49131 Bridge Design
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): (48389 Computer Modelling and Design AND (120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)))
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of design and construction of bridges, using a problem-based learning approach that focuses on extensive use of examples from practice and detailed case studies. Three essential themes are used to cover the course material: overview of appropriate structural forms for bridges; load and analysis models/methods for designing bridges and quantifying structural behaviour; and state-of-the-art technologies in bridge design and construction. The course material has been developed jointly by specialist bridge engineers.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply fundamental knowledge of design and construction of bridges to evaluate concept designs, detailed designs and selection of structural components for a bridge. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Select appropriate load and analysis models for quantifying the structural behaviour of bridges. (C.1) |
| 3. | Design foundation and soil retaining structures of bridges based on geotechnical data. (C.1) |
| 4. | Understand hydrologic and hydraulic aspects of waterway bridges. (D.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
- 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject includes 3 hours of workshops and tutorial sessions each week that focus on explaining the concepts in this subject and fostering problem-solving skills. The workshops are complemented by presentations of state-of-the-art technologies in bridge design and construction, and are further supported by online summaries and readings. The teaching staff will discuss the online learning materials during class time and provide further demonstration through practical examples and case studies. Students are encouraged to read through the prescribed material and attempt exercise problems prior to attending the workshops so that they can actively participate in class discussions and problem-solving activities.
The assessment tasks are designed for students to work with a wide range of data inputs and apply innovative design thinking. Discussion and feedback on the progress of assessments tasks is incorporated into the workshops and tutorial sessions.
Content (topics)
Topics include:
- Bridge structural systems and construction materials.
- Principles and philosophy of structural loading, analysis, modelling and design of bridges.
- Design aspects of concrete, timber, steel and composite deck bridges.
- Hydrologic and hydraulic aspects of waterway bridges.
- Geotechnical aspects of bridges foundations and soil-supporting structures.
- Case studies and bridge engineering practice.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Concept Bridge Design Report
| Intent: | To apply fundamental knowledge of bridge design and construction in selecting an appropriate bridge type, in order to develop concept designs of bridges that meet the needs of a client. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | No more than 15 pages in length. |
Assessment task 2: Preliminary Bridge Design and Analysis Report
| Intent: | The aim of the assessment task is to select appropriate loading and conduct the structural analysis to determine the design load. This assessment task relates to topics covered in lectures 3-7 and involves designing a typical bridge. The actual type of bridge will be specified in the project brief such as a cable stayed bridge across a river with a concrete deck. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | No more than 20 pages in length. |
Assessment task 3: Steel and Composite Bridge Design Report
| Intent: | To apply concepts taken from Australian Standard AS5100 for the preliminary design of a steel and composite bridge and undertake accurate technical calculations to account for the bearing capacity of the composite sections. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | No more than 20 pages in length. |
Assessment task 4: Bridge Design Hydrologic/Hydraulic Report
| Intent: | To account for the hydrologic and hydraulic aspects in bridge design by undertaking accurate technical calculations. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | No more than 10 pages in length. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Recommended texts
There is no standard textbook used in this subject. Writing your own notes is a necessity for this subject.
Lecture notes, lecture/tutorial session notes and tutorial worksheets will be made available on Canvas prior to class. Students are required to read the relevant handouts prior to attending class.
References
- AS5100-2004, Australian Standards ‘Bridge Design’.
- AS3600-2009, Australian Standards ‘Reinforced concrete Design’.
- AS4100-2004, Australian Standards ‘Steel Design’.
- AASHTO, “Standard Specification for Highway Bridges”, 16th Edition, 1996.
- BS5400-2, “Steel, Concrete and Composite Bridges. Specification for Loads”, part 2, 1988, British Standards.
- “Bridge Engineering Handbook “, Edited by W.F. Chen & Lian Duan, CRC Press, 2000.
Other resources
Forums are available to students on Canvas discussion board as follows:
- Subject administration forum - students should use this forum to post any questions they have relating to subject assessment. Students should also use this forum to post any queries they have relating to administrative matters.
- Subject technical content forum - students should use this forum to post any questions they have relating to learning content covered during the lecture/tutorial and laboratory sessions . Students should also use this forum to post any queries and/or questions they have relating to past examination papers.
Students should use these forums in two ways:
- Post and answer questions to help all students better understand the content taught
- To check and communicate with teaching staff if clarification of certain matters is required