Principles of Building (CONS10001)

Intended learning outcomes

Having completed this subject it is expected that the student be able to:

• Understand the basic principles of forces and pressures as applied to structures;
• Understand the structural design process and how it relates to the construction process;
• Understand the presence, importance, types and use of design standards and codes of practice relevant to structural design in Australia;
• Develop an ability to quantify loads applied to structures;
• Develop an ability to analyse the effects of loads on the behaviour of structures;
• Develop an ability to justify the design of commonly used structural systems for specific design applications;
• Develop an ability to design simple structural systems taking into account realistic design loads;
• Understand and measure the basic properties and uses of common construction and building materials;
• Understand the mechanisms that result in the deformation and degradation of materials;
• Develop an ability to select appropriate materials for specific design application.

Generic skills

• Critical thinking
• Communication skills for written and oral presentation
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Capacity to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Perceptions of own learning and development
• Understanding the need to externally review and critically reflect on own capabilities.