49136 Application of Timber in Engineering Structures
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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 presents recent advances that have enhanced the role of timber as a versatile renewable resource with a wide range of applications in engineered structures. It familiarises students with the structural behaviour of engineering wood products, timber and timber-based manufactured products to facilitate the choice of materials, design, construction and maintenance procedures to produce cost-effective, durable and aesthetically pleasing structures. Quality control and reliability issues form an important focus. Particular requirements of large-span structures (including connection design) and the use of the limit-states version of AS1720 are addressed.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify differences between wood and timber. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Identify fundamentals of the material properties and natural characteristics of wood. (D.1) |
| 3. | Apply this knowledge in design of both timber elements and structural systems. (C.1) |
| 4. | Gain experience in design of residential timber framed construction, new flooring systems, portal frames and moment resisting connections and use of timber in multi-storey commercial buildings. (C.1) |
| 5. | Understand the concepts of durability design for timber structures. (D.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- 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.
- 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject delivery is based around the UTS teaching and learning model, using “problem based learning” workshops. There are no formal lectures. The subject content, which includes PowerPoint slides with associated podcasts, worked examples, additional resources and assessment tasks, are provided online.
The subject resources provide background information on the Timber Structures Code (AS1720.1-2010) and comprehensive “state of the art” design procedures for beams, columns, poles, connections and manufactured timber products. Students will need to either purchase or access copies of AS1720.1 and HB108.
The online self-paced workshop material covers topics such as production of the resources, understanding of basic element design and extending this knowledge to the design of specific structural systems, such as structural elements and systems that create timber based -residential and commercial buildings.
Students must use the provided resources in the same way as a graduate engineer seeking to develop specialist knowledge by self-learning. The face-to-face teaching sessions will then be used to provide discussion and clarify any queries about content and to facilitate applying that knowledge to develop design solutions for real-world buildings.
A number of resources – particularly the EXPAN design guides, represent the current “state-of-the-art” for design of commercial timber structures and are the outcomes of recently completed, large scale research and development projects undertaken by UTS and partner universities.
Feedback for Assessment task 1 will be provided to students progressively throughout the teaching session in order for students to re-evaluate and revise their models/calculations as many times as they wish before the submission date of the task. Qualitative feedback for Assessment tasks 2 and 3 will be provided in-class throughout the teaching session as students work on the Design Project progressively. Qualitative feedback on Assessment task 4 will be provided immediately after the presentation as part of the Q&A discussion.
Content (topics)
The material covered in this subject is divided into four sections:
- Timber Properties and Element Design
- This is essentially an overview/consolidation of the undergraduate course.
- Determination of Loads and Design of Long Span Timber Floors
- High performance composite flooring systems
- Design of Frames
- Beam and column support systems and bracing options
- Connection Systems and System Behaviour
- Connecting the elements together into an effective structural system
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Design Assignment
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students design a timber structural element based on Standards Australia AS1720.1 requirements to understand the fundamental behaviour of timber as a construction material and what parameters are required in the design of timber elements. |
|---|---|
| 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): D.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | No more than 12 pages in length |
Assessment task 2: Design Project – Part 1
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students design a commercial timber structure and determine the design requirements, and load calculations, to develop a Finite Element (FE) computer model of the structure and analyse the structure for its internal forces. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | No more than 17 pages in length (excluding appendices). |
Assessment task 3: Design Project – Part 2
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students design a commercial timber structure using the detailed design brief of the commercial building considered in Assessment Task 2: Design Project – Part 1 to undertake a detailed design of the structural elements of the building. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | No more than 14 pages in length (excluding appendices). |
Assessment task 4: Detailed Design Presentation
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students give a detailed presentation of the work they have carried out to prepare the detailed design of the building in Assessment Tasks 2 and 3. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | No more than 10 minutes in length for the presentation and 5 minutes in length for the questions and answers session. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
Boughton, G and Crews, K, Timber Design Handbook – HB108, Standards Australia, 2013
AS1720.1–1997 Timber Structures, Part 1: Design Methods, Standards Australia International, Sydney Class notes
Students will need to have access to or purchase copies of:
- SAA Timber Design Handbook (Limit States Design to AS1720.1) Boughton & Crews, HB108 – 2013
- Limit States Timber Structures Code AS1720.1 (2010)
Students will be given access to:
- Timber-concrete composite design guide
- Timber design guide
- Portal frame and moment resisting connection design guide
- Timber frame design guide
References
Wood in Australia – Bootle
Timber Engineering – Madsen