Structural Engineering MSc

The programme is currently taken full-time, over 12 months. Each taught module will count for 15 credits, approximating to 150 learning hours. The modules will be taught over the first eight months and during the final four months, students will conduct an individual research project worth 60 credits (Dissertation).

Nonlinear Structural Analysis and Finite Element Method

This module develops the student’s advanced knowledge and skills of: Structural analysis with material nonlinear (beam, plate); Structural analysis with geometrical nonlinear (beam, plate); Catenary actions (beam, plate); Membrane actions (plate, slab floor); Establishing the balance equations; Numerical integration; Finite element shape functions; Moving from the continuous system to a discretised system; Isoparametric finite elements; Solving time domain dynamic systems; Newton-Raphson and Modified Newton-Raphson iterative solution schemes for nonlinear problems.

Structural Dynamics and Seismic Design

This module aims to develop student’s knowledge and skills of: Seismology; Structural dynamics for linear systems; Seismic risk; General seismic design considerations; Passive control; Seismic design of buildings: general principles; Nonlinear response of buildings to earthquake time histories; Seismic design of concrete buildings; Seismic design of steel buildings.

Advanced Construction Materials and Structural Retrofitting Technology

This exclusive module focuses on providing an advanced knowledge of: Concrete (Low carbon & low energy cement and concrete; fibre reinforced concrete; cementlike and cementless concrete; fracture mechanics for concrete); Timber (laminated structures); Composite materials (Steel-concrete composites for construction; natural composites for construction; other advance composites for construction); Nanomaterials (an introduction); Other sustainable materials for construction; Structural renovation and retrofitting (FRP; NDT).

Advanced Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Design

This module focuses on giving students a comprehensive and professional working knowledge of: Fundamentals of reinforced concrete structure design; Principles of reinforced and prestressed concrete design adopted by Eurocodes; Design of shear wall and frame-wall multi-storey and high-rise buildings; Fundamentals of theory of prestressing; Design principles for prestressed concrete beam & frame structure; Prestressing with pretensioned tendons; Prestressing with post-tensioned tendons.

Advanced Steel Design

This module aims to develop student’s advanced knowledge and skills of: Fundamentals of steel structure design; Principles of structural steel design adopted by Eurocodes; Design of multi-storey/high-rise steel frame including braced steel frame and steel-framed composite buildings; Stability analyses of steel structures; Computer-based steel structure analysis and design

Structural Design for Fire

This module develops the student’s knowledge and awareness of: Building fires; Consequences of building fires and general safety measures; Effects of fire on the structure; Behaviour of simple structural elements in fire; Analytical methods and behaviour of beams, columns and frames; Portal frames; Simple design methods; The behaviour of complete building structures; New design approaches.

Contemporary Structures and Sustainable Construction

This module aims to integrate the acquired knowledge and skills relevant to structural design and enable students to appreciate modern structure design with case studies of real structures. The module will be delivered at project based with significant input from practising engineers, architects, etc. to appreciate holistic approach of structural design including consideration of sustainability. Students will be conducting a comprehensive group project on sustainable structural design. They will be mentored and assessed by academic staff plus practising engineers, architects etc.

Research Methods and Professional Development

This generic module instils the principles of good research practice and enable students to acquire skills to conduct scientifically-robust research with due consideration of engineering quality issues and environmental and health and safety risks. It also develops an understanding of how research and development drives innovation in a business context and the mechanisms to protect intellectual property. Alongside the focus on research skills, it helps students progress their ability to manage their ongoing professional development.

Msc Civil Engineering Dissertation

This research module represents a major element of the Masters programme, with the aim of enabling participants to learn skills in scientific investigation and in running and presenting a project. Students are required to submit a comprehensive (bound) report describing the individual work that they have done. Each student will be assigned a supervisor with whom they should maintain regular contact to ensure satisfactory progress of the work. The dissertation should contain some unique findings generated by the student (either theoretical or experimental) and will generally require a state-of-the-art review of the subject. Students are expected to use all library resources to investigate their chosen topic.

Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel and what you will learn on the course.