Course Details

1. Describe the structural system of Reinforcement Concrete (R/C) structures.
2. Distinguish and explain the role of the consisted materials of such structures (concrete and steel)
3. Explain the in – situ construction procedure
4. Compare and explain the provisions of various codes and standards taking in the account during the design and especially during the construction of such structures.
5. Define the physical and mechanical parameters of concrete and the materials we use for the production and maintenance in order to have high quality concrete.
6. Define the physical and mechanical properties of steel and especially to distinguish the mechanical differences between steel and concrete, and also to know how we use it during the construction of structures.
7. Describe the role of each structural element to support external loading (static and earthquake loading), how to transfer this loading to the foundation.
8. Use the basic principles for earthquake resistance design of building R/C structures (simplicity, symmetry, bidirectional resistance and stiffness, torsional resistance and stiffness, diapfragmatic behaviour, adequate foundation). Especially explain the main role of shear wall to the stiffness of the structures and also to recognize the vulnerability of a structure and how to avoid it.
9. Distinguish the different types of foundations and when we use each of them and to be able to do simple calculations to estimate the dimensions of a footing.
10. Decide about the correct position of placing the steel longitudinal bars and the stirrups and the role of longitudinal and transverse (stirrups) to the safety and stability of the structure.
11. Design the detailing drawings of the skeleton of R/C multi-storey building.
12. Use the basic principles of codes and standards for the design and construction of R/C structures.

Materials: Emphasis is given to understand the consisted materials, procedure of production and use of concrete and steel. Through simple examples the physical and mechanical properties of concrete and steel are examined and the role of each material to the strength of r/c structural elements is explained.

Codes and standards: The basic codes and standards used for the design and construction of R/C structures is explained and the necessity of them due to the high possibility of bad design or bad construction and with the main scope to have safety, stability and high quality o such structures. 

Structural elements: The role of each structural element (such as plate, beam, joint, column,shear wall and foundation) to support external loading and to transfer thisloading to the foundation. Emphasis is given to the distribution of thestressing on these structural elements and the explanation about the detailingdesign. The role of the longitudinal and transverse reinforcement bars isexplained through examples.

Foundations: Almost in all the structures, the foundation system is constructed by R/C. The various types of foundation are presented parallel to the basic soil properties and simple procedure is explained to estimate the dimensions of foundation footings.

Basic principals for earthquake resistance design: The basic principles for earthquake resistance design of building R/C structures (simplicity, symmetry, bidirectional resistance and stiffness, torsional resistance and stiffness, diapfragmatic behaviour,adequate foundation) are presented and discussed with practical exercises how to use them for the design of the skeleton of R/C building.

Design the skeleton of R/C buildings and the drawings of the detailing: The procedure for the design of the skeleton of a R/C building and the accompanied detailing drawings is presented in order to complete the static and the earthquake resistance design of multisotrey building.  

• G. Penelis “Concrete Structures”, Vol. I, 1973
• C. Arnold & R. Reitherman, “Building Configuration Seismic Design”, 1982
• Chr. Ignatakis “Configuration and detailing of R/C structural elements”, 2006

• M. Demosthenous “Static of R/C structures” – Lecture Notes

The taught part of the course is delivered to the students by means of lectures and a number of numerical exercises. Lecture notes are available through the class for students to use in combination with the relevant textbooks and other notes.