Last modified: 25 Jul 2025 16:16
This course provides students with knowledge and practical skills required for the analysis, design and detailing of hybrid lightweight steel structures with the aid of digital technology aligned with the modern construction requirements.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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Lightweight steel framing (LSF) structures made of cold-formed steel (CFS) stud-walls and joisted floors are gaining growing popularity around the world as a cost-effective and sustainable low-carbon construction solution with a significant potential to reuse of their structural components compared to the heavier hot-rolled steel counterparts. Their application encompasses new developments and vertical extensions to existing buildings with minimum impact on the original structures and foundations. The ease of offsite manufacturing of LSF structures offers many benefits compared to traditional methods, including: (a) improved quality and productivity, reduced material use and wastage, and savings of 30-50% in total construction time and associated costs; (b) flexibility for more tailored design solutions complying with the Design for Manufacture, Assembly and Deconstruction approach; and (c) scalability facilitating the adoption of technologies for automated construction. These are aligned with the conclusions of the Farmer Review report that the UK construction industry ‘modernise or die’ via addressing poor productivity (when assessed against other manufacturing-led industries) and predictability in terms of cost, time and quality.
The evolution and refinement of additive manufacturing (AM) technology in recent decades across various industries, including aerospace, biomedical, defence and nuclear, have paved the way for the utilisation of this manufacturing technique in the construction sector. To achieve a highly efficient, modular, automated and reusable construction methods, the potential of AM can be explored within digital construction systems. AM presents several advantages compared to conventional production methods, including advanced automation, geometric flexibility, reduced construction time, off-site manufacturing, greater worker safety through the reduction of repetitive on-site labour and contraction of the supply chain, along with potential opportunities for repair and strengthening.
Hands-on exercises in addition to lectures on the above topics will provide students with opportunities to put their newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice while analysing and designing a variety of lightweight steel structures with the help of engineering numerical analysis software packages such as SAP2000, CUFSM and ABAQUS. Interaction with the tutors and self-reflection on their performance will allow students to continuously monitor their performance and improve.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 33 | Feedback Weeks | 36 | |
| Feedback |
Written report (15 pages per student) on an open-ended design project, comprising mainly calculations, computational results/graphs and their interpretations underpinning design decisions. Written general feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen. Additional individual feedback available at timetabled computer practical sessions, office hours by appointment, or via discussion board on MyAberdeen. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | 41 | Feedback Weeks | ||
| Feedback |
Written report (10 pages) on an open-ended design project, comprising mainly calculations, computational results/graphs and their interpretations underpinning design decisions. Written general feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen. Additional individual feedback available at timetabled computer practical sessions, office hours by appointment, or via discussion board on MyAberdeen. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Written report on an open-ended design project, comprising mainly calculations, computational results/graphs and their interpretations underpinning design decisions. Written general feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen. Additional individual feedback available at timetabled computer practical sessions, office hours by appointment, or via discussion board on MyAberdeen. If student has passed the Group Design Project, this result will be carried forward. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Written report on an open-ended design project, comprising mainly calculations, computational results/graphs and their interpretations underpinning design decisions. In case a student has to take this resit individually, the workload will be appropriately adjusted but design brief will simulate ‘group environment’ by asking the resitter to consider and react to earlier simulated ‘group’ decisions. If the student has passed the Individual Design Project, this result will be carried forward. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Factual | Remember | For ILOs please refer to Course Handbook. |
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