Framework for structural design learning

The framework is a collection of ideas/information that may be used by learners of structural engneering design

Features of the framework include ethos, examples, guidance and processes.

There is strong focus on the use of a structural design brief that is a comprehensive list of requirements. Identifying all requirements and ensuring that they are satisfactorily addressed are key actions in reducing the risk of unsatisfactory outcomes. 

Ethos

Ethos is about how you think, the principles that guide your actions. It is about being a critical thinker. Structural design is a very good context for developing skil in critical thinking. Critical thinkers submit to a discipline for establishing outcomes that best satisfy the goals. For ideas about learning to be a critical thinker see this paper.

Examples

It is very useful for learners to have available examples of typical outcomes.

The Footbridge and Industrial Building examples are provided for this purpose.

Guidance

See here.

Processes

Working with processes and seeking to improve them is a core issue in good design.

The Structural Design Process

See here.

Process mapping

The Institution of Structural Egineers publises a Structural Plan of Work that sets out an overall process for structural engineers working on a project for a building. It is based on the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work

The stages in the IStructE Plan of Work are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 IStructE Structural Plan of Work

That seems to be a lot of stages but 'Re-use' and 'Decommissioning stages could be added to the list.

For student project work, a simpler form of the Plan of Work might be used - such as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Simplified process map for structural design

Design Plan

In any complex operation, it is important to work to a plan.

The modelling process

See here.

Control strategies

See here

Design Documents

Key output documents are shown in Table 1

Table 1  Stage activities and outcomes

Stage	Activities	Design documents
0	Receive client brief and initial site information.	1.  Client requirements
1	Develop the Structural Design Brief. Develop the Site Information Document.	2.     Structural Design Brief (Stage 1) 3.     Site information document
2	Carry out an options analysis. Decide on the option to be used. Develop a partial design for the structure.	4.     Structural Design Brief (Stage 2) 5.     Options Analysis Report 6.     Design Proposal for Stage 4
4	Develop the complete structural design	7.     Production information: drawings and specifications 8.     Design verification report

Client requirements

The client requirements that relate to the structure.

Site information

This document may include information about:  topography, existing site features, former usage, services, ground conditions, etc.

Structural design brief

This is a collection of all requirements that may affect the structural design including information about the processes to be used. If working with the RIBA Paln of Work, it can be viewed as a sub-section of the Project Brief.

The brief is established at Stage 1. At this stage it should, if practical, not relate to a specific structural form.

The brief is developed at Stage 2 based on information from the options analysis..

Changes to the brief should be avoided, if practical, after Stage 2.

This guidance about the project brief in the RIBA plan of work states that: "The project brief is likely to be presented as a report, however, where possible, information and requirements should be scheduled in a database or spreadsheet format that will be easy to expand and will be easy to use to test whether proposals satisfy requirements later in the project." Such a schedule can be viewed as a design process map or an extended plan of work. Use of a schedule of this type for the structural design is reoommended.

Options analysis Report

A report on how a set of options was developed to a degree of detail sufficient to assess them against the requirements leading to a decision on the form of structure to be used.

Design Proposal for Stage 4

This document is similar to the Approval in Principle document for bridges and to the Basis of Structural Design document described for the IStructE Plan of Work.

It is recommended that the Design Proposal for Stage 4 includes:

1.  Project description

2.  Reference to documents:

        Client brief

        Site Information

        Structural Design Brief (Stage 2)

        Options Analysis Report

3.  Information about the proposed structure - what has been decided at the end of Stage 2 mainly as a result of the options analysis.

4. Statements in relation to the design brief items in terms of:

        What has been addressed at the end of Stage 2.

        Actions needed at Stage 4 to ensure that all requirements have been properly addressed.

Design verification report

This report demonstrates that the mandatory requirements have been satisfied and how the non-mandatory requirements have been addressed.

It records validation of the processes used and how the processes were verified.

It serves as a record of what has been done for archiving purposes.

Typical contents of a verification report:

1. Modelling

     Description of the models used.

     Modelling reviews: model validation, results verification

2.  Code of practice calculations.

      Record of calculations

      Record of verification processes

3. Stability and Robustness report.

4.  Sustainability Report

5.  Access and Maintenance strategy

6.  Cost analysis

7.  Construction

Methods statement

CDM report