Concept Design of Building Structures

The course helps students learn to use engineering principles, design methods and tools for the professional practice of the structural design of buildings, including geotechnical considerations. The course is design-focused, and students are challenged to work as a team and develop and communicate their own structural design solutions for a building, from first principles, with a variety of design constraints. These design constraints include consideration of costs, risks, sustainability, health and safety, multi-disciplinary design considerations, and constructability. To bring the flavour of the professional world to the classroom and further develop teamwork skills, students will do most of the work in this course as part of a team. Practising engineers will support teamwork and provide insight into how professional design engineers approach complex problems. In addition, academics will provide guidance throughout the course. This course aims to provide students with a practical design experience, where the focus is on the identification of required information, self-learning, application of civil engineering skills and knowledge, and development of professional design skills.