Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The design impact of building structures and construction systems is a significant factor in architectural design. The skills and knowledge to apply and integrate these technologies is an important architectural capability. This unit addresses these issues in the third year of the course at a time when you have demonstrated competencey in basic building technologies. While this unit has no prerequisites, achievement of the learning outcomes of units DAB330 and DAB435 should be considered as assumed knowledge for this unit.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to familiarise you with the qualitative influences of structural and construction systems on the design of buildings. In particular the possibilities and limitations of building structures are explored. The unit seeks to provide you with the broad ability to meaningfully utilise an understanding of structural and construction systems to advance the design development of low-rise commercial and industrial buildings.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit you should be able to demonstrate an ability to:

1. Identify, define and explain a range of structural systems and how they might work within a building design
2. Select appropriate structural and construction systems showing an understanding of their application and behaviour
3. Apply structural and commercial construction systems in a manner that informs design decisions, with particular focus of building form

Content

Topics covered in this unit include:

1. The qualitative nature of structural forces and systems
2. Stress and strain, and shear and bending
3. Static equilibrium
4. Structural loads
5. Traditional concrete and steel commercial buildings
6. Commercial construction systems for low-rise buildings
7. Pre-cast concrete and curtain wall cladding systems
8. Deflection and buckling
9. Moments and rotation
10. Structural limits

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Portions of the unit involve project-based learning experiences in which you will investigate increasingly complex commercial construction systems, and structural concepts in a series of activities/experiments. Some of these project-based activities/experiments will be conducted in groups (though assessment will be individual).

Teaching Mode: Hours per week:
Lecture: 1
Studio/Tutorial: 3

Learning Approaches:
Learning approaches will cover the following:
- Problem based learning (projects)
- Case studies
- Group activities and Team based learning
- Experiential learning
- Critical reflection

Assessment

Assessment will be based on two assignments, one of them being a 'design project'; this will require a range of analysis exercises to be performed in a structured order that will inform the development of an architectural proposition in response to a given brief. Formative feedback will be offered on assignment work during the semester at key times during tutorials. Further detail will be provided on "Assignment Handouts".

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.Tutors will offer formative feedback during the semester at key times to assist you in the development of your design project and completion of your logbook.

Assessment name: Design
Description: You will prepare and exhibit a set of drawings (images and models) describing your proposal for an architectural project; such that it exhibits deep understanding of the role of structure and construction in architectural design.
Relates to objectives: 2 and 3
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 9

Assessment name: Log/Workbook
Description: You will submit an A4 logbook of all your work in this unit comprising three main sections: write-up of experiments, contract documents (construction drawings), and development of the design proposal.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Examination period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Set text:
There is not set text, however the unit is supported by a 200 page 'Studyguide' available for download from the on-line learning environment (the Blackboard site).

Materials:
Participation in this unit will require a broad range of drafting equipment and artistic materials (which you are likely to already have from earlier units in the course). Along with written work, the unit will require you to prepare design drawings (analogue and/or digital), contract documents, and small 3D models (analogue).

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. While there are some 'experiments' they are conducted in standard teaching spaces using everyday materials and procedures that pose no particular risk.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 05-Oct-2012