Details
Source: https://study.auckland.ac.nz/ords/r/uoa/catalogue/course?p6_code=CIVIL%20715 Parent: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/find-a-study-option/master-of-earthquake-engineering-meqeng.html
Content
Course Tabs
- Overview
- Teaching and Learning
- Assessment and Learning Outcomes
- Student Feedback, Support and Charter
Overview
Course Prescription
Design and detailing of prestressed and precast concrete components. Advanced mechanics of reinforced concrete members subject to axial, flexure, shear, and torsion actions. Design of state-of-art low-damage concrete structural systems. Includes an independent concrete design project and an independent research project on past failures of concrete structures.
Course Overview
Advanced Structural Concrete combines theoretical aspects of the design of reinforced concrete with more practical aspects. The course aim is to give students an insight into relevant issues affecting the design of reinforced concrete structures today. A strong emphasis is placed on “cutting edge” aspects of concrete construction and the course content is regularly updated to include new developments from both research and practice.
Advanced Structural Concrete builds on knowledge gained from previous courses on the design of reinforced concrete. The focus of the course is on introducing students to “high performance” concrete, including prestressed, precast, concrete materials, and low-damage seismic resisting systems. Methods of analysis and design for these advanced materials are introduced. In addition, methods are taught that allow students to analyse the actual response of concrete members beyond the simplified expressions developed for design practice.
This is a level 9 course and contains a design project and research project that require independent research and analysis to identify solutions to complex structural engineering problems.
Key Topics
The course consists of three main modules:
- Prestressed concrete
- Mechanics and response of reinforced concrete members (axial, moment, shear)
- Precast concrete structures and low-damage seismic systems
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 2 hours reviewing the weekly module content, 3 hours for the lecture, 1 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 4 hours of work on assessments.
Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions
Prerequisite : must have completed 1 of CIVIL 313/STRCTENG 303
Locations and Semesters Offered
| Location | Semester |
|---|---|
| City | Semester One |
Teaching and Learning
Campus Experience
Course material will be delivered using CANVAS and will be available at course commencement.
Attendance is expected at scheduled lectures to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The course delivery will include a hybrid of online resources and in-person classes. Students will be expected to review the weekly modules on CANVAS prior to class. The scheduled lectures will be used for a combination of reviewing key concepts, worked examples, discussions, and other interactive exercises.
Learning Resources
Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Health and Safety
Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.
There are no lab or field activities for this course.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:
- Honesty - in all aspects of research work
- Accountability - in the conduct of research
- Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
- Good stewardship – on behalf of others
- Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
- Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible
For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.
Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.
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Assessment and Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
| CLO # | Outcome | Programme Capability Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate mastery in the analysis and design of prestressed concrete members. Evaluate the efficiency of prestressed solutions against a range of design criteria. | MEqEng - Master of Earthquake Engineering - Programme Capabilities Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, computing and engineering fundamentals, and an engineering specialisation, considering multiple perspectives and knowledge systems to develop solutions to complex engineering problems. ( WA1) Create, select, apply, and recognize limitations of appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools, including, measurements, modelling and prediction, to solve complex engineering problems. (WA5) Design creative solutions for complex engineering problems and design systems, components or processes to meet identified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, whole-life cost, net zero carbon, as well as resource, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations as required. (WA3) |
| 2 | Demonstrate mastery in the analysis and design of concrete members for axial, moment, and shear actions, including consideration of full loading response and the implications to seismic design provisions and detailing practice. | MEqEng - Master of Earthquake Engineering - Programme Capabilities Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, computing and engineering fundamentals, and an engineering specialisation, considering multiple perspectives and knowledge systems to develop solutions to complex engineering problems. ( WA1) Create, select, apply, and recognize limitations of appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools, including, measurements, modelling and prediction, to solve complex engineering problems. (WA5) |
| 3 | Understand the application of precast concrete components in reinforcement concrete design and critically assess the implemented solutions when considering factors beyond the design (e.g., constructability, reliability, economics, etc.). | MEqEng - Master of Earthquake Engineering - Programme Capabilities Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, computing and engineering fundamentals, and an engineering specialisation, considering multiple perspectives and knowledge systems to develop solutions to complex engineering problems. ( WA1) |
| 4 | Design state-of-art low-damage seismic resisting systems including post-tensioned walls and slotted beams. Assess the system interactions in concrete buildings and the importance of deformation compatibility in connections. | MEqEng - Master of Earthquake Engineering - Programme Capabilities Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, computing and engineering fundamentals, and an engineering specialisation, considering multiple perspectives and knowledge systems to develop solutions to complex engineering problems. ( WA1) Create, select, apply, and recognize limitations of appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools, including, measurements, modelling and prediction, to solve complex engineering problems. (WA5) Design creative solutions for complex engineering problems and design systems, components or processes to meet identified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, whole-life cost, net zero carbon, as well as resource, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations as required. (WA3) |
| 5 | Apply concrete mechanics principles to analyse and interpret previously reported failures in concrete structures. | MEqEng - Master of Earthquake Engineering - Programme Capabilities Use knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering principles, and research literature to identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex engineering problems and reach substantiated conclusions. (WA2) Conduct investigations of complex engineering problems using research methods, research-based knowledge, design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of information to provide valid conclusions. (WA4) Design creative solutions for complex engineering problems and design systems, components or processes to meet identified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, whole-life cost, net zero carbon, as well as resource, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations as required. (WA3) Communicate effectively, respectfully and inclusively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large, such as being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, taking into account cultural, language, and learning differences using a range of technologies and formats. (WA10) |
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Assessment Percentage | Assessment Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Design project | 25 | Individual Coursework |
| Research project | 25 | Individual Coursework |
| Quizzes | 5 | Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 45 | Individual Examination |
Additional Information on Assessment
A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy.
Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.Late submissions will not be accepted/allowed for exam, tests, and quizzes.
It is possible to submit late for the assignments and the late submission penalty schedule will be included in the assignment handouts.
Assessment to CLO Mapping
| Assessment Type | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design project | |||||
| Research project | |||||
| Quizzes | |||||
| Final Exam |
Student Feedback, Support and Charter
Student Feedback
Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Additional Information on Student Feedback
Based on feedback from students, this course has been shifted to on-campus delivery as opposed to the online delivery during previous semesters. Course content will continue to be delivered using the CANVAS modules with the lectures used to reinforce the key concepts including interactive exercises. Regular quizzes will be added as part of the assessment mix.
Class representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Tuākana
Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor. Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.
Wellbeing
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.
Student Academic Complaints and Disputes
Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.
Course - V7
CIVIL 715 - Advanced Structural Concrete - Level 9 - V3.1 - Effective From: Summer Semester 2026 (Published: 2026-01-27)