Advanced Concrete Structures
Betongbyggnad

VBKN06, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2026/27
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED V
Date of Decision: 2026-03-25

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: V4-hb, V4-at, V4-ko
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand

Aim

The course develops understanding of the mechanical behaviour of and skills in designing reinforced concrete structures.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Understand mechanical response of concrete structures with plain and pre-stressed reinforcement throughout their entire expected life-time
• Be able to relate relevant theories from the field of mechanics and materials science to practice oriented applications involving reinforced concrete

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to design reinforced concrete structural elements and details
• Departing from specific functional requirements be able to model adequate load bearing concrete structures
• Departing from available information and acquired knowledge be able to assess technical condition of existing buildings
• Be able to deliver written accounts concerning the premises for a design or technical assessment task
• Be able to produce written and graphical documentation for a design or technical assessment task

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to relate critically to different calculation and design methods in the field of concrete design
• Be able to develop new calculation or design models

Contents

• Flexural analysis of beams
• Shear analysis and torsion of beams
• Bond and anchorage of reinforcement
• Deformation and crack control
• Prestressed concrete
• Slabs
• Foundations and floor constructions
• Columns, deep beams and shear walls
• Repair and reinforcement methods; reuse and recycling
• Strut-and-tie models
• Detailing

The course is given as lectures, seminars, laborations and exercises. There are submission tasks that train the course participants to independently define, solve and present problems from the field of concrete construction.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

Written individual exam, submission tasks and laboratory sessions.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0125. Name: Written Individual Examination.
Credits: 5.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: The exam consists of theory questions and calculations.
Code: 0225. Name: Submission tasks.
Credits: 2.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: The submission tasks are handed in as separate reports. The requirements for the reports are such that not only the calculations are assessed, but also the quality of the analyses and presentation; That is, the report should be of an analyzing nature and not just contain the calculation process and results. The submission tasks are carried out in groups of no more than two persons. Well-completed submission tasks can raise the final grade.
Code: 0325. Name: Laboratory Sessions.
Credits: 0.0. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Active, in-person participation in the laboratory sessions. The module includes: Manufacturing and testing of reinforced concrete elements.

Admission

Admission requirements:

• VBMA30 Building Materials and VBKF15 Structural Engineering

Reading list

• Engström B: Kompendium i betongkonstruktioner. Chalmers Tekniska Högskola, 2005.
• Engström, B: Design and analysis of deep beams, plates and other discontinuity regions. Chalmers Tekniska Högskola, 2011.
• Engström B: Design and analysis of prestressed concrete structures. Chalmers Tekniska Högskola, 2011.
• Bhatt, MacGinley, Choo: Reinforced Concrete Design to Eurocodes: Design Theory and Examples. CRC Press, 2014, ISBN: 9781466552524.

Contact

Course coordinator: Miklós Molnár, miklos.molnar@kstr.lth.se
Teacher: Mohammad Kahangi, mohammad.kahangi@kstr.lth.se
Examinator: Jonas Niklewski, jonas.niklewski@kstr.lth.se
Examinator: Miklós Molnár, miklos.molnar@kstr.lth.se
Course homepage: https://canvas.education.lu.se/

Further information