective verbal presentations;

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The teaching methods for this module have three components: 1) delivery of material relevant to the learning outcomes. 2) small group activities where the students apply the theory developed in 1) e.g. calculating a future design wind speed using UKCP18. 3) application of 1) and 2) in the design of a complex structure, which is assessed using a presentation and summary document together with supplemental material. Achievement of the learning outcomes is assessed in 3)

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Winning the tender for any complex engineering job will require the company to demonstrate that they have the knowledge, skills and experience to deliver the work and that their proposed solution is the best choice. In addition to the normal tender document, there is usually a requirement for the company to showcase their skills and experience and the merits of their proposed solution through a presentation to the client. The assessment in this module will simulate this, where students will be required to present to a panel of experts who will then ask questions relating to the project. Students will have to not only complete their designs, but will need to be familiar enough with them that they can respond to the questions posed by the experts. This requires them to 1) complete a design, 2) understand the important features of the design and be able to identify and summarize these 3) convince the audience that their design is not only correct and achievable but is also the best and 4) be able to quickly refer to documents produced in the design process to answer technical questions. This will be tested in the Seminar.

AHEP4:
The assessment for the module will require students to carry out detailed designs and in doing so will require them to apply mathematical and statistical methods (M1), analyse complex problems, applying appropriate computational and analytical techniques (M2, M3), apply a systems approach to design original solutions to meet complex desing briefs (M5, M6), evaluate the environmental and societal impacts of their desing (M7), evaluate and mitigate risks, particularly associated with natural or anthopological hazards (M9) and to select and apply appropriate materials and technologies (M13).

The format of the assessment as a group oral presentation and briefing note requires the students to function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team (M16) and communicate effectively on complex engineering matters (M17)

A formative reflective log assessment allows students to record self-learning and development (M18)

General Notes

N/A