Syllabus 2011/2012 VBKN10

Syllabus academic year 2011/2012
(Created 2011-09-01.)

RISK MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS

VBKN10

Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: A (Second Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand. Optional for: V5at, V5hb. Course coordinator: Tord Isaksson, tord.isaksson@kstr.lth.se, Structural Engineering. Prerequisites: At least one of the following courses: VBKN01 Betongbyggnad, VBFN05 Energi, luft och fukt vid ombyggnad och förvaltning, VBMN10 Betong i livscykelperspektiv. Recommended prerequisits: FMS 032 Matematical statistics. The course might be cancelled if the number of applicants is less than 16. Assessment: Written examination and project assignment. Parts: 2. Home page: http://www.kstr.lth.se.

Aim
The course shall give understanding of uncertainties and risk in civil engineering systems and knowledge about methods to support decision under uncertainties in design and planning of buildings and civil infrastructure.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

understand and evaluate uncertainties related to external actions and exposures as well in the performance of engineering systems in buildings and infrastructure facilities
understand and apply relevant methods and tools for analysis and management of uncertainties in design, planning and construction
understand the background for methods used to verify safety in structural design

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to perform a statistical evaluation of a data material so that it can be used in evaluation of safety and performance of new structures as well as for evaluation of existing built facilities
be able to use statistical methodology and software to verify the probability that requirements of safety and performance are met
be able to collect and critically evaluate information about uncertainties in factors affecting performance and safety for buildings and infrastructural facilities

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

have the insight that engineering methods to be used as basis for decisions lead to results which are associated with uncertainties
be able to assess the degree of uncertainty depending on the nature of the problem considered

Contents
The course covers:

Relevant basic concepts in probability theory
Limit states for safety and performance
Methods for general reliability analysis of structures
Uncertainty measures for loads and actions
Uncertainties associated to performance and capacity of structures and building components
Reliability calibration of structural design rules
Reliability based evaluation of existing structures considering available information

The course presents a systematic, statistical methodology to analyze and evaluate uncertainties related to safety and performance in civil engineering applications, as support for design with respect to load bearing capacity, deflections, vibration, energy performance, moisture safety, indoor environment and durability.

The course is based on lectures, excercises and a major project assignment. The student can choose application area in the project assignment according to interest. Special computer software for reliability analysis is used in the course.

The examination is based on a written exam together with evaluation of the report from the project assignment.

Literature
Thoft-Christensen P., Baker M.J.: Structural reliability Theory and Its Applications. Springer-Verlag 1982.
STRUREL, Software for reliability analysis, Munchen

Parts

Code: 0111. Name: Written Examination.
Higher education credits: 4. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Written examination.

Code: 0211. Name: Project Assignment.
Higher education credits: 3,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Assessment of written project report.