OVERVIEW

The course provides the fundamental principles of structural engineering applied to steel structures, with particular emphasis on materials, structural design, and the verification of structural systems. The theoretical framework is complemented by a number of case studies, some of which are developed in full, from structural analysis and design through to the preparation of detailed construction drawings and project documentation.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

 The module aims to provide students with the fundamental concepts of structural design for steel structures, building upon the knowledge acquired in Module 1. It seeks to develop the methodological, theoretical, and regulatory foundations required for the analysis, design, and verification of structural members, as well as for the design of joints and connections, including both bolted and welded connections.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the module, with reference to simple steel structural systems, students will be able to:
Model and analyse beams and beam systems, translating real structures into appropriate structural models, identifying support conditions, modelling loads (including snow and wind actions), and defining the mechanical properties of materials according to the probabilistic Limit State Design approach.
Design and verify structural members, carrying out the sizing and checking of elements subjected to simple and combined loading conditions (axial tension/compression combined with bending), addressing stability-related issues and designing bolted and welded connections in accordance with the applicable technical standards and design codes.
Prepare structural design documents, including calculation reports and detailed construction drawings, complete with steelwork fabrication drawings and workshop detailing of structural components and connections.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of Mechanics of Materials is required. In particular, the following topics are considered essential:
geometry of masses - area, centroid, first moments of area, and moments of inertia;
analysis of statically determinate structures - determination of internal forces (axial force, shear force, bending moment) and plotting of the corresponding diagrams, as well as a qualitative understanding of statically indeterminate structures;
concepts of stress and strain - normal and shear stresses, strains, elastic moduli (Young's modulus and shear modulus), constitutive laws (stress-strain relationships), and the relationship between internal forces and the stress state within the cross-section;
differential relationships between loads, internal forces, displacements, and rotations for beams.
Additionally, students are expected to express themselves using appropriate technical terminology, accurately perform basic engineering calculations, and rigorously apply units of measurement.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures are delivered using either traditional methods (blackboard or video projector) or multimedia tools in the case of distance learning. The course includes the possibility of a field trip aimed at analyzing and evaluating existing steel structures on-site. The professor provides teaching materials and lecture outlines on AulaWeb, along with recommended textbooks. Theoretical lectures are complemented by practical application examples and a numerical lab dedicated to developing a design project. The design phase is interactive: solutions chosen by students are discussed with the professor and optimized for specific design scenarios to stimulate the students' ability to find the most suitable structural solutions.

Students with a certified learning disability (DSA), a disability, or other special educational needs are invited to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course to discuss teaching and examination arrangements that, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take individual learning needs into account and provide appropriate accommodations.
Please also note that requests for exam accommodations or exemptions must be submitted using the form available at this link
https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti#no-back , to the course professor, the DIME contact person (federico.scarpa@unige.it), and the relevant office ( inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it) at least seven working days before the examination, in accordance with the guidelines available at this link
https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/richiesta-servizi

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Classification of cross-sections: ultimate limit states for tension, compression, bending, shear, and torsion (introduction).
Lateral-torsional buckling of members in bending. Local instability and plate buckling.
Welded connections: welding technology and processes. Types of welded joints. Resistance and strength verifications.
Bolted connections: types and technology of bolted joints. Shear and tension connections, resistance verifications. Calculation and design of joints under tension, compression, and bending.
Practical sessions / Tutorials: preparation of the design project for a simple single-story structural system, including the structural report, technical drawings, and construction details.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ballio, Mazzolani "Strutture in acciaio", Hoepli, 1987 e succ.
Bernuzzi, "Progetto e verifica delle strutture in acciaio", Hoepli, 2018
Caffè, "Acciao", Grafill 2016
Scibilia, "Progetto di Strutture in acciaio", Flaccovio 2011

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11949/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral examination that begins with the discussion of the design project (preferably developed during the lecture semester) and continues with questions on the theoretical content of the course and the verification of simple structural systems. Prior to the oral interview, the professor reserves the right to assign a written question regarding the design or verification of elementary structural systems. For Erasmus students, the examination may be conducted entirely in written form. The final grade will be determined by taking into account both the quality of the submitted project documents and the outcome of the exam (oral and any written part). In case of failure, students may retake the exam at a subsequent session, provided that a minimum interval of one month has elapsed (fatte salve eccezioni valutate dal docente / except for specific exceptions evaluated by the professor).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam consists of an oral interview centered on the review and discussion of the design project developed by the student, followed by questions on the topics covered during lectures. With reference to simple steel structures, students must demonstrate the ability to identify suitable structural models, recognizing constraint systems, and modeling loads (including snow and wind) and material mechanical properties. Furthermore, they must be able to perform the sizing and verification of structural elements subjected to simple and combined stresses, addressing stability and buckling issues, and designing the corresponding bolted and welded connections.
Students must be capable of justifying the design choices made in the project developed during the year, showing critical reasoning skills regarding their work. They must also be able to correctly apply units of measurement, solve simple structural schemes, perform basic preliminary calculations, and properly use profile tables, handbooks, standards, and textbooks, while providing engineering graphical representations of the structure and its details. The final grade (out of 30) is awarded at the end of the oral examination.