Appraisal of Existing Structures ENG4203

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Engineering
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The course purpose is to develop skills and knowledge in the appraisal of existing built structures to students already familiar with the theoretical framework and design practice of Structural Engineering. The course includes examination of the role of structural appraisals in informing decisions regarding reuse, refurbishment or safe continuous use of structures within the regulatory environmental and cultural context.

Timetable

1 lecture

2 hours of tutorials or workshop practice per week

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Examination 40%

Group Project: 60% (Individual task 30%; Group task 30%)

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This aim of this course is to introduce the core principles and practice of the appraisal of existing built structures to students who already have an understanding of and experience in applying the theoretical framework and design practice of structural engineering to new construction. The course also teaches practical skills including the critical evaluation and synthesis of different sources of information to inform decision making, including within the wider social and environmental context. This course also meets a fundamental industry requirement.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• describe (principally 19th and 20th Century) construction technologies, materials, design methodologies and civil engineering practices;

• appraise such historical construction techniques in regard to modern standards and safety practices, and construction durability, assessing both limitations and benefits;

• describe the current ethical and legal framework in which the cultural significance (e.g. listing/scheduling) and environmental value (e.g. embodied energy) of existing structures is assessed, defined and protected;

• formulate conceptual models of existing structures, suitable to evaluate their reuse, refurbishment or continued use, informed by both general and specific data sources, and by inspections/surveys;

•collate and synthesise the necessary information so that a proposed construction solution can be tested against the criteria outlined in a brief.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must attend the degree examination and submit at least 75% by weight of the other components of the course's summative assessment.

 

Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.

 

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates. Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.