CIVL3016 Building Superstructure Autumn 2025

CIVL3016 Building Superstructure Autumn 2025

Western Sydney University acknowledges the peoples of the Darug, Dharawal, Eora and Wiradjuri nations. We also acknowledge that the teaching and learning currently delivered across our campuses is a continuance of the teaching and learning that has occurred on these lands for tens of thousands of years.

Subject Details

Note: Students with any problems, concerns or doubts should discuss those with the Subject Coordinator as early as they can.

Subject Coordinator

Name: Dr Brendan Kirkland

Phone: (02) 4736 0585

Location: Penrith (Kingswood) Campus, Building Y 3.12

Email: B.Kirkland@westernsydney.edu.au

Consultation Arrangement:

Face-to-face and zoom consultations can be arranged via email. Q&A time will also be provided in the scheduled workshop. For queries related to subject content, please first contact your allocated tutor using the emails below.

Teaching Team

Name: Christophe Camille

Email: C.Camille@westernsydney.edu.au

Consultation Arrangement:

Consultation available during tutorial or via email only

Name: Mohammad Yousuf

Email: m.yousuf@westernsydney.edu.au

Consultation Arrangement:

Continued on next page

Name: Tharika Kahandawa Arachchi

Email: t.karachchi@westernsydney.edu.au

Consultation Arrangement:

Consultation available during tutorial or via email only

Name: Aderemi Aderogba

Email: a.aderogba@westernsydney.edu.au

Consultation Arrangement:

Consultation available during tutorial or via email only

Administrative Support

Name: Student Services Hub

Email: edbe@westernsydney.edu.au

Consultation Arrangement:

Contact via email for administrative support only

Contents

• About Building Superstructure 2
  
  
  • An Introduction to this Subject...................................................................................................... 2
  
  
  • What is Expected of You............................................................................................................... 2
  
  
  • Changes to Subject as a Result of Past Student Feedback................................................................. 3
  
  
  

• Learning and Teaching Activities 4

• Assessment Information 5
  
  
  • Subject Learning Outcomes............................................................................................................ 5
  
  
  • Assessment Summary................................................................................................................... 5
    
    
    • Quiz................................................................................................................................. 8
    
    
    • Report on structural design considerations............................................................................ 9
    
    
    • Report on structural system and compliance........................................................................ 10
    
    
    
  
  
  • Readings and Resources 11
    
    
    • Essential Readings...................................................................................................................... 11
    
    
    • Recommended Readings.............................................................................................................. 11
    
    
    • Other Teaching and Learning Resources........................................................................................ 12
    
    
    
  
  
  • Key Teaching and Learning Policies 13
  
  
  

1. About Building Superstructure

1.1 An Introduction to this Subject

The aim of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of the factors that contribute to the design and construction of a building superstructure. Students will be introduced to relevant Australian Standards for common construction materials and practices. The subject content will also develop the ability of construction students to communicate professionally with other building professionals including structural engineers. Emphasis will be given to the strength, behaviour and failure of structural members, connections and frames.

1.2 What is Expected of You

Study Load

A student is expected to study an hour per credit point a week. For example a 10 credit point subject would require 10 hours of study per week. This time includes the time spent within classes during lectures, tutorials or practicals.

Note for Summer Terms: As Summer subjects deliver the same content and classes over a shorter period of time, the subjects are run in a more intensive mode. Regardless of the delivery mode, the study hours for each subject in Summer will be around 30 hours.

Attendance

Tutorial attendance is highly encouraged. Tutorial discussions and activities are crucial to the successful completion of the assessments.

Approach to Learning

Learning materials are asynchronous - i.e. there is no scheduled lecture. Students should review the specified learning module each week. Each weekly module in vUWS contains a combination of an online learning module, specified additional readings, short videos, and other activities.

An optional weekly online workshop will be offered to provide a brief summary of the weekly content, provide relevant subject updates, plus provide the ability for students to ask questions related to the subject overall. The initial part of the workshop relevant to all students will be recorded and posted after the session for those unable to attend.

The tutorials will focus on active learning, primarily containing activities to increase knowledge of structures using site examples, ability to read structural drawings, and to aid interpretation of relevant codes and standards. Attendance at tutorials is crucial to understanding the subject content, adequately discussing structural elements in the report, and to successfully completing the subject. Tutorials will not be recorded.

There will be 2 face-to-face practicals throughout the semester to give students a hands-on appreciation of the 2 most common building materials: concrete and steel. Prac content will be incorporated into the quizzes.

Online Learning Requirements

Subject materials will be made available on the subjects vUWS (E-Learning) site (https://vuws.westernsydney.edu. au/). You are expected to consult vUWS at least twice a week, as all subject announcements will be made via vUWS. Teaching and learning materials will be regularly updated and posted online by the teaching team

Special Requirements

Essential Equipment:

Not Applicable

Legislative Pre-Requisites:

This subject involves extensive practical exercises. In order to undertake the practicals, each student must have the appropriate PPE (Personal Protection Equipment):

Laboratory coat

Safety glasses

Safety shoes (steel capped)

1.3 Changes to Subject as a Result of Past Student Feedback

The University values student feedback in order to improve the quality of its educational programs. The feedback provided helps us improve teaching methods and subjects of study. The survey subjects results inform subject content and design, Subject Outlines, teaching methods, assessment processes and teaching materials.

You are welcome to provide feedback that is related to the teaching of this subject. At the end of the semester you will be given the opportunity to complete a Student Feedback on Subject questionnaire to assess the subject. If requested by your subject coordinator, you may also have the opportunity to complete a Student Feedback on Teaching (SFT) questionnaire to provide feedback for individual teaching staff.

As a result of student feedback, the following changes and improvements to this Subject have recently been made:

• Modified assessment weightings - including removal of final exam

• Modified report requirements

• More case studies added

• Structure of the practicals changed to reduce the number of sessions from 3 to 2

2. Learning and Teaching Activities

The above timetable should be used as a guide only, as it is subject to change. Students will be advised of any changes as they become known on the Subjects vUWS site

3. Assessment Information

3.1 Subject Learning Outcomes

3.2 Assessment Summary

The assessment items in this subject are designed to enable you to demonstrate that you have achieved the subject learning outcomes. Completion and submission of all assessment items which have been designated as mandatory or compulsory is essential to receive a passing grade.

To pass this subject you must:

• Achieve a mark of at least 40% (16/40) in the final report

• Achieve a cumulative mark of at least 50 overall

Feedback on Assessment

Feedback is an important part of the learning process that can improve your progress towards achieving the learning outcomes. Feedback is any written or spoken response made in relation to academic work such as an assessment task, a performance or product. It can be given to you by a teacher, an external assessor or student peer, and may be given individually or to a group of students. As a Western Sydney University student, it is your responsibility to seek out and act on feedback that is provided to you as a resource to further your learning.

• Quizzes: Quiz marks will be calculated after each attempt so you will immediately see your mark /10. The answers and feedback will be withheld until the Wednesday workshop following each

• Drafts: Feedback on draft reports is available during the tutorial

• Reports: Feedback on the first report will be available within 2 weeks of the due Feedback on the final report will be withheld until final subject grades are released in July (TBC).

You can access your submitted quizzes and reports through the My Grades tab in vUWS. Help videos are also located in the assessment folders to help you find your feedback online.

Academic Integrity and Student Misconduct Rule

Western cares about your success as a student and in your future career. Studying with academic integrity safeguards your professional reputation and your degree. All Western students must:

• be familiar with the policies listed below;

• apply principles of academic integrity;

• act honestly and ethically in producing all academic work and assessment tasks; and

• submit work that is their own and acknowledge any sources used in their

Each time you submit an assessment, you will declare that you have completed it individually, unless it is a group assignment. In the case of a group assignment, each group member should be ready to document their individual contribution if needed.

The Student Misconduct Rule applies to all students of Western Sydney University including Western Sydney University programs taught by other education providers. You must not engage in academic, research or general misconduct as defined in the Rule or you may be subject to sanctions. The University considers submitting falsified documentation in support of requests to redo, resit or extend submissions, including sitting of deferred examinations, as instances of general misconduct.

More information is available in the Academic Integrity Guidelines. It is your responsibility to apply these principles to all work you submit to the University.

Disruption to Studies and Requests for Extensions

Western recognises that there may be times when things outside of your control impact your ability to complete your studies.

You can complete the Request an extension or apply for a Disruption to Studies Provision to request that you are:

• granted an extension,

• excused from a compulsory teaching activity,

• provided an alternate assessment such as a supplementary, or

• awarded another Disruption to Studies

Before you fill in the form, you should:

• Compile any documentary evidence that you have which demonstrates that you have been impacted by an event outside of your

• The Supporting Documentation website outlines the type of documents that you can submit to substantiate any impact.

Please note that if you dont have documents, you should still submit the form but you may be asked for documentation at a later stage.

Need help?

If you are having difficulties with understanding or completing an assessment task, contact your Subject Coordinator as soon as possible. Western also has a range of academic support services, including:

• Library Study Smart: book a one-to-one Zoom consultation with a literacy You can discuss how to develop your assignment writing and study skills or seek assistance to understand referencing and citation requirements. Check the Library Study Smart website for how-to study guides and tools.

• Studiosity: Upload your assignment draft to Studiosity within vUWS to receive writing feedback within 24 hours.

• Online workshops, programs and resources: From maths and stats help to academic literacy and peer support programs, the University has a range of resources to

Please also remember that there is a range of wellbeing support available - from counselling and disability services to welfare

3.2.1 Quiz

Instructions:

Online quizzes are conducted through the Quiz folder in vUWS throughout the semester.

• The quizzes will be available from 6am on Friday prior to each due date (i.e. they are open for 3 days)

• Quizzes will close at 11:59pm on the due dates

• From the commencement of the quiz, students will have a maximum of 30 minutes to complete Once the 30 min has been reached, the quiz will close to students and automatically submit the current progress.

• Each quiz may be attempted twice with the higher grade

• Each attempt will contain 20 questions taken randomly from a large question

• You are advised to take this quiz on-campus to ensure a stable internet connection is

Quiz 1: Modules 1-4

Content: Units, notation, nomenclature, materials, material properties, loading on structures, wind actions, and structural actions

Required resources: NCC Volume 1. AS/NZS 1170 parts 0, 1 and 2. AS 4055. Structural steel products catalogue. Beam, shear, moment and deflection examples document

Quiz 2: Modules 5-7

Content: Reinforced concrete beams, slabs, columns and construction, and prestressed concrete. Prac 1 and concrete testing in Prac 2.

Required resources: AS 3600. Beam, shear, moment and deflection examples document. Lab notes from Pracs 1 and 2.

Quiz 3: Modules 8-10

Content: Steel beams, columns, tensile members, and connections. Steel testing in Prac 2.

Required resources: AS 4100. ASI member capacity tables. Structural steel products catalogue. Beam, shear, moment and deflection examples document. Lab notes from Prac 2.

3.2.2 Report on structural design considerations

Instructions:

Students are to study a medium/large construction project with focus on the structural design considerations including building materials, loading on structures, and structural member types. Several case studies are available in the subject vUWS page Case studies folder to report on.

Detailed instructions and marking rubric can be found in a separate assessment outline document available in the Report 1 folder in vUWS. The provided report template will also aid in completing the assessment.

3.2.3 Report on structural system and compliance

Instructions:

Students are to study a medium/large construction project with focus on the structural system including the system/members, member strength, connections, and an evaluation of the overall project. The chosen project should be the same project selected for Report 1.

Detailed instructions and marking rubric can be found in a separate assessment outline document available in the report 2 folder in vUWS. The provided report template will also aid in completing the assessment

4. Readings and Resources

4.1 Essential Readings Essential Reading

Australian Building Codes Board 2022, National Construction Code, https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-online/NCC.

Standards Australia Online 2002, Structural design actions - General principles, AS/NZS 1170.0:2002/Amdt 5:2011, amended 22 Sept 2011, Techstreet database.

Standards Australia Online 2002, Structural design actions - Permanent, imposed and other actions, AS/NZS 1170.1:2002 (R2016), amended 16 December 2016, Techstreet database.

Standards Australia Online 2010, Timber structures - Design methods, AS 1720.1-2010/Amdt 3-2015, amended 13 Aug 2015, Techstreet database.

Standards Australia Online 2017, Composite structures - Composite steel-concrete construction in buildings, AS/NZS 2327:2017/Amd 1:2020, amended 20 June 2020, viewed 7 December 2021, Techstreet database.

Standards Australia Online 2017, Composite structures - Composite steel-concrete construction in buildings, AS/NZS 2327:2017/Amd 1:2020, amended 20 June 2020, viewed 7 December 2021, Techstreet database.

Standards Australia Online 2020, Steel structures, AS 4100:2020/Amdt 1:2021, amended 17 September 2021, Techstreet database.

Standards Australia Online 2021, Structural design actions - Wind actions, AS/NZS 1170.2:2021, SAI Global database.

Standards Australia Online 2021, Wind loads for housing, AS 4055:2021/Amdt 1:2024, amended 21 June 2024, Techstreet database.

4.2 Recommended Readings Additional Reading

Aghayere, AO & Vigil, J 2020, Structural steel design, 3rd edn, Mercury Learning & Information, Dulles, Virginia.

Allen, E & Iano, J 2019, Fundamentals of building construction: materials and methods, 7th edn, Wiley, Hoboken.

Australian Steel Institute 2016, Design capacity tables for structural steel. Volume 1., Open sections, 5th edn, Australian Steel Institute, North Sydney, NSW.

Cherry, B & Green, W 2021, Corrosion and protection of reinforced concrete, CRC Press, London.

Chess, P & Green, W 2020, Durability of reinforced concrete structures, CRC Press, London. Emmit, S 2019, Barrys advanced construction of buildings, 4th edn, Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken

Emmit, S 2019, Barrys introduction to construction of buildings, 4th edn, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, England Fu, F 2018, Design and analysis of tall and complex structures, Elsevier Science & Technology, Saint Louis.

Gilbert, RI, Mickleborough, NC & Ranzi, G 2015, Design of prestressed concrete to AS3600-2009, 2nd edn, CRC, Boca Raton.

Gorenc, B, Syam, A & Tinyou, R 2012, Steel designers handbook, 8th edn, UNSW Press, Sydney. Hassoun, MN & Al-Manaseer, AA 2015, Structural concrete: theory and design, 6th edn, Wiley, Hoboken. Holmes, JD 2015, Wind loading of structures, 3rd edn, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Knappett, JA & Craig, RF 2012, Craigs soil mechanics, 8th edn, Spon Press, London.

Liang, QQ 2015, Analysis and design of steel and composite structures, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Loo, YC & Chowdhury, SH 2010, Reinforced and prestressed concrete analysis and design with emphasis on application of AS3600-2009, Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, Vic.

Mehta, M, Scarborough, W & Armpriest, D 2013, Building construction : principles, materials, and systems, 2nd edn, Pearson, Boston.

Nastar, N & Liu, R (eds) 2019, Failure case studies: steel structures, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia.

Pham, L 2007, Actions on structures: regulations and standards, EJSE Special Issue: Loading on Structures, no. 1, pp. 4-8, .

Ranzi, G and Gilbert, RI 2015, Structural analysis: principles, methods and modelling, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, FL.

4.3 Other Teaching and Learning Resources

5. Key Teaching and Learning Policies

The University has several policies that relate to teaching and learning. Links to important policies affecting students are below. It is your responsibility to ensure you familiarise yourself with these policies so that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities.

• Assessment Policy

• Assessment Policy - Review of Grade Procedures

• Bullying Prevention Policy

• Disruption to Studies Policy

• Enrolment Policy

• Examinations Policy

• Learning and Teaching Policy

• Progression Policy

• Student Code of Conduct

• Student Misconduct Rule