Bridges

Code:

MESTEC18

Acronym:

PONT

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Construction and Civil Engineering

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Civil Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Civil Engineering Structures

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MESTEC	3	Syllabus	2	-	6	49	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course is focused on the conception and design of Bridges having as fundamental lines the structural analysis and the design, including the particularities of this type of structures, namely the nature of the loads, the structural systems and the relevance of the construction process.

Additionally, it is also provided some knowledge about bridges history and socio-environmental and management concepts associated with the design, construction and operation of bridges.

Learning outcomes and competences

After the attendance of this course the student should:

- Know the technical terminology of Bridge Engineering;

- Have reasonable notions of the Bridges History, relating the chronological evolution of the use of materials and building systems with the evolution of technology and knowledge;

- Master the meaning of the various loads on Bridges, knowing normative contexts, in particular Eurocode, and having general knowledge of other normative sources;

- Perfectly master techniques for the calculation and structural analysis of simple structures;

- Have basic knowledge of advanced analysis of structures and have clear references on more advanced aspects that do not fully control;

- Understand the importance of the construction methods, analysis, calculation and design of bridges, getting references about the importance of this aspect for the design of bridges;

- Master the most common types of structural systems and cross-sections of bridges;

- Master techniques for the conception and design of all components of bridges with simple structures

- Understand the basics of the design of the components of Bridges with special structures, in particular, have clear references to matters that do not fully control;

- Have basic knowledge about the conception of bridges and start to develop skills for the observation of bridges;

- Have basic knowledge about the tests performed on bridges after their construction, inspection and monitoring tools.

Working method

Presencial

Program

• History of Bridges

• Technical Terminology of Bridge Engineering

• Structural Systems and Cross Sections

• Modeling of common and special structures

• Loads on roadway and railway bridges

• Decks and prestressing

• Piers, Foundations and Abutments

• Joins and Bearings

• Construction procedures

• Fundamental Factors of Decision

• Large Bridges - Arches, Cable-stayed, Suspension.

• Observation of Bridges

• Basics of testing, inspection and monitoring of Bridges

• Conception of roadway and railway Bridges

 DEMONSTRATION OF THE SYLLABUS COHERENCE WITH THE CURRICULAR UNIT'S OBJECTIVES: The curricular unit aims to apply previously acquired knowledge and existing codes to the design of bridges. This curricular makes the transition between theoretical learning and professional activity within the design of these structures.

Mandatory literature

Manterola Armisén, Javier; Puentes. ISBN: 84-7493-296-3
Menn, Christian; Prestressed concrete bridges. ISBN: 3-7643-2414-7(CH)
Eugene J. O.Brien, Damien L. Keogh; Bridge deck analysis. ISBN: 0-419-22500-5
Mathivat, Jacques; Procédés généraux de construction

Teaching methods and learning activities

All the subjects of the course programme are presented and discussed during the theoretical classes. In the practical classes specific topics are presented and discussed and practical examples are analyzed.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE COHERENCE BETWEEN THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES: The used teaching methodologies allow to deal with main themes related to the bridge design, analysis, discussion and critical interpretation of results, emphasizing the skills for problems formulation and solving and code certification.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	45,50
Trabalho escrito	26,00
Total:	71,50

Eligibility for exams

Achieving final classification requires compliance with attendance at the course unit, according to the course assessment rules. It is considered that students meet the attendance requirements if, having been regularly enrolled, the number of absences of 25% of the face-to-face classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade is based on a distributed evaluation and a final exam.

The distributed evaluation consists of two questionnaires to be done in practical classes.

All evaluation components are expressed on a scale of 0 to 20.

The final grade is calculated by the following formula:

CF = max {CT ; EF} where, CT = PA / 2 x (Q1 + Q2) + PF x EF

Q1 - grade of the questionnaire 1 done in one theoretical-practical class;
Q2 - grade of the questionnaire 2 done in one theoretical-practical class;
EF - grade of the final exam.

The weights associated with the indicated grades are as follows: PA = 25% PF = 75%

NOTE 1: The evaluation tests associated with the distributed component are optional. If the student does not perform any of these tests, the respective weights are added to PF.

NOTE 2: All students that are registered in the course are classified according to this method.