Simple Structural Models for the Education of Structural Engineers at Graz University

Abstract

As a part of the reorganization of the civil engineering curriculum at the Graz University of Technology, a new course entitled “Design Models” was developed about 10 years ago. This course is scheduled during the first period of study, along with courses primarily dealing with natural sciences e.g., mathematics and mechanics . Therefore, the course is the first lecture in structural engineering for the students. The objective of the course is the presentation of the fundamentals on modelling and design in structural engineering. Furthermore, lectures include a presentation of design rules for simple structural elements such as beams, columns and trusses in steel, reinforced concrete, and timber. The design rules include cross-section design and member design, with a discussion of flexural and lateral torsional buckling of beams and columns. As a part of design exercises, every student must design a specific simple structure made from each of these individual materials. So the students get an idea of the different cross-section dimensions, depending on the specific material. Professor Greiner, the former lecturer of the course, proposed the idea of using structural models as a learning aid. Implementation was achieved by the writer, who is now the lecturer of the course. The main reason for the use of structural models is to show the different failure modes, such as cross-section failures, flexural and lateral torsional buckling of structural members, local buckling, and failures under concentrated loads, which are the basis for theoretical design rules. An important requirement for structural models is that they are simple, with respect to the stresses and internal forces within the individual structural members, because of the student’s limited knowledge of statics.