Structural Design of Low Rise Buildings
Overview
This unit of study aims to provide students with knowledge and skills to design low rise buildings such as houses and small commercial buildings.
Requisites
CVE30002 Design of Steel Structures
OR
CSM20001 Design of Constructed Structures
AND
CVE20003 Design of Concrete Structures
OR
CSM20002 Design of Temporary Structures
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Select the most suitable form of residential footings depending on the site reactivity. (K3, S1, S3)
- Design timber and steel elements such as steel floor joists, beams, lintels and posts. (K2, K3, S1, S3, A6, A7)
- Select timber framing for sub floor, walls, lintels, roofs, bracing and tie down and design nailed and bolted timber connections. (K3,S1,S3, A6, A7)
- Design un-reinforced and reinforced masonry in compression and flexure. (K3,S1,S3, A6, A7)
- Propose construction details for performance and durability. (K1, K3, K6)
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Tutorial | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 8.50 | 12 weeks | 102 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,5 |
| Examination | Individual | 60% | 2,3,4 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) at least 40% in the final exam.Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Introduction to the unit, regulations, building acts, and codes
- Site classification, Reactivity, Effect of Fill, Bore Logs Interpretation and Footing Design
- Wind Loads for Houses and Load Combinations with Permanent and Imposed Loads for Stability, Strength and Serviceability
- Structural Timber Framing, Terminology, Timber Grades
- Timber design (flexure and axial compression) according to AS1720
- Timber framing, bracing and tie down according to AS 1684
- Timber Connections (Nailed and Bolted)
- Design of un-reinforced masonry for flexure and axial compression
- Design of un-reinforced Masonry (continued) and Reinforced Masonry
- Retaining Walls
- Detailing for good performance, durability, drainage and local practices
- Use of Steel in houses, revision
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.