Project Management in Building Construction

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS Aim and scopes of structural design. General features of the structural design process. Definition and classification of the structural requirements: mechanical efficiency, functional efficiency, robustness, durability. Structural systems and subsystems. Classification of the structural systems. Components of the structural systems. Actions on structures and their classification. Classification of the actions based on how they are applied. Classification of loads based on the structural response. Classification of loads based on intensity variation. Analysis and modelling of reinforced concrete multi-storey buildings. Floor slabs for RC structures. RC staircases. Analysis and modelling of multi-storey steel buildings. Steel buildings with rigid-joint frames. Steel buildings with pin-jointed frames. Definition of nodal region, joint, and connection. Classification of nodes based on the connected beams. Bracing systems. Built-up members. Truss girders. Corrugated steel sheet slabs. Other common examples of steel structural systems. Introduction to computer-aided structural analysis. STRUCTURAL SAFETY Historical evolution and modern definition of structural safety. Demand and capacity. Nominal lifespan. Usage classes of the structures. Definition of ultimate limit states and serviceability limit states. The role of uncertainties and their characterisation. Approaches for assessing structural safety. Limit analysis: basic assumptions, collapse mechanisms, fundamental theorems. Review of probability theory (random variables, distributions, characteristic values). Limit state function. Probabilistic methods for structural safety assessment. Semi-probabilistic limit state method. Prescriptive vs. performance-based codes. Layout of national and European design codes. Load calculation for limit state verifications. Calculation and distribution of dead and live loads. Calculation and distribution of loads from internal partitions. Snow load. Wind load (via equivalent static force calculation). REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION Concrete composition. Cement production and classification of cement types. Aggregate types. Particle size distributions. Workability classes. Relationship between maximum aggregate size, water/cement ratio, and concrete strength. Setting and hardening of concrete. Curing. Compressive strength: compression test and strength classes. Tensile strength (direct tension and flexural tension). Instantaneous elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of concrete. Notes on concrete shrinkage and creep. Reinforcing steel: mechanical properties and product types. Acceptance testing for concrete and reinforcement bars. Notes on the bond between steel and concrete. Construction practices for reinforced concrete structures (on-site operations, compaction, and defects due to fresh concrete placement). Use of recycled aggregates in concrete production. Analysis methods for reinforced concrete structures. Serviceability limit states: stress verification, environmental influence on durability and crack control, and deformability check. Ultimate limit states: design strengths and constitutive relationships, axial and flexural resistance, failure domains, curvature-based ductility check, shear strength without and with transverse reinforcement, moment-curvature diagram shift. Prescriptions and detailing for beams, columns, and slab systems; amount of longitudinal and transverse reinforcement, concrete cover and reinforcement spacing. Notes on anchorage and lap splices. Introduction to the preparation of structural drawings. STEEL CONSTRUCTION Overview of the chemical composition of structural steel. Notes on steel production and processing methods. Classification of steel products for structural applications. Nature and role of mechanical and geometric imperfections. Tensile test, stress-strain relationship, and influence of carbon content. Elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio for structural steel. Mechanical properties of hot-rolled open and hollow sections. Acceptance testing. Local and global buckling. Cross-section classification and moment-curvature relationships for different classes. Global analysis methods and section resistance checks based on cross-section classification. Serviceability limit states: deformability check. Ultimate limit states: design strength, tensile resistance, compressive resistance, Euler buckling and verification of compression stability.

Structural mechanics.

Please contact the Principal Instructor to receive a list of English references.

Classes will take place face-to-face (in Italian).

Written and oral exam.

The course will be conducted in Italian and consists of theoretical lectures and numerical applications.