Course content

Design principles. Mechanical properties of steels. Elastic and plastic capacity of members. Elastic and inelastic buckling of struts. Beam-columns. Yield-line theory of plates. Bolt and weld connectors. Introduction to design of structural joints.

Learning outcome

Steel Structures 1 is the first design course that the students meet in their specialization within Structural Engineering. Together with TKT4230 Steel Structures 2, it offers the students a rather comprehensive introduction to the field of design of steel structures. The two courses present the theoretical background for the methods of analysis and design as implemented in the design codes for steel structures, for the time being Eurocode 3. The topics of Steel Structures 1 are cross section capacity, buckling and connections.

Steel Structures 1 has these learning objectives:

Knowledge:
- Calculation of stresses in cross sections, applying theory of elasticity
- The lower-bound theorem of plasticity and how it can be applied in the development of interaction formulas for determination of plastic cross section capacity
- Saint Venant's torsional theory
- Elastic and inelastic buckling
- The main types of connections, i.e. bolts and welds
- Typical design of joints in steel structures.

Skills:
- Calculate the cross section capacity by the theory of elasticity or plasticity, and check the capacity to Eurocode 3
- Calculate shear stresses and twisting angle related to Saint Venant's torsion
- Determine the buckling length of members with elastic supports
- Check the capacity of columns and beam-columns to Eurocode 3
- Determine forces and stresses in bolted and welded connections
- Check the capacity of bolted and welded connections to Eurocode 3.

General competence:
- The theoretical foundation for analysis and design of steel structures
- The background for relevant clauses in Eurocode 3
- Calculate and design simple steel structures subjected to static loading.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, weekly assignments and a welding exercise in lab. 2/3 of the assignments must be approved prior to the examination. In case of delayed examination an oral examination may be given.

Compulsory assignments

• Written exercises and small project

Recommended previous knowledge

Knowledge of statics and strength of materials as taught in Mechanics 1 and 2 or equivalent courses at foreign universities.

Course materials

Per Kr. Larsen: Dimensjonering av stålkonstruksjoner (2. utgave), Tapir.
Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures, Part 1-1 and 1-8.
Stålkonstruksjoner - Profiler og formler, Tapir.
NS Trahair, MA Bradford, DA Nethercot, L Gardner: The Behaviour and Design of Steel Structures to EC3 (4th edition), Taylor & Francis.

Credit reductions