565.620.81 - Advanced Steel Design

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Modules typically run for seven (7) days. See the Course Outline for changes to this pattern. Log into Canvas at least once a day to check Discussion threads and the Calendar and Announcements link. It is recommended that you set your Canvas account to receive announcement notifications via email.

Course Topics

• Introduction to Advanced Steel Design
• Member Stability
• Frame Stability
• Fundamentals of Torsion Theory
• Design for Torsion
• Plate Girders in Bending
• Plate Girders in Shear
• Connection Design
• Steel Systems for Seismic Design

Course Goals

To explain advanced theory of hot-rolled steel design including stability behavior, 2nd order effects, system behavior, and seismic loading; to design steel members and frames per the AISC 15th edition code for such conditions as torsion, slender elements, buckling, combined stresses, common shear & moment connections, and stability. Comparison of ELM, FM, and Direct Analysis Methods will be made, with an emphasis on designing using the Direct Analysis Method. Use of computer software to study member behavior is a part of the course.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Differentiate between AISC’s three design approaches: ASD, LRFD, and Inelastic Design.
• Explain the unique purpose of code documents related to structural steel design including the AISC Steel Construction Manual, ANSI/AISC 360, ANSI/ASTM 303, COSP, and ASCE/SEI 7.
• Describe the mechanics of steel as it relates to elastic and inelastic behavior, flexural buckling, torsional buckling, flexural-torsional buckling, lateral torsional buckling, and local buckling.
• Understand the probabilistic foundation of LRFD as a mean’s of designing economical and reliable structures, and how the code changed to a unified design philosophy for ASD/LRFD.
• Design steel members per Specification Chapters B-H & J, including torsional, flexural-torsional, local and lateral-torsional buckling design considerations.
• Describe the sources of nonlinear behavior in members and frames, including the sources of material and geometric nonlinear effects.
• Apply nonlinear effects in a steel analysis model.
• Design steel frames so as to be structurally stable using the following methods- Effective Length, Direct Analysis, and First-Order Analysis.
• Recognize the role of modern computer analysis in the job of a structural engineer and understand the steps necessary to perform an essential Quality Assurance peer review.
  
• Analyze open and closed steel members for torsion loading.
• Design of I-shaped, doubly symmetric plate girders.
• Distinguish between the three types of connection design options as described in the COSP.
• Calculate the design strength of bolt, weld, and connecting element limit states.
• Determine for beam-to-column shear and moment connections the applicable limit states.
• Design simple and moment resisting connections using bolts and welds.
• Explain how seismic risk is quantified by the International Building Code by using a Maximum Considered Earthquake ground motion (MCER)
• Explain seismic building performance to owners & communities to manage expectations and provide options.
• Understand how ductility and fuse members are used as the basis of steel seismic design per the code “AISC 341 Seismic Provisions for Steel Buildings”.
• Describe the seismic design behavior of moment and braced frames such as Special, Intermediate, and Ordinary per “AISC Seismic Provisions for Steel Buildings”.

Textbooks

TEXTBOOK #1: "Steel Construction Manual, 15th ed.” Chicago, IL: American Institute of Steel Construction.  ISBN: 978-1564240071

 Purchase with the student discount code personalized for this course; contact instructor for information.

TEXTBOOK #2: Geschwindner, L., Liu, J., Carter, C. (2023) “Unified Design of Steel Structures (4th ed)”. State College, PA: Providence Engineering Corp. ISBN: 979-8351317908

Purchase at www.steelstuff.com or Amazon: $50 for hard copy. $3 for Kindle version.

Required Software

Several modules will require use of the free structural analysis software MASTAN2.  You will be given specific instructions on how to download the software when needed.  Follow this link to reach the MASTAN2 homepage.  

You must have the ability to reliably print, scan, and upload documents in PDF form.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 9–12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: Read the assigned sections of the texts as well as some outside reading (approximately 2-3 hours per week); Listen to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2-3 hours per week); Complete assignments (approximately 5-6 hours per week).

This course will consist of three basic student requirements: Preparation & Participation, Assignments, and Exams.  Details as described below.

1. Participation (Module Learning Activities & Discussions) 

Learning Activities have been carefully constructed to help enhance and deepen your understanding of the module material.  They are usually completed early in the week, before your graded assessment, offering an opportunity for "low stakes" to practice of concepts. Learning activities range in type and scope, such as quizzes, sample problems, or a software tutorial. 

Discussions are also assigned some weeks, in order to create space for thoughtful interactions among the class. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates while ensuring that your postings are civil and constructive. 

Discussion and Learning Activities will be due in the first half of the module.  This allows you to more deeply understand the module material before doing the graded assessment.

These “quantitative” assignments are graded for participation. See the Learning Activity & Discussion Board participation rubrics in Canvas.

2. Assignments (Problem Sets, Quizzes, Virtual Labs) 

Assignments may be either qualitative assignments (e.g. literature reviews, writing assignments) and quantitative problem sets, quizzes, and labs.

Include your name, module number, assignment identifier, and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have assumptions, computations, and conclusions clearly indicated. When referencing equations from the code include an equation number in parenthesis next to the calculation.  Show all calculations step-by-step.  Include underlined headings to distinguish each calculation step (e.g. Required Load Combinations, Shear Yielding Limit State, Shear Fracture Limit State, etc.) All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately.  Assignments shall be presented neatly, this includes legible handwriting; use a straight edge for all hand sketches.

All assignments are due according to the listed due dates and times.  LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL RECEIVE ZERO CREDIT (no exceptions without prior coordination with instructor).

3. Exams

Exam 1 will be available in Module 7 and will cover all material from Modules 1-6. Exam 2 will be available in Module 14 and will cover all material from Modules 8-13. You may begin the exam anytime during that module week. Once started they will be timed. Exams are “open note”.

Exams must be done independently, representative of your own work alone, with no collaboration. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in zero credit for the exam score and the reporting of an academic integrity violation to the university.

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the date and time per Canvas.

Egregious violations of the rules of the English language pertaining to spelling and/or grammar will result in a reduction of grade (as described previously in the grading breakdowns).

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.