Course Syllabus (Fall 2011)

Course Description:

This course explores the interrelations between building functions, loads, structural system, materials and construction methods. Topics addressed are structural building layout, design, structural detailing, and documentation of predominantly large-scale buildings and other structures made of steel, concrete, engineered wood and masonry.

Students will be exposed to a wide range of topics centered around structural systems and will be encouraged to develop an integrated approach to planning that considers efficient and appropriate structural solutions. Concept-based design projects and assignments will provide an opportunity to practice this approach.

Emphasis is placed in this course on development of efficient structural form, conceptual and preliminary structural design (using software and approximate calculation methods), integrated design and structural detailing.

Meetings: Fall Term – Mon, Wed 9:05-11:00, Holdsworth 306
Credits: 3
SPIRE: 37944 (Fall 2011)

Topics:

  1. Systems, pattern and precedent
    1. Regulatory constraints
    2. Structural loads
  2. Form, organization and layout
  3. Horizontal systems
  4. Vertical systems
  5. Lateral systems
  6. Long-span structures
    1. Approximate and preliminary design
    2. Designing using software
    3. Optimal design
  7. Material performance: Properties, uses and detailing

You can find a detailed schedule here (PDF).

Required Text:

  • Ching, Onouye, Zuberbuhler, “Building structures illustrated – Patterns, systems and design“.
    J. Wiley & Sons, ISBN: 978-0-470-18785-2, $45

Optional Literature:

I expect you to have access to all of these reference books (these should either be available in your studio or in the library):

  • Ramsey, Sleeper “Architectural Graphic Standards – Student Edition”.  J. Wiley & Sons
  • Allen, Iano, “The Architect’s Studio Companion: Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design“. J. Wiley & Sons
  • Massachusetts building code (780 CMR). Online available here.
  • International Building Code (2009 edition): IBC

Other:

  • Allen, Zalewski, “Form and Forces“. J. Wiley & Sons – A beautiful book on the topic of creating efficient structures (mostly using visual methods)
  • Place, “Architectural Structures“. J. Wiley & Sons – A similar book to our textbook with more technical information
  • Killory, Davids, “Details in Contemporary Architecture“. Princeton Architectural Press – A book full of great details for structure, facade etc.
  • Lyall, “Masters of Structure“. Laurence King – Architectural case studies with a structural focus.
  • Simmons, Olin, “Construction – Principles, Materials and Methods”. J. Wiley & Sons – A reference book on methods and materials
  • Onouye and Kane, “Statics and Strength of Materials for Architecture and Building Construction”. Pearson Education, Prentice Hall – This was the required text for BCT 530 / Tectonics 2 “Mechanics of Building Materials for Construction”
  • Frampton, “Studies in Tectonic Culture“. MIT Press – An extensive essay collection on the “poetics of construction”
  • Salvadori, “Why Buildings Stand Up”. Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc. – A great $20 reader on the general subject

Journals:

  • DETAIL – A journal with great architectural detail documentation. I believe copies are available in the Smith College Art Library.

Software:

  • IES VisualAnalysis (version 8) is the software installed on the UMass OIT computers. I like this one because it is a very easy to use structural analysis program. A great feature is that you can import geometry through DXF, which simplifies working with other software (e.g. AutoCAD, Rhino) when dealing with non-regular shapes. You can use this program on any of the OIT computers (in the library for example) for free.
    I will provide you in class with a FREE license for a student version that you may install on your own computers.

Instructor:

Alexander SchreyerAlexander C. Schreyer, Dipl.-Ing, M.A.Sc.

Office: Holdsworth Hall, Room 125
Office hours: TBA & by appointment (send email)
Email: schr…@eco.umass.edu
Phone: +1 (413) 545-1976

Department: http://eco.umass.edu/index.php/people/faculty/schreyer-alexander-c/
Web: www.alexschreyer.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/alexschreyernet/156464324378458
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/alexschreyer
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alexschreyer

Rules, Exams and Grading:

Your course grade will consist of these components (some are group work):

50% – Assignments (approximately 5)
20% – Final design project
20% – Midsemester and final quiz (10% each)
10% – In-class participation

The grading scheme will follow this metric:

A ≥ 93.0 % | A− = 90.0-92.9 %
B+ = 87.0-89.9 % | B = 83.0-86.9 % | B− = 80.0-82.9%
C+ = 77.0-79.9 % | C = 73.0-76.9 % | C− = 70.0-72.9 %
D+ = 67.0-69.9 % | D = 60.0-66.9 %
F < 60.0 %

Prerequisite: Tectonics 2 (BCT 530) – An understanding of forces and moments, force systems, free-body diagrams, trusses and moment and shear diagrams.

Corequisite: none

Required Skills: Students should be familiar with computers (this is not tied to a particular operating system, but familiarity with CAD applications and Office is expected). Students must have internet access to download some course material, communicate via e-mail and access the course website. On-campus computers are available in many locations, in the library for example.

Attendance: Regular class attendance is strongly encouraged but not mandatory.

Absences: Whenever possible, unavoidable absences for classes and exams need to be discussed with the instructor prior to the class or the exam (in person or send an e-mail). Appropriate documentation will be required. After-the-fact notifications will only be accepted if no possibility of prior submittal existed. If students must miss an exam due to a university-accepted reason, the instructor must be contacted before the exam (if possible) to arrange for a solution to this problem. Other than for accepted reasons, make-up exams will not be given.

Students are responsible for obtaining missed course material. Only portions of the full lecture content are available on the course website.

Late hand-in: Due dates will be set at the time of assignment and are published on the question sheet. Assignments and lab reports must be submitted on time. Late submittal (without prior instructor approval) will incur the following grade adjustments: -5% per day (including weekends) until the day, when the solutions are published and/or the corrected work is returned. After that point, students will receive 0% (an F) for the missed hand-in.

Grievance Procedure: If students feel that an awarded grade is not accurate for whatever reason, they may dispute it by submitting a written explanation together with the marked material to the instructor within two weeks of receiving the marked material.

Special Needs: All reasonable efforts will be made to meet the individual needs of the student. If students have a learning disability or need special accommodation please make an appointment with the instructor to discuss your needs. I also encourage students to contact me if they are international (or otherwise new to the English language) in need of help for climbing the “language barrier”.

All discussions will be kept strictly confidential.

Academic Honesty: The University Academic Honesty Policy applies. This policy can be found in the Undergraduate Rights and Responsibilities (at http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/codeofconduct/acadhonesty/) and covers plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and facilitating dishonesty. Occurrences of any of those practices will be dealt with according to university policy.

Original write-up of homework is required by each group/individual (as applicable) for a given assignment or lab report.

Classroom Behavior: As per building policy, it is not permitted to consume food in the classroom. Smoking is also prohibited. Students are strongly encouraged to turn all cell-phones or other electronic communications devices (or such software if you are using a computer) off during class time.

Any disruptive behavior will be sanctioned appropriately.

No component of the course (printed and online materials, lectures, labs, discussion sessions etc.) may be recorded (audio or video), broadcast or re-published without the written consent of the instructor.

Course Website: http://blogs.umass.edu/archdes653-schreyer