Concrete Floors Structural Design by Hand Calculations from Udemy

This course aims to deliver deep understanding of the principles that govern the design of reinforced concrete structural floors with practical approach in designing and detailing floors. The course puts theoretical knowledge into practise through 2 design examples of different floor systems outlining practical applications and day-to-day structural design simplifications in design and detailing.

In an era where technology and software is readily available to assist with everyday design, this is an essential course to structural engineering students, fresh graduates, and junior structural engineers looking to gain sound knowledge of structural floor design and compliance aspects to be able to make engineering decision when working with complex software programs.

I have put together my knowledge in designing structures to Australian Standard

You do not need any prior preparations apart from fundamental knowledge of structural engineering. A detailed read and study of your design code is highly recommended so you can follow along with the design examples but not a must. Doing your own design calculations along the design examples and comparing the results and steps is highly recommended to train and develop your muscle memory in doing the calculations on your own.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Floor Types and Design Criteria

Loading and Analysis

Floor Design Loads

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers practical design examples for one-way beam and slab and RC flat plate systems, which are common in structural engineering practice

Focuses on hand calculations, which are essential for understanding the underlying principles of structural design and for verifying software results

Covers bending, shear, punching shear, deflection, vibration, crack control, durability, and fire design, which are all critical aspects of concrete floor design

Recommends a detailed study of the design code, which may require learners to purchase or access specific codes and standards relevant to their region

Assumes fundamental knowledge of structural engineering, so learners without this background may find the course challenging

Reviews summary

Concrete floor design: practical hand calculations

According to learners, this course provides a solid practical foundation for structural engineers learning to design concrete floors using hand calculations. Students particularly praise the clear, step-by-step approach and the inclusion of detailed design examples that bridge the gap between theory and practice. While the course is based on the Australian Standard, many find the principles applicable globally. Some reviewers note that certain sections can be dense or may require some prior fundamental knowledge. Overall, it's considered a highly valuable resource, especially for students and junior engineers.

Content is based on the Australian design code.

"The course follows the Australian Standard (AS), which is relevant for my work."

"Be aware that the code references are specific to the Australian Standard."

"While based on AS, the fundamental principles are applicable elsewhere."

"Useful for those working with Australian Standards or wanting to understand code application."

Builds fundamental understanding through manual design.

"This course is essential for understanding the fundamentals behind the software outputs."

"It gave me a solid understanding of manual calculations, which is crucial."

"Learning the hand calculation methods reinforced my theoretical knowledge effectively."

"Great course to build the foundational knowledge for concrete floor design before relying solely on software."

Concepts are explained in an easy-to-understand manner.

"The instructor does a great job explaining complex topics clearly and concisely."

"I appreciated the clear explanations, making potentially difficult subjects accessible."

"The course content is explained well, even for someone relatively new to this specific area."

"Everything was laid out very logically and easy to follow."

Step-by-step examples bridge theory to practice.

"The design examples were incredibly helpful in applying the concepts learned in the lectures."

"Going through the hand calculations step-by-step with the examples was invaluable."

"The practical examples are the highlight; they show you exactly how to apply the theory."

"I found the two design examples particularly useful for seeing how the calculations are done in a real-world scenario."

Some sections may be challenging without basics.

"Some parts felt a bit advanced; a solid base in structural principles is recommended."

"While the course says no prior prep, a strong fundamental understanding is really helpful."

"Certain derivations were a bit difficult to follow without reviewing prior knowledge first."

"It helps if you are already familiar with basic structural analysis concepts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Concrete Floors Structural Design by Hand Calculations with these activities:

Review Structural Analysis Fundamentals

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Refresh your understanding of structural analysis principles to better grasp the floor design concepts covered in the course.

Browse courses on Structural Analysis

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Review basic concepts of statics and mechanics of materials.
Practice solving problems related to beam bending and shear.
Familiarize yourself with different types of supports and their reactions.

Review 'Reinforced Concrete Mechanics and Design' by James Wight

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Deepen your understanding of reinforced concrete mechanics and design principles.

View Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics and Design,... on Amazon

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Read chapters related to bending, shear, and deflection of reinforced concrete members.
Work through example problems to reinforce your understanding.
Compare the book's approach to the methods presented in the course.

Practice Bending Moment and Shear Force Diagram Calculations

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Improve your ability to quickly and accurately calculate bending moments and shear forces, which are essential for floor design.

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Find practice problems online or in structural analysis textbooks.
Draw shear and moment diagrams for various beam loading conditions.
Check your answers against solutions or use structural analysis software to verify.

Four other activities

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Create a Personal Design Code Reference

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Compile key clauses and equations from the relevant design code for quick reference during future design projects.

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Identify the most frequently used clauses and equations in the design code.
Organize the information in a logical and easy-to-navigate format.
Add your own notes and annotations to clarify the meaning and application of each clause.

Design a Simple One-Way Slab

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Apply the design principles learned in the course to a practical design problem.

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Select a span and loading condition for a one-way slab.
Calculate the required reinforcement based on bending and shear requirements.
Detail the reinforcement layout according to relevant design codes.
Prepare a design report summarizing your calculations and detailing.

Review 'Structural Concrete: Theory and Design' by M. Nadim Hassoun and Akthem Al-Manaseer

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Expand your knowledge of structural concrete design principles and code requirements.

View Structural Concrete: Theory and Design on Amazon

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Read chapters related to durability and fire resistance of concrete structures.
Study the book's examples on deflection control and crack control.
Compare the book's approach to detailing with the course's examples.

Optimize a Floor Design for Cost

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Apply your knowledge to optimize a floor design, considering both structural performance and cost-effectiveness.

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Select a floor system and loading conditions.
Develop multiple design options with varying reinforcement layouts and concrete strengths.
Estimate the cost of each design option, considering material and labor costs.
Compare the performance and cost of each option to identify the most cost-effective design.

Career center

Learners who complete Concrete Floors Structural Design by Hand Calculations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer focuses on the design and analysis of structures, ensuring their stability and safety. This often involves calculations and software analysis, but a firm grasp of fundamental principles is vital. A course on concrete floor structural design by hand calculations helps engineers handle complex software programs with sound knowledge of structural floor design and compliance aspects, especially when making engineering decisions. Working through design examples, comparing results, and performing calculations independently builds the muscle memory needed to excel as a Structural Engineer.

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Design Engineer

Design Engineers are structural engineers that design structures that are safe and sound. A course concentrating on concrete floor structural design using hand calculations is a great fit for them. A course concentrating on concrete floor structural design using hand calculations offers significant benefits. It provides theoretical knowledge that you can put into practice through design examples of different floor systems, outlining practical applications and day-to-day structural design simplifications in design and detailing. This ensures that as a Design Engineer, your work designing the structure is safe, efficient, and compliant with regulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers plan, design, and oversee the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects. Understanding the specifics of concrete floor design is crucial for many projects. A course concentrating on concrete floor structural design using hand calculations offers significant benefits. It provides theoretical knowledge that you can put into practice through design examples of different floor systems, outlining practical applications and day-to-day structural design simplifications in design and detailing. This ensures that as a Civil Engineer, your work designing the structure is safe, efficient, and compliant with regulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Building Inspector

Building Inspectors examine buildings and structures to ensure they comply with building codes and regulations. A solid understanding of structural design principles, especially for concrete floors, is essential for identifying potential issues and ensuring safety. Completing this course on concrete floor structural design by hand calculations allows inspectors to understand the principles, design considerations, and detailing practices involved in floor construction. Exposure to analysis fundamentals and formulae may improve their ability to assess structural integrity and compliance.

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Materials Engineer

Materials Engineers research and develop new materials to be used in construction projects. They are essential for the safe design of new structures. For those wishing to develop new materials, a course on concrete floor structural design by hand calculations is essential. Fire design and durability principles are explored in this course. A Materials Engineer can use this knowledge to design new materials that are suited for real world construction projects.

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Bridge Engineer

Bridge Engineers specialize in the design, construction, and maintenance of bridges. Concrete is a primary material in bridge construction, making a deep understanding of its structural behavior vital. This course on concrete floors structural design by hand calculations may be useful. The course aims to deliver a deep understanding of the principles that govern the design of reinforced concrete structural floors with a practical approach in designing and detailing floors. This builds a foundation for the more complex principles needed in bridge design. Understanding Australian standards put together in this course may also be relevant to the design of some bridges.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists investigate engineering principles and design new solutions. A solid grasp of design is useful in this position. A course detailing concrete floor structural design with hand calculations can be useful. In particular, the concepts of vibration, deflection, and shrinkage can be quite useful for those hoping to advance the state of the art in this field. The course puts theoretical knowledge into practice with design examples, which can lead to new structural forms. This is typically a role requiring an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Construction Manager

Construction Managers oversee construction projects from start to finish, managing budgets, schedules, and teams. Although they may not perform the structural design themselves, understanding the principles behind it is crucial for effective communication and problem-solving. This course on concrete floor structural design by hand calculations may be useful because it emphasizes practical applications and design simplifications. It aids Construction Managers in making informed decisions when working with structural engineers. Understanding the theory and practice of design examples in floor systems also helps in anticipating challenges and ensuring project success.

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Architect

Architects design buildings and spaces, often collaborating with structural engineers to ensure their designs are structurally sound. While architects primarily focus on aesthetics and functionality, understanding the basics of structural design helps in creating feasible and efficient designs. Taking this course on concrete floor structural design by hand calculations helps an architect understand analysis fundamentals and formulae. Working with structural engineers becomes easier and more productive when you can follow along with their work.

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Lecturer

Lecturers are experts in their field who teach at colleges and universities. They are responsible for educating their students on key principles. For those wishing to teach the principles behind structural design, a course on concrete floor structural design by hand calculations may be useful. This course concentrates on how theoretical knowledge can be put into practice through design examples of different floor systems, outlining practical applications and day-to-day structural design simplifications in design and detailing. This practical approach is vital for a Lecturer wishing to pass down wisdom to the next generation.

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Project Manager

Project Managers oversee engineering projects from start to finish. They ensure that all projects come in on time and under budget. A course on concrete floor structural design by hand calculations may be helpful to Project Managers. The course describes floor design loads and the analysis of them. This information can be used by Project Managers to coordinate with Structural Engineers and other team members to ensure that the design fits within the project's scope. If there is a construction issue, the Project Manager can use this information to help facilitate a solution.

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Geotechnical Engineer

Geotechnical Engineers investigate soil and rock beneath the earth's surface and determine the properties that will affect the design and construction of proposed structures. Although their focus is on the ground conditions, understanding how structures, such as concrete floors, interact with the ground is important. A course covering concrete floor structural design by hand calculations may be useful. The discussion of floor types and design criteria will inform Geotechnical Engineers of loading and analysis principles. This knowledge may allow them to provide more accurate and relevant recommendations for foundation design.

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Estimator

Estimators prepare cost estimates for construction projects. While structural engineers determine the structural aspects of the design, Estimators determine a budget for the design. A course on concrete floor structural design by hand calculations may be useful. Understanding practical design principles in design, such as bending design, shear design, and deflection criteria, allows Estimators to prepare detailed cost estimates for structural components.

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BIM Manager

A BIM Manager oversees the implementation and management of Building Information Modeling (BIM) processes on construction projects. Understanding the structural design principles, even at a fundamental level, helps BIM Managers ensure accurate modeling and coordination of structural elements. Taking this course on concrete floor structural design by hand calculations may be useful. Seeing the practical applications and day-to-day structural design simplifications in design and detailing using BIM software facilitates better model management and clash detection.

See salaries and explore the career path for BIM Manager

Facilities Manager

Facilities Managers are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of buildings. A basic understanding of structural elements, like concrete floors, is helpful for identifying potential problems and coordinating repairs. A course delving into concrete floor structural design by hand calculations may be useful. The exposure to vibrations and deflections criteria, along with crack control design, helps Facilities Managers recognize signs of structural distress and proactively address issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Facilities Manager

Concrete Floors Structural Design by Hand Calculations

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Concrete floor design: practical hand calculations

Activities

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