Tools

CE 331 Section 001: Intro to Structural Eng.

Fall 2011

3 Credit Hours
Primary Instructor: Dr. Jim Richardson
Core Designation: Computer Science
Syllabus subject to change.

Prerequisites

From the Student Records System
  • AEM 250 (undergrad) with a minimum grade of C-
  • And
  • CE 262 (undergrad) with a minimum grade of C-
  • And
  • AEM 264 (undergrad) with a minimum grade of C- (may be taken concurrently)

Student Learning Outcomes

Foundational Outcomes
  • Solve problems in mathematics through differential equations, probability and statistics, calculus-based physics, general chemistry, and one additional area of science.
Technical Outcomes
  • Analyze and solve problems in material science, mechanics of solids, and mechanics of fluids.
  • Apply relevant knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems, including:
    • BSCE: problems in at least four technical areas appropriate to civil engineering
    • BSConE: problems in construction processes, communications, methods, materials, systems, equipment, planning, scheduling, safety, economics, accounting, cost analysis and control, decision analysis, and optimization.
  • Design a system or process in more than one program-relevant civil or construction engineering specialty field to meet desired needs, including sustainability and within other realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, and constructability.
  • Explain key aspects of at least one traditional or emerging program-relevant area of advanced specialization.
Professional Practice Outcomes
  • Organize and deliver effective written, verbal, graphical and virtual communications.
  • Demonstrate attributes supportive of the professional practice of engineering; apply leadership principles to direct the efforts of a small group to solve a relatively constrained problem; and function effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team to solve open-ended engineering problems.

Outline of Topics

  • Analysis of trusses.  Students will learn how to:
    • Determine if a truss is unstable, stable and determinate or stable and indeterminate
    • Calculatie loads at truss panel points using tributary area
    • Calculate bar forces in select members due to dead loads
    • Use influence lines to calculate bar forces due to live loads
    • Check the strength of a member under combined loads
    • Calculate the deflection of a truss and compare with serviceability limits
  • Analysis of beams and columns
    • Determine if a beam or frame is unstable, stable and determinate, or stable and indeterminate
    • Calculate beam and column loads using tributary area
    • Calculate max shear and bending moment in a beam due to dead load
    • Usie influence lines to calculate max shear and moment in a beam due to live loads
    • Check the strength of a member under combined loads
    • Calculate the deflection of a beam and compare with serviceability limits
  • Introduction to steel design
  • Introduction to design of reinforced concrete beams

Grading Policy

Exams                                                                                      75%

Projects                                                                                    10%  -  20%*

Quizzes                                                                                     10%

Homework & Portfolios                                                            5%

 *students with an exam score average of 70% or better may apply up to 10 points of earned extra credit toward the course grade.

Policy on Missed Exams & Coursework

HW is due at the beginning of class on the due date.  Late HW will be accepted only if the student has notified the GTA by email prior to the beginning of class.

Missed quizzes will be excused (no effect on course grade) only if the student has notified the instructor by email prior to the beginning of class.

Missed exams during the semester may be excused by the instructor only if the student brings a doctor's note or other appropriate documentation. 

Required Texts

UA Supply Store Textbook Information

  • NONE / NO TEXT REQUIRED

FE Reference Handbook

FE-approved calculator 

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Policy on Academic Misconduct

All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.

The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

Disability Statement

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.

Severe Weather Protocol

In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar, sirens activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired provided at least half of the class period remains.

UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.

When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take. The Office of Public Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways:

  • Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage
  • Weather advisory sent out through Connect-ED--faculty, staff and students (sign up at myBama)
  • Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
  • Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
  • Weather advisories are broadcast via WUOA/WVUA-TV, which can be viewed across Central Alabama. Also, visit wvuatv.com for up-to-the-minute weather information. A mobile Web site is also available for your convenience.

Academic Honor Code

All students in attendance at The University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University of Alabama expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. At the beginning of the semester and on examinations and projects, you may be required to sign the following Academic Honor Pledge: "I promise or affirm that I will not at any time be involved with cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or misrepresentation while enrolled as a student at The University of Alabama. I have read the Academic Honor Code, which explains disciplinary procedure resulting from the aforementioned. I understand that violation of this code will result in penalties as severe as indefinite suspension from the University."