Framework for structural design learning
Featoures 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 the key actions in reducing the risk of unsatisfactory outcomes. Therefore having a formal approach to the satisfaction of requirements is fundamental to good practice.
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.
That seems to be a lot of stages but one could add 'Re-use' and 'Decommissioning to the list.
For student project work, a simpler form of the Plan of Work might be used - such as shown in Figure 2.
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
| 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.
The Brief established at Stage 1 should not relate to a specific structural form.
The Brief is developed at Stage 2 will relate to information from the options analysis..
Changes to the Brief should be avoided, if practical, after Stage 2.
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 in the IStructE Plan of Work.
It is recommended that the Design pProposal 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