565.720.8VL - Special Topics in Civil Engineering Structures

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menu. 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. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Design of Composite Members – Part 1
• Design of Composite Members – Part 2
• Stability of Structures
• Shape Memory Alloys and other Innovative Materials
• Special and Proprietary Lateral Force Resisting Systems
• Sustainability in Structural Engineering
• Welded Connections
• Fracture and Fatigue in Structures
• Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Systems for Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Structures – Part 1
• Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Systems for Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Structures – Part 2
• Nondestructive Evaluation of Structures
• Introduction to Structural Secure Design

Course Goals

This course takes a deep dive into a selection of structural engineering topics with a focus on their application in real life building projects.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Apply the fundamental concepts behind the topics selected.
• Appraise the practical applications of each topic in a building structural engineering project.
• Identify developments in structural engineering and the impact in building design.
• Analyze the potential applications of emerging structural technologies in building projects.
• Evaluate classical assumptions of project material cost with strategies to reduce embodied carbon.

Textbooks

NO textbook required. Class material will be made available for each module.

Required Software

No software required.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assignments (approximately 1–2 hours per week), attending lectures and listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 4–5 hours per week), and assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week).

This course will consist of the following basic student requirements:

Preparation and Participation (25% of Final Grade Calculation)

You are required to attend online lectures via Zoom, and you are responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion.

Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the evening of day 3 for that module week. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for module discussions (i.e., Timeliness).

Part two of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least two classmates (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive.

I will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. In some instances, I will summarize the overall discussions and post the summary for the module.

Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions.

Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:

Timeliness (50%)

Critical Thinking (50%)

Preparation and participation is graded as follows:

• 100–90 = A—Timeliness [regularly attends lectures and participates; all required postings; early in discussion; throughout the discussion]; Critical Thinking [rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis].
• 89–80 = B—Timeliness [frequently attends lectures and participates; all required postings; some not in time for others to read and respond]; Critical Thinking [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].
• 79–70 = C—Timeliness [infrequently attends lectures and participates; all required postings; most at the last minute without allowing for response time]; Critical Thinking [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].
• <70 = F—Timeliness [rarely attends lectures and participates; some, or all required postings missing]; Critical Thinking [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight is displayed].

Assignments (35% of Final Grade Calculation)

Assignments shall include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier. Also include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and results delineated. All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately.

All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar.

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors).

Assignments are evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Each part of the assignment is answered (20%)
2. Technical accuracy (results) (35%)
3. Design process accuracy (45%)

Assignments are graded as follows:

• 100–90 = A—All parts of the question are addressed; answer to assignment problem is correct and solution procedure (design process) that resulted in the provided answer is clearly shown and correct.
• 89–80 = B—All parts of the question are addressed; answer to assignment problem may not be the right answer but the solution procedure (design process) that resulted in the provided answer, is right,  and is substantially shown. 
• 79–70=C— All parts of the question are addressed; answer to assignment problem is not the right answer and the solution procedure (design process) that resulted in the provided answer, although not completely right, is partially shown.
• <70=F— Some parts of the question are addressed; answer to assignment problem is not the right answer and the solution procedure (design process) that resulted in the provided answer, is not right either, and is partially shown.

Exams (40% of Final Grade Calculation, combined from 20% for Exam 1/Midterm and 20% Exam 2/final)

The midterm exam will be available in Module 6 and the final exam will be available in the last Module. Module 12. You will have one week to complete the exams and they will be due by 5PM exactly one week from their release. You may use the course material to complete the exams.

The exams are evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Each part of the assignment is answered (20%)
2. Technical accuracy (results) (35%)
3. Design process accuracy (45%)

Exams are graded as follows:

• 100–90 = A—All parts of the question are addressed; answer to assignment problem is correct and solution procedure (design process) that resulted in the provided answer is clearly shown and correct.
• 89–80 = B—All parts of the question are addressed; answer to assignment problem may not be the right answer but the solution procedure (design process) that resulted in the provided answer, is right,  and is substantially shown. 
• 79–70=C— All parts of the question are addressed; answer to assignment problem is not the right answer and the solution procedure (design process) that resulted in the provided answer, although not completely right, is partially shown.
• <70=F— Some parts of the question are addressed; answer to assignment problem is not the right answer and the solution procedure (design process) that resulted in the provided answer, is not right either, and is partially shown.

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. I will post grades one week after assignment due dates.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

100-98 = A+ 97-94 = A 93-90 = A− 89-87 = B+ 86-83 = B 82-80 = B− 79-77 = C+ 76-73 = C 72-70 = C− 69-67 = D+ 66-63 = D

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.