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2025-2026 / GCIV2184-1

Masonry Structures

Duration

20h Th, 20h Pr

Number of credits

 Master MSc. in Civil Engineering, professional focus in civil engineering3 crédits 

Lecturer

Hervé Degée

Language(s) of instruction

English 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 focuses on the construction and design methods of modern load-bearing masonry structures. It covers the following aspects:

- Materials

- Overall stability of masonry structures

- Verification methods for masonry walls according to Eurocode 6 and STS 22 (stability under vertical and horizontal loads)

- Specific aspects related to construction, with a focus on the Belgian situation

- Special issues (reinforced masonry, arches)

The concepts and methods are first applied to simple exercises and then extended to the verification of a complete building.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

- control and design modern load-bearing masonry structures

- identify the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials used in modern masonry

- integrate masonry structural elements into a broader construction context (interactions with floors, lintels, roofs, etc.)

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge of Strength of Materials and Structural Mechanics.

Basic knowledge of Construction Materials

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course includes:

- some theoretical sessions to define the context and general principles

- basic exercises designed to learn the verification methods per load case (compression, in-plane bending, out-of-plane bending)

- the overall stability assessment of a load-bearing masonry building (building of the students' choice, to be analyzed individually or in groups of two)

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

Face-to-face course

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Provision of

- Theoretical course materials (slides)

- Sample solutions to basic exercises

- A list of reference documents

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Further information:

The assessment is based on:

* A design report including:

- a critical discussion of the execution choices

- an analysis of the working of the structure

- a verification of the most critical elements from a stability perspective

This report is due at the end of the semester, before the exam session (individual report or in groups of two students, depending on the project chosen)

* An oral exam consisting essentially of a critical discussion of the above report with the instructor, assessing the student's overall knowledge of the subject matter

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Association of one or more MOOCs