Course coordinator
Associate Professor Vinh Dao
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Civil Engineering School
This course aims to provide students with advanced analysis and design of reinforced concrete (RC) structures, as well as state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of concrete material technology. For RC structures, students will be exposed to advanced analytical theory and design principles of non-conventional RC design such as non-flexural and torsional members, moment redistribution, confinement, design of high-strength concrete structural components. For concrete technology, the microstructures of hardened concrete/cementitious paste, their significance in performance of concrete structures and influencing factors will be explained. The course also covers practical aspects such as the use of fillers and chemical admixtures in high-performance concrete mix design, crack control and investigation, creep and shrinkage and various long-term durability issues. Real life case studies will be used to explain the problems that can occur, how these problems could be avoided and how these problems could be resolved.
The course will introduce aspects of cutting edge, cross-disciplinary knowledge in the field of concrete technology. Aspects covered include the recent advances and future challenges in topics including nanoengineering of concrete and cementitious materials, characterization and optimization of concrete using advanced techniques, the application of artificial intelligence in advanced engineering of concrete, 3D printing based technologies for automated construction as well as manufacturing high performance, multifunctional concrete.
The course will also cover an in-depth knowledge of (i) strut-and-tie method for the design of non-flexural regions, (ii) creep and shrinkage, (iii) concrete cracking and crack control, together with other recent advances and future challenges in concrete structures and concrete technology.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CIVL4331 or CIVL4333
Restrictions
Restricted to students enrolled in BE(Hons)/ME (Civil) or (Civil/Environ), MEngSc (Civil) suite, or MCivEng(Prof) programs
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Vinh Dao
Dr Shujian Chen
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The major aims of this course are to introduce to the students some advanced aspects of concrete structures and concrete technology.
For the advanced design of concrete structures, students will be given the opportunity to learn the technique of strut-and-tie modelling for designing non-flexural regions/members of concrete structures.
With respect to concrete technology part, students will be introduced to key emerging areas in concrete technology, including: nanoengineering, artificial intelligence and 3D printing. Students will also gain an in-depth knowledge of creep, shrinkage, concrete cracking and crack control, together with other recent advances and future challenges in concrete technology.
The knowledge base developed in this course will help students improve first principle-based thinking and open more routes in their future career development.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain the theory of strut-and-tie modelling, and apply the theory to design complex non-flexural regions/members of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures.
LO2.
Investigate the cause of concrete cracks and other defects, and formulate preventive/remedial solutions.
LO3.
Interpret and apply in-depth knowledge of a wide variety of topics within the field of concrete technology at an advanced level.
LO4.
Build a cross-disciplinary knowledge base on various advanced characterization techniques used to understand concrete.
LO5.
Explain the principle and application of nanoengineering on concrete.
LO6.
Explain how artificial intelligence can improve the development, understanding and monitoring of concrete.
LO7.
Evaluate the types of 3D printing technologies and their applications in concrete.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assignment 1 | 25% |
30/08/2024 3:00 pm |
| Quiz |
Quiz
|
10% |
9/10/2024 10:00 am
The quiz will be held during the Week 11 tutorial. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assignment 2 | 15% |
14/10/2024 3:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Assignment 1
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
30/08/2024 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Assignment 1 will be on strut-and-tie modelling and other topics covered during Weeks 1-6. Further information will be made available via the course blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assessment must be submitted as a single pdf file through the course BlackBoard site. The file name has to be in the following format: Assignment 1_Student number_Student Surname.pdf; e.g. Assignment 1_48943100_Dao.pdf.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Quiz
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
9/10/2024 10:00 am
The quiz will be held during the Week 11 tutorial.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
This online quiz combines multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and blank-filling questions covering emerging concrete technologies, including nanoengineering, advanced characterization, artificial intelligence and 3D printing. Further information will be made available via the course blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assignment 2
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
14/10/2024 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
This assignment is a short report that you are required to complete using the provided active learning tools. The assignment is designed to facilitate your learning of emerging concrete technologies, including nanoengineering, advanced characterization, artificial intelligence and 3D printing. Further information will be made available via the course blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assessment must be submitted as a single pdf file through the course BlackBoard site. The file name has to be in the following format: Assignment 2_Student number_Student Surname.pdf; e.g. Assignment 2_48943100_Dao.pdf.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
The final exam will include a combination of short answer, short essay and problem solving questions.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
To receive an overall grade of 4 or more, a student must achieve at least 40% on the final exam.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has no concept about advanced design of flexural and non-flexural RC members, as well as concrete technology. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student is not able to understand the principle of analysis and design of advanced flexural and non-flexural RC structures as well as that for concrete technology. The student cannot carry out analysis and design for these structures. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student is not able to understand the principle of analysis and design of advanced flexural and non-flexural RC structures as well as that for concrete technology. The student cannot carry out analysis and design for these structures although possesses some ideas about how the structures work. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student partially understand the principle of analysis and design of advanced flexural and non-flexural RC structures as well as that for concrete technology. The student can carry out analysis and design for these structures as per code of practices with minor mistakes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student understands the principle of analysis and design of advanced flexural and non-flexural RC structures as well as that for concrete technology. The student can carry out correctly the analysis and design for these structures as per code of practices but has limited knowledge about the derivation of the respective design clauses. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student understands the principle of analysis and design of advanced flexural and non-flexural RC structures as well as that for concrete technology. The student can carry out correctly the analysis and design for these structures as per code of practices and can understand the derivation of most of the respective design clauses. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student understands the principle of analysis and design of advanced flexural and non-flexural RC structures as well as that for concrete technology. The student can carry out correctly the analysis and design for these structures as per code of practices and understand the derivation of the respective design clauses. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: