Civil Structural Analysis and Design
8 weeks · 0 milestones
Perform structural analysis and design of a real or representative civil structural element — a beam, column, slab, or simple frame — to a named structural code (Eurocode 2/3, ACI 318, AS 3600, or equivalent). The analysis must include: load combination calculations to the applicable standard (dead, live, wind, and/or seismic loads as applicable), section design or section adequacy check with documented calculation steps and code clause references for each check, deflection calculation and verification against code limits, a summary table of all utilisation ratios (capacity used / capacity available) for the governing failure modes, and a statement of the critical failure mode. Preferred proof: structural analysis for a real project (academic, professional, or community). Accessible alternative: SkyCiv free tier (browser-based structural analysis software) for a published worked example or standard structural design scenario — input file and output results required, not screenshots alone; OR a complete hand calculation using documented methodology with free reference material (Eurocode and ACI 318 are available through university open access). Proof artifacts: the loading diagram and calculation (analysis artifact) and the design summary with code clause references (documentation artifact). Verification: a structural engineer reviews the governing failure mode — 'you checked flexure but not lateral-torsional buckling; under what conditions would that govern?' — requiring you to reason beyond your submitted calculation.
Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Define a civil structural analysis problem: a reinforced concrete beam or slab, a steel portal frame, a masonry wall, a retaining wall, or a bridge girder. Specify the geometry (span, section dimensions), material properties (concrete grade, reinforcement, steel grade), and loading to Eurocode or equivalent: permanent loads (self-weight), variable loads (imposed floor load, wind, snow), and the relevant load combination. State which failure mode governs the design check: bending (ULS flexure), shear (ULS shear), deflection (SLS), or cracking (SLS). Civil structural analysis is load-combination-driven — a single load case without the governing combination is incomplete.
Proof required
Submit your problem definition document (≥500 words): structural description with geometry and material grade, permanent and variable loads with Eurocode load combination applied (e.g. 1.35G + 1.5Q), and the governing failure mode stated for the design check.
What gets checked
- Load combination is applied using the named standard (e.g. Eurocode EN 1990 combination 6.10 or equivalent)
- Geometry and material grade are stated specifically — not 'a typical beam'
- Governing failure mode is identified before calculation — yield, shear, or serviceability