What you will study
You will learn how to carry out the conceptual and detailed design of standard and innovative structures and substructures under normal and earthquake actions, to latest standards, using steel and concrete. You will also study the financial, legal and contractual problems associated with the construction process, and will learn how to apply your knowledge of management techniques and contract administration in the supervision of construction projects.
You will have the opportunity to carry out research and undertake industry-relevant dissertation projects.
The advanced concrete design module is assessed by coursework based on the national university competition organised by The Concrete Centre, the trade body representing the concrete industry in the UK.
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Modules
Core modules
Management of Project Risk, Quality and Safety
30 credits
The module starts with a general introduction into the management of projects, and then goes more deeply into the technical aspects of project management techniques and project risk analysis.
It also covers many aspects of health and safety legislation and practice, starting from the history of health and safety in the UK, the Health and Safety at Work Act, risk assessment, and covers major sets of regulations that impact on construction work. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations are dealt with in depth, as this is a key piece of statutory legislation that relates to the construction industry. Good practice and the importance of advice and guidance are emphasised.
Quality management is dealt with in relation to the requirements of the latest edition of ISO9000, and the process leading to registration under this standard. Modern practices in quality and the use of various quality management techniques are covered.
Seismic Design of Structures and Substructure Design
30 credits
This core module covers the conceptual design and detailed design of concrete framed buildings subjected to earthquake in accordance with Eurocode 8 (EC8). The module also covers the design of reinforced concrete substructures and foundations to Eurocode 7 (EC7) including soil-structure interaction, cyclic loading and sustainability issues.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Carry out conceptual design, seismic analysis and detailed design of concrete framed buildings to EC8.
- Critically analyse technical structural requirements and recommend credible practical solutions for concrete structures subjected to earthquake induced loading including repair and strengthening of earthquake-damaged structures.
- Analyse and design shallow footings, rafts and special foundations using numerical methods in accordance with EC7.
- Assess the loaded behaviour of single piles and pile groups including settlement prediction for both short term and long-term conditions.
- Analyse the stability and deformation of various geotechnical elements subjected to seismic loading.
- Discuss and interpret environmental as well as practical issues related to geotechnical construction.
Structural Design in Concrete and Steel
30 credits
This core module covers latest developments in specification, design and detail of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete framed buildings and, steel framed structures. Methods of analysis and structural design are in accordance with Eurocode 2 (EC2) and Eurocode 3 (EC3) for concrete and steel respectively.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Analyse, design and detail reinforced and pre-stressed concrete elements includinf flat slabs and post-tensioned slabs to EC2.
- Carry out the conceptual design including design for stability and robustness of multi-storey concrete framed buildings.
- Specify sustainable modern concretes including self-compacting concrete, high strength voncrete, admixtures and additions, in accordance with up-to-date practice.
- Critically compare various methods of design with steel such as simple, continuous and semi-rigid and carry out plastic analysis of steel frames.
- Analyse, design and detail incl. fire resistance requirements of steel elements such as beams, columns and composite floors to EC3.
- Design single and multi-bay industrial structures in steel including bolted and welded connections.
Estimating, Tendering and Procurement
30 credits
This module concentrates on the way the construction product is priced and paid for and aims to give an in-depth understanding of the roles that the client/employer, the main contractor, and the professional service consultants have in relation to the procurement of construction works.
It also examines the processes that need to be undertaken at senior management level in terms of the estimating and tendering decisions by contactors' during the bidding process. It analyses in detail the strategic decision making rationale that needs to be put in place when making a decision to tender a bid and the process of turning an estimate into a tender submission.
Dissertation
60 credits
The overall aim of the module is to allow you to develop research skills and gain an appreciation of a subject area of the your own choosing. In undertaking the work that is required you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in reviewing existing published literature and data and through the use of your own efforts apply one or more of a range of research methods to collect and analyse data and draw well-founded conclusions as a result of your research.
The module allows you to study an area of interest in significant depth and allows you to demonstrate a clear understanding of what has been learnt through a variety of means; a literature review, a research proposal, an oral presentation and a substantial dissertation.
Optional modules
Professional Placement
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and develops and enhances key employability and subject specific skills in their chosen discipline. Students may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for the major project or future career.
It is the responsibility of individual students to find and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this should not normally involve more than two placements which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the Course Leader, prior to commencement to ensure its suitability. Students seeking placements will have access to the standard placement preparation activities offered by Student Engagement and Enhancement (SEE) group.
