Course content

Design principles. Material properties of steel. Elastic and plastic capacity of members. Elastic and inelastic buckling of struts. Beam-columns. Bolted and welded connectors. Introduction to design of structural joints.

Learning outcome

Steel Structures 1 is the first design course for students in their specialization within Structural Engineering. Together with TKT4230 Steel Structures 2 the course offers a rather comprehensive introduction to the field of design of steel structures. The two courses present application of and the theoretical background for the methods of analysis and design as implemented in the design codes for steel structures, for the time being Eurocode 3. The topics of Steel Structures 1 are cross section capacity, buckling and connections. The scope is limited to static loads.

Steel Structures 1 has these learning objectives:

Knowledge:

• Calculation of stresses in cross sections, applying theory of elasticity
• The lower-bound theorem of plasticity and how it can be applied in the development of interaction formulas for determination of plastic cross section capacity
• Saint Venant's torsional theory
• Elastic and inelastic buckling
• The main types of connections, i.e. bolts and welds
• Typical design of joints in steel structures.

Skills:

• Determine the necessary size of a cross-section, for use as axial force member, beam or column, such that it can carry the applied loading.
• Calculate the cross section capacity by the theory of elasticity or plasticity, and check the capacity to Eurocode 3
• Calculate shear stresses and twisting angle related to Saint Venant's torsion
• Determine the buckling length of members with elastic supports
• Check the capacity of columns and beam-columns to Eurocode 3
• Determine forces and stresses in bolted and welded connections
• Check the capacity of bolted and welded connections to Eurocode 3.

General competence:

• The theoretical foundation for analysis and design of steel structures
• The background for relevant clauses in Eurocode 3
• Calculate and design simple steel structures subjected to static loading.

Digital competence: Skilled use of finite element program for frame and truss structures as a tool for design of steel structures. Interpretation and assessment of results from calculations with such programs.

Sustainability competence: The course serves to give the students appropriate skills to design safe, cost-effective and sustainable steel structures with long service life.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, weekly assignments and computer exercises. 2/3 of the assignments and computer exercises must be approved prior to the examination.

Compulsory assignments

• Written exercises and small project

Recommended previous knowledge

Knowledge of statics and strength of materials as taught in TKT4116/TKT4118 Mechanics 1 and TKT4122/TKT4123 Mechanics 2 or equivalent courses at foreign universities.

Course materials

Per Kr. Larsen: Dimensjonering av stålkonstruksjoner (last issue), Fagbokforlaget.

NS-EN 1993 (Eurocode 3): Design of steel structures, Part 1-1 and 1-8.

Stålkonstruksjoner - Profiler og formler, Fagbokforlaget.

NS Trahair, MA Bradford, DA Nethercot, L Gardner: The Behaviour and Design of Steel Structures to EC3 (4th edition), Taylor & Francis.

Credit reductions