CRN: 32892

School of Computing, Science & Engineering

SEMESTER TWO EXAMINATION

PROGRAMMES:

MSc Structural Engineering

MEng Civil Engineering
MEng Civil & Architectural Engineering

BLOCK CODES:

MST/SE/F1 MST/SE/P1 ME/CI/F4 ME/CAE/F4

INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURAL DESIGN WITH COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Thursday 18th January 2014 09.30 – 12:30

Instructions to Candidates

This examination is divided into two parts, conceptual design and detail design. Both
parts have equal weighting (50% each). This examination paper is Part A.

There are two conceptual questions on this examination paper. Full marks may be
obtained for correct answers to ONE question. Marks for parts of questions are shown
in brackets.

Approved electronic calculators may be used but NOT in text storage mode.

This is an open book examination.

The detail design section of this examination (Part B) will be on a separate day.

1
1. An online retailer requires a warehouse and distribution centre which will be used to
store goods before dispatch by road. The building must house twenty aisles of racking,
set 2.0m apart; the racks being 26.0m long x 3.0m wide x 5.00m high. On one side of
the building there must be ten lorry loading bays; each loading bay being 4.0m wide x
5.00m high. A borehole log from the site investigation is shown in figure 1.

(a) Using annotated sketches, propose two distinct and viable structural forms for the
superstructure and substructure. Indicate clearly the functional framing, load
transfer and stability aspects of each.
(40 Marks)
(b) Identify, giving your reasons, the most appropriate structural material(s).
(5 Marks)
(c) Compare the two forms and, giving your reasons, select one scheme to recommend
to the client.
(5 Marks)
(d) Provide an annotated pictorial outline construction sequence for the selected
structure.
(10 Marks)
(e) Identify the significant risks which are inherent in the design and suggest mitigation
methods which could be used (whether at construction, operation, maintenance or
demolition stages).
(5 Marks)
(f) Identify any durability problems which are likely to occur during the life of the
structure (whether due to design, construction or operation problems). Where
appropriate discuss mitigation methods which may be used.
(10 Marks)
(g) Provide preliminary sizing calculations for the key elements of the selected scheme.
(15 Marks)
(h) Discuss the sustainability of the proposed scheme, identifying ways in which this
may be improved.
(10 Marks)

0.00 m
Made ground to -0.25m
SAND, stiffening with depth.

Ground water level -0.60 m

2.40 m N = 14 at -1.0m depth

becoming dense SAND to depth

N = 45 at -2.5m depth

Figure 1. Borehole log for the site.

2
2. A client requires a four storey office building in a city centre location. The building
should fill the entire site, which is 36.0m x 24.0m on plan and surrounded by public
footpaths and roads. A 4.0m diameter trunk sewer runs under the site, as shown in
figure 2, and must not be loaded by the building.

(a) Using annotated sketches, propose two distinct and viable structural forms for the
superstructure and substructure. Indicate clearly the functional framing, load
transfer and stability aspects of each.
(40 Marks)
(b) Identify, giving your reasons, the most appropriate structural material(s).
(5 Marks)
(c) Compare the two forms and, giving your reasons, select one scheme to recommend
to the client.
(5 Marks)
(d) Provide an annotated pictorial outline construction sequence for the selected
structure.
(10 Marks)
(e) Identify the significant risks which are inherent in the design and suggest mitigation
methods which could be used (whether at construction, operation, maintenance or
demolition stages).
(5 Marks)
(f) Identify any durability problems which are likely to occur during the life of the
structure (whether due to design, construction or operation problems). Where
appropriate discuss mitigation methods which may be used.
(10 Marks)
(g) Provide preliminary sizing calculations for the key elements of the selected scheme.
(15 Marks)
(h) Discuss the sustainability of the proposed scheme, identifying ways in which this
may be improved.
(10 Marks)

24 m

6m 4m

0.00 m

-0.35 m ground water level

-3.5m
CLAY becoming stiff with depth
Cu = 150 kN/m2 at -2.0m depth
Cu = 270 kN/m2 at -4.0m depth

-6.20 competent gritstone, allowable

m bearing pressure 900kN/m2

Figure 2. Section through the site.