Aim
The course will give the student insight and understanding of the building as a system and how various performance requirements interact with each other when selecting technical solutions for buildings.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• understand the requirements governign the technical design of a building and the interaction between them

• understand the concept of stabilisation of multi-storey buildings and design against accidental loading and disproportionate collapse

• have insight about how the design of the structural system is affected by requirements concerning fire resistance and other accidental actions, sound performance, energy efficiency, services, production aspects and economy.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to design the structural system in multi-storey buildings considering relevant loads and the transfer of these loads to the foundation

• be able to document in written form the motives and considerations that govern the choice of building system

• be able to document the results of technical design of a building in written form and by drawings

• be able to independently find and critically evaluate information about technical solutions for buildings.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to critically evaluate generic technical solutions described by suppliers of building products and system solutions

• be able to adapt such solutions in an independent way for a specific building project.

Contents
The course consists of:

Building systems based on the load bearing system but with an overall view of the building as a system including all relevant aspects for optimum design. Both light-weight and heavy structural systems based on different structural materials are included. An important aspect is horisontal stabilization of the building, which often governs the overall design. The properties of the building system in relation to other performance requirements, such as fire safety, sound performance, energy efficiency, services, construction, economy etc. is included in the course, from the point of view that optimal solutions must be based on a holistic perspective.

Structural detailing connected to various types of building systems. Detailing solutions are usually important features in an optimal building system.

Design of structural systems with respect to fire, accident actions and robustness.

Design project
A design project in the form of a multi-storey office building, where the students shall work with the building as a whole and important detailing solutions. The motives for choice between alternative building systems shall be given. The interaction between the structural system and the requirements for the building envelope, installations of services, fire safety, sound performance, construction methods and economy shall be treated in the design project. Site visits connected to the project will be arranged.

Literature
No fixed mandatory literature, due to a problem based learning approach.