The aim of the course is to provide students with the basic knowledge necessary for the design of simple steel and reinforced concrete structures.

D1 - Knowledge and understanding.
At the end of the course, the student will have to know the basic aspects of the structural behavior of steel and reinforced concrete elements, the methods of verification and of the general and detailed design also with reference to the national regulations.

D2 - Applying knowledge and understanding.
The student must be able to perform the design and verification of a typical steel or reinforced concrete structure subjected to gravity loads.

D3 - Making judgements.
At the end of the course the student must be able to carry out a critical examination of the correct application of the knowledge acquired and applied to the design.

D4 - Communication
At the end of the course the student must be able to explain correctly and with the correct use of the technical terms the knowledge and practical skills acquired.

D5 - Lifelong learning skills.
The student must be able to deal with the study of more complex aspects related to steel or reinforced concrete structures in subsequent courses or during the professional life.

Good knowledge of the main topics in Structural Mechanics.
Prerequisites: for students enrolled from the academic year 2011-12 onwards, it is mandatory to have passed the Structural Mechanics exam first.

BASIS OF STRUCTURAL SAFETY

BASIS OF DESIGN AND VERIFICATION OF STEEL STRUCTURES

Structural Systems in Steel Construction
Morphology of structural elements and methods of construction of steel structures. Structural schematization; simplified methods for analysis.

Verification Methods and Reference Standards for Steel Structures
Italian standards. European standards.

Steel for Structural Engineering
Chemical composition and mechanical properties. Tests on steel. Structural steel types. Types of steel elements.

Imperfections
Mechanical imperfections. Geometric imperfections.

Serviceability Limit States
Displacement control. Vibration control.

Verification and Design of Steel Sections – Limit States Method
Tension. Simple bending. Combined bending. Shear. Verification of compressed members.

Connections – General Considerations

Welded Joints
Welding processes. Welding defects. Welding inspections. Classification of welded joints. Full penetration welds. Fillet welds.

Bolted Joints
Regulatory references. Bolts. Bolt strength class. Tightening. Hole diameter. Hole spacing and edge distance. Categories of bolted connections. Shear connections. Tension connections. Strength under combined shear and tension. Friction connections.

Review on the Verification and Design of Steel Sections – Allowable Stress Method
Tension. Simple bending. Combined bending. Shear.

BASIS OF DESIGN AND VERIFICATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Structural Systems in Reinforced Concrete Construction. Structural Conception of RC Buildings
Morphology of structural elements and methods of construction of reinforced concrete structures. Structural schematization; simplified methods for analysis.

Verification Methods and Reference Standards for Reinforced Concrete Structures
Italian standards. European standards.

Materials for Reinforced Concrete
Concrete. Steel. Steel-concrete bond. Durability of reinforced concrete structures.

Sections of Unidimensional Elements in Reinforced Concrete Subjected to Normal Stresses
Analysis and verification in the elastic and elastoplastic range. Ultimate limit states for bending and axial/tensile bending. Section design. Confined columns.

Unidimensional Elements in Reinforced Concrete Subjected to Shear
Analysis and verification in the elastic and elastoplastic range. Ultimate limit state for shear: elements with and without shear reinforcement.

Serviceability Limit State Verifications
General. Maximum stress limit state in service. Deformability limit state. Cracking limit states.

Ultimate Limit States Induced by Deformations of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Stability verification of reinforced concrete elements: general procedure, simplified methods.

Sizing, Verification, and Basic Detailing Rules

The main reference for exam preparation should be the notes taken during the lectures and the material distributed by the teacher. For further insights, specific reference can be made to the following texts:
- Claudio Bernuzzi, PROPORZIONAMENTO DI STRUTTURE IN ACCIAIO. Progettazione e verifiche semplificate secondo NTC 2018. , Hoepli Ed., 2018, ISBN: 978-88-203-8482-1
- Cosenza, Manfredi, Pecce, STRUTTURE IN CEMENTO ARMATO. BASI DELLA PROGETTAZIONE, Hoepli Ed., 3° ed. 2019, ISBN: 978-88-203-9162-1
- Cinuzzi, Gaudiano, TECNICHE DI PROGETTAZIONE PER STRUTTURE DI EDIFICI IN CEMENTO ARMATO, CEA Ed., 1993

BASIS OF STRUCTURAL SAFETY

BASIS OF DESIGN AND VERIFICATION OF STEEL STRUCTURES

Structural Systems in Steel Construction
Morphology of structural elements and methods of construction of steel structures. Structural schematization; simplified methods for analysis.

Verification Methods and Reference Standards for Steel Structures
Italian standards. European standards.

Steel for Structural Engineering
Chemical composition and mechanical properties. Tests on steel. Structural steel types. Types of steel elements.

Imperfections
Mechanical imperfections. Geometric imperfections.

Serviceability Limit States
Displacement control. Vibration control.

Verification and Design of Steel Sections – Limit States Method
Tension. Simple bending. Combined bending. Shear. Verification of compressed members.

Connections – General Considerations

Welded Joints
Welding processes. Welding defects. Welding inspections. Classification of welded joints. Full penetration welds. Fillet welds.

Bolted Joints
Regulatory references. Bolts. Bolt strength class. Tightening. Hole diameter. Hole spacing and edge distance. Categories of bolted connections. Shear connections. Tension connections. Strength under combined shear and tension. Friction connections.

Review on the Verification and Design of Steel Sections – Allowable Stress Method
Tension. Simple bending. Combined bending. Shear.

BASIS OF DESIGN AND VERIFICATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Structural Systems in Reinforced Concrete Construction. Structural Conception of RC Buildings
Morphology of structural elements and methods of construction of reinforced concrete structures. Structural schematization; simplified methods for analysis.

Verification Methods and Reference Standards for Reinforced Concrete Structures
Italian standards. European standards.

Materials for Reinforced Concrete
Concrete. Steel. Steel-concrete bond. Durability of reinforced concrete structures.

Sections of Unidimensional Elements in Reinforced Concrete Subjected to Normal Stresses
Analysis and verification in the elastic and elastoplastic range. Ultimate limit states for bending and axial/tensile bending. Section design. Confined columns.

Unidimensional Elements in Reinforced Concrete Subjected to Shear
Analysis and verification in the elastic and elastoplastic range. Ultimate limit state for shear: elements with and without shear reinforcement.

Serviceability Limit State Verifications
General. Maximum stress limit state in service. Deformability limit state. Cracking limit states.

Ultimate Limit States Induced by Deformations of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Stability verification of reinforced concrete elements: general procedure, simplified methods.

Sizing, Verification, and Basic Detailing Rules

Frontal lectures and exercises.

The final exam consists of a written test and an oral interview, usually held on the same day. The written test involves the simplified design of a steel or reinforced concrete element under various possible loading and support conditions. If the written test is evaluated positively, the student can proceed to the oral exam, which is mandatory to pass the course.