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2025-2026 / GCIV2030-2

Structural Design of Buildings

Duration

15h Th, 30h Pr, 40h Proj.

Number of credits

 Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Architectural Engineering4 crédits 

Lecturer

Jean-François Demonceau

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental concepts needed to design and pre-dimension building structures. In particular, the following concepts will be covered:

  • Loads and load combinations
  • Brief review of basic concepts in structure statics, and strength and behaviour of materials
  • Concepts of statics in hyperstatic structures
  • Load transfert within structural systems
  • Presentation of how the most common structural elements work, taken individually
  • Concept of structural frame behaviour
  • Case studies
 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Learning outcomes at the end of this course:

  • Knowledge of the different actions affecting a building structure + their order of magnitude
  • Knowledge of the different combinations of actions that must be considered when designing a building structure
  • Pre-design method for determining the main dimensions of structural elements
  • Ability to perform load calculations (gravitational and horizontal)
At the end of this course, the students will be able to design future projects taking into account the structural requirements as early as possible in the design process.

This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, II.2, III.2, V.1, V.2, VI.2, VII.2, VII.3 of the BSc in engineering.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Prerequesite:

- Notion of mechanic of materials (MECA0001-2)

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Combination of theoretical courses, exercises and projects.

Some of the concepts covered in class will also be applied in projects to be completed in class and at home.

Completion of projects and attendance at practical sessions are compulsory.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face. Slideshow during ex cathedra class, along with some documentation if necessary.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam

Written work / report

Out-of-session test(s)


Further information:

Assessment will be continuous throughout the quadimestre. The continuous assessment mark will be based on:

A) a mark out of 20 for carrying out a load descent in the framework of a test;

B) a mark out of 20 for group project aiming at describing the structure of an existing building structure;

C) a mark out of 20 for a written exam on theoretical concepts addressed through the different lessons and project presentations.

The final mark is obtained as follows: NF = 0.2*A + 0.4*B + 0.4*C

In case of a second session, a written exam on theoretical concepts and load descent will be organised (D). The final mark for the second session will be obtained as follows: NF = 0.4*B + 0.6*C





 

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Prof. Jean-François Demonceau 
Tél. 04 366 93 58
e-mail : jfdemonceau@uliege.be

Assistant :

Ir. Loïc Archambeau
loic.archambeau@uliege.be 

Secrétariat :

Laurence Defrère
Institut du Génie Civil B52
Tél. 04 366 93 57
Laurence.Defrere@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online

Chap. 2: Essentials
Essentials of statcs and vocabulary of material behaviour

Instructions for presentations
Some instruction for your presentations