Design of Bridges and Advanced Structures
Konstruktion av broar och avancerade konstruktioner

VBKN15, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED V
Date of Decision: 2024-04-17
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: V5-ko
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand

Aim

The course gives relevant knowledge for the design and evaluation of bridges and other advanced structures that are suitable for larger spans, for example, cable supported structures, stress ribbon structures, and arches.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to design bridges and other special types of structures that are suitable for larger spans
• have knowledge and understanding of the structural behaviour and analysis methods applied to bridges and other special structures treated in the course
• have knowledge of different bridge types and construction methods for these structures

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• have the ability to independently apply knowledge acquired in previous courses, for sizing and design of bridges and other advanced structures treated in the course
• be able to independently make appropriate decisions concerning the type of structure, structural design, and construction method during the phase of conceptual design
• be able to present the results of the design project in a written and oral form and in the form of drawings/sketches
• be able to independently search for and critically evaluate information concerning technical solutions for bridges and advanced structures

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to critically evaluate different types of structures covered in the course
• be able to critically evaluate different kinds of structural solutions reported in the literature and in the lectures
• independently be able to adapt and modify different solutions for a specific project
• be able to give and receive constructive criticism in written and oral form

Contents

The course includes lectures, seminars, exercises, guest lectures by practitioning engineers and / or architects, and possible study visits. A great part of the course is devoted to two project tasks, the first consisting of the design of a road bridge. The first task is performed with planning and design calculations on a relatively detailed level. The second project involves the conceptual design of a long span structure. The second project is peer-reviewed at two workshops and is to be presented at end of the course.

Examination details

Grading scale: UG - (U, G) - (Fail, Pass)
Assessment:

Design Projects (written report, participation in workshops, and oral presentation) and individual exam. The date for the individual exam is decided during the course.

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: 0224. Name: Project Assignment 1.
Credits: 3.0. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Written report The module includes: Detailed design, composite bridge
Code: 0324. Name: Project Assignment 2.
Credits: 3.0. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Written report, peer-review, participation in workshops, and oral presentation The module includes: Conceptual design of bridge with long span width - bridge type and material to be chosen by students
Code: 0124. Name: Oral Examination.
Credits: 1.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Oral exam The module includes: All course content

Admission

Admission requirements:

• VBKN05 Concrete Structures and (VBKN01 Steel and Timber Structures or VBKN25 Design of Steel Structures)

Reading list

• Supplemental material is available on the course homepage.
• Hirt, M., Lebet, J.-P: Steel Bridges: Conceptual and Structural Design of Steel and Steel-Concrete Composite Bridges. EPFL Press, 2013, ISBN: 978-1466572966. The book is available in the V-library and can be downloaded via the library's homepage.

Contact

Course coordinator: Ivar Björnsson, ivar.bjornsson@kstr.lth.se
Teacher: Thomas Kamrad, tkd@coh.se
Course homepage: https://canvas.education.lu.se