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NJIT College of Architecture & Design

Course Syllabus

Structures II Faculty: Rima Taher, PhD, PE, University Lecturer
Arch 329 Spring 2012 Prerequisite: Building Systems V or Structures I

NAAB Criteria: A1, A2, A3, A5, A7, A11, B9, B12, C1, C3, C7, C9
Type of Course:
Undergraduate course - Lecture format 3 credits Meets twice a week on Tuesday and
Thursday from 10:00 to 11:25 am Location: GITC 1400.

Course Overview:
This course introduces the students to the basic principles of structural analysis and design
using traditional structural materials such as steel, reinforced concrete and wood. It uses a
practical and simplified approach combined with computerized methods of analysis and
design to teach students how to make some basic structural decisions regarding their designs.
The course also outlines the principles of lateral stability in high-rise construction, and uses
examples of tall buildings to illustrate these concepts. The various types of foundation
systems and retaining walls are described along with some simple design examples. The
various design procedures and computerized applications are based on the latest codes and
standards.

Learning Objectives:
Students will learn how to structurally design simple structural elements such as beams,
columns and basic footings. They will first learn how to select a structural system for a
building, and how to layout a typical floor or roof framing and use some established rules of
thumb for the selection of structural members. In a second phase, students will be introduced
to some analytical methods to help them prove their design decisions beyond the general
rules of thumb. Some practical assignments and exercises will be used to illustrate the design
process, along with a main project. The project will relate to the design of a typical steel
building. Computer programs such as Revit Structure and StruCalc 8.0 will be used in the
project.

Course Requirements:
Students are expected to take a test, a mid-term examination and a final examination, in
addition to some homework assignments and a main project.
Students are required to upload their assignment files to Moodle by the posted due date. No
late assignments will be permitted. Only uploaded files are accepted. Please do not e-mail
your homework files to the instructor. All assignments will be graded. Grades and comments
will be posted on Moodle.
Tests and exams will be given in class and will generally consist of two parts: a closed-book
part with questions to answer, and an open-book part with a few problems to solve. Students
can use their textbook and their notes for the open-book part. The use of electronic devices
will not be permitted during the tests. Only a basic scientific non-communicating calculator
will be allowed. All students are expected to take the tests at the scheduled dates and times.
Make-up tests will not be given without a valid reason and the related proper paperwork
documentation.



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The computer programs used in this course are installed on the university network at the main
NJ IT computing facility. Students are expected to maintain their academic computing
account and password in good working order throughout the semester.
The NJ IT-Honor Code will be upheld, and any violations will be brought to the immediate
attention of the Dean of Students.

Grading Criteria:
Test 1: 20% - Tentative date: Tuesday, February 14, 2012.
Mid-Term Examination: 25% - Tentative Date: Tuesday, March 6, 2012.
Assignments: 10% - Due dates to be announced and posted on Moodle.
Project: 15% - Due date to be announced and posted on Moodle.
Final Examination: 30% - During the Final Exam Period, May 3
rd
to May 9, 2012.

Instructors Office Hours:
Instructor, Rima Taher, will be available for counseling on Monday 1:15 to 2:30 pm and
Tuesday from 4:00 to 4:30 pm or by appointment. Office number: Weston 521.

Instructors E-mail Address:
E-mail: taher@adm.njit.edu

Instructors Websites:
http://web.njit.edu/~taher
http://www.taherengineering.com

Required Texts:
1- Simplified Engineering for Architects and Builders, 11
th
Edition, by J ames Ambrose and
Patrick Tripeny, Wiley & Sons, 2011, ISBN #978-0-470-43627-1

Useful References:
1. Structural Design A Practical Guide for Architects, by Rod Underwood and Michele
Chiuini, 2
nd
Edition, J ohn Wiley $ Sons
2. Design of Wood Structures, by Donald Breyer, McGraw Hill, 6
th
Edition.
3. Structural Steel Design, 4
th
Edition, by J ack C. McCormac, Pearson, Prentice Hall
4. Manual of Steel Construction, 13
th
Edition, by the American Institute of Steel
Construction (AISC), Chicago, Illinois, 2005
5. The Architect Studio Companion Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design, by Edward
Allen and J oseph Iano, Wiley & Sons
6. Shaping Structures Statics, by Waclaw Zalewski and Edward Allen, Wiley & Sons

Codes and Standards:
1. The 2012 International Building Code (IBC) published by ICC, International Code
Council.
2. Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE 7-2010, by the
American Society of Civil Engineers.
3. The 2010-AISC Specification and the 14
th
Edition of the Manual of Steel Construction by
AISC, American Institute of Steel Construction.
4. National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS), 2005, by the American
Forest and Paper Association, American Wood Council.
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5. Minimum Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, ACI 318-2011,
by the American Concrete Institute.

Week-by-Week Schedule:

Week 1 1/16 to 1/20
Introduction, Loads, Codes and Standards, Review of Structural Analysis: Support Reactions

Week 2 1/23 to 1/27
Structural Analysis Continued: Shear and Bending Moment

Week 3 1/30 to 2/3
Structural Analysis Continued: Shear and Bending Moment, Truss Analysis

Week 4 2/6 to 2/10
Selection of Loads and Load Combinations According to the IBC and ASCE 7
Introduction to Lateral Loads: Wind and Earthquake Forces

Week 5 2/13 to 2/17
Tuesday 2/ 14: Test 1
Lateral Stability in High-Rise Construction, Basic Structural Systems Used in High-Rise
Construction, Examples of Steel and Concrete High-Rises

Week 6 2/20 to 2/24
Steel Structures: Structural Steels, Properties, Structural Shapes, Steel Systems and Rules of
Thumb, Basic Steel Framing Plans

Week 7 2/27 to 3/2
Steel Beam Behavior and Design Principles: Bending, Shear and Deflection, Design
Examples

Week 8 3/5 to 3/9
Tuesday 3/6: Mid-Term Examination
Beam Design Continued Bending, Shear and Deflection
Lateral Stability of Beams, Design Examples

Week 9 3/12 to 3/16
Spring Break

Week 10 3/19 to 3/23
Withdrawal Deadline: Tuesday 3/6
Column Behavior, Column Shapes, Column Buckling and Slenderness Ratio, Axially Loaded
Columns, Eccentically Loaded Columns, Design of Axially Loaded Columns, Simple Design
Examples
Design of Open-Web J oists, Metal Decks
Steel Connections and Connection Details: Bolted Connections, Welded Connections

Week 11 3/26 to 3/30
Project Assigned - Computer Lab
Computerized Design of a Typical Steel Building Using Revit Structure and StruCalc 8.0

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Week 12 4/2 to 4/6
Project Continued - Computer Lab
Computerized Design of a Typical Steel Building Using Revit Structure and StruCalc 8.0

Week 13 4/9 to 4/13
Wood Structures: Wood Buildings & Design Criteria, Lumber and Lumber Grades, glulam,
Engineered Wood Products, Simplified Design of Wood Beams

Week 14 4/16 to 4/20
Reinforced Concrete Structures, Materials for Reinforced Concrete, Main ACI-Code
Requirements, Rules of Thumb, Simplified Design of Concrete Beams

Week 15 4/23 to 4/27
Last Lecture: 4/26
Foundation Systems: Soil Properties and Soil Classification System, Soil Investigations,
Borings and Test Pits, Soil Bearing Capacities, Spread Footings, Piles and Types of Piles,
Simple Design Examples of Footings and Piles
Retaining Walls: Types (Gravity, Cantilever and Counterfort Walls), Wall Equilibrium and
Safety Factors, Common Types of Wall Failures by Sliding, Overturning and Breaking

Week 16 4/30 to 5/4
Tuesday 5/1: Reading Day No Class

Final Exam Week: 5/3 to 5/9