Robustness of Structures and Relibability of materials

Course content

Uncertainties in engineering problems, robustness and reliability, Eurocodes, actions (self-weight and imposed loads, wind, snow, earthquakes, etc.), introduction to robust and reliability-based design.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

The learning outcomes comprise:

mastering the basic concepts of uncertainties (statistical description of random variables), risk, robustness, and reliability in structural design.
development of an awareness of the philosophy of design by Eurocodes and its structure; of the determination of actions on buildings (characteristic and design values of actions, combination of actions, self weight, fire, wind, thermal actions, accidental actions, seismic actions, etc.),
acquisition of a first practical experience in the application of the FEM to realistic problems in the domain of structural robustness.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

A theoretical and practical knowledge of the finite element method is strongly recommended.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures on the theory and project assignments performed in group work. The project assignments consists of two parts: 1) the use of a finite element program for the structural analysis of a practical problem in the domain of structural robubstness and 2) the preparation of a poster on the results and an oral presentation of 7 minutes with this poster as support.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

A complete bibliography is available in the course material.

Course notes

Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:

In-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering
Correctly report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper
Present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience
Think critically about and evaluate projects, systems and processes, particularly when based on incomplete, contradictory and/or redundant information
A critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others
Consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects
Integrate advanced modelling tools for the design of complex structures in civil engineering

Other information

Contacts

Prof. Peter Berke

Building, Architecture & Town planning (BATir) Department

Brussels School of Engineering/École polytechnique de Bruxelles

Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

Avenue F.D. Roosevelt, 50 (CP 194/2), B-1050 Brussels (Belgium)

Phone: +32 2 650 6552 - Email: peter.berke@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

written examination
Project
Oral presentation
Group work
Other

written examination

Open question with developed answer

Project

Oral presentation

Group work

Other

The student evaluation is twofold, composed of a written examination and a project grade. Partial grade transfer (i.e. for the examination or for the project) between academic years is not allowed.

During the written examination no course notes, textbooks, personal notes, calculators, computers, etc., are allowed. The aim of the written examination is to check the students' ability to understand and master the general concepts covered during the course.

The project is a “single shot” assignment, i.e. performed once per academic year. It is evaluated on the basis of an oral presentation with poster support. This presentation is used to verify the critical mind of the students with respect to their results. The project assignment cannot be repeated or reworked upon after the project presentation in the same academic year, independently of the grade received (even if it’s below 10/20).

The final project grade may be different for each member of a same group. Such grade dissociation is justified by the observed/proven significant difference in the performance and/or workload of the members. Unjustified absence from the computer labworks can impact the project grade.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

The final grade is calculated as follows:

if the written examination grade is equal to or over 7/20: 30% written examination grade and 70% project grade,
if the written examination grade is below 7/20: 100% of the written examination grade.

Language(s) of evaluation

english