Subject Datasheet

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I. Subject Specification

1. Basic Data
1.1 Title
Steel Structures
1.2 Code
BMEEOHSAT42
1.3 Type
Module with associated contact hours
1.4 Contact hours
Type Hours/week / (days)
Lecture 3
1.5 Evaluation
Midterm grade
1.6 Credits
3
1.7 Coordinator
name Dr. Kövesdi Balázs Géza (fall semester), Dr. Kovács Nauzika (spring semester)
academic rank Associate professor
email kovesdi.balazs@emk.bme.hu
1.8 Department
Department of Structural Engineering
1.9 Website
https://epito.bme.hu/BMEEOHSAT42
https://edu.epito.bme.hu/course/view.php?id=4700
1.10 Language of instruction
hungarian and english
1.11 Curriculum requirements
Compulsory in the Civil Engineering (BSc) programme
1.12 Prerequisites
Strong prerequisites:
  • Introduction to Strength of Materials (BMEEOTMAT42)
  • Basis of Design (BMEEOHSAT41)
Weak prerequisites:
  • Construction Materials I. (BMEEOEMAT43)
1.13 Effective date
5 February 2020
2. Objectives and learning outcomes
2.1 Objectives
Lectures of Steel Structures have the general aim to study the basics of the design of steel structures, which consists of the design of simple structural members, simple joints and the investigation of the basic failure phenomenon, which can occur in steel structures. The students get knowledge in the following topics: steel grades, mechanical properties of the steel material; calculation of cross-sectional properties; design of centrically loaded tension members; design of centrically loaded compression members; buckling problem – behaviour – design method; design of beams: construction, behaviour under bending and shear interaction; beam structural behaviour - design approaches for lateral torsional buckling; design of bolted connections; design of welded connections; fatigue design and brittle fracture; plate buckling phenomena, basics of the cross-section classification.
2.2 Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student:
A. Knowledge
  1. knows the limit states used for design of steel structures,
  2. knows the design method of centrically loaded tension members,
  3. knows the design method of centrically loaded compression members,
  4. knows the design method of restrained beam members loaded by bending and shear,
  5. knows the design method used for lateral torsional buckling,
  6. knows the design basics of bolted joints,
  7. knows the design basics of welded joints,
  8. knows the buckling phenomena and the basics of the cross-section classification.
B. Skills
  1. can design a centrically loaded tension member,
  2. can calculate the buckling resistance of centrically loaded compression member,
  3. can perform the cross-section check of beam elements,
  4. can calculate the lateral torsional buckling resistance of beams,
  5. can calculate the resistance of bolted joints,
  6. can calculate the resistance of welded joints,
C. Attitudes
  1. is ready to learn advanced new design methods,
  2. is intent on learning and applying the relevant tools of steel structural design,
  3. is intent on precise and error-free problem solving,
D. Autonomy and Responsibility
  1. is able to autonomously evaluate the design problems of steel structures and able to autonomously complete design calculations based on the literature.
2.3 Methods
Lectures, large hall calculation examples, communication in written and oral form, application of IT devices and techniques.
2.4 Course outline
Week Topics of lectures and/or exercise classes
1. Introduction. Steel, as a structural material; mechanical properties; notations; steel production.
2. Centrically loaded tension members. Structural layout – behaviour – design method.
3. Centrically loaded compression members. Buckling problem: Structural layout – behaviour – design method.
4. Centrically loaded compression members. Buckling length determination.
5. Beams: construction, behaviour under bending and shear and M-V interaction. Behaviour - design approaches.
6. Beams: Lateral torsional buckling. Behaviour – design approaches, general and simplified design methods.
7. Design philosophy of beam members – examples.
8. Design and layout of steel joints; construction aspects of welded and bolted joints and their application fields.
9. Design of welded connections: structural layouts, structural behaviour, limit states, design approaches.
10. Design of welded connections / design approaches / examples.
11. Design of bolted connections: structural layouts, structural behaviour, limit states, design approaches.
12. Design of bolted connections / design approaches / examples.
13. Plate buckling phenomena, design methods.
14. Basics of the cross section classification; conceptional design of steel structures / case studies.

The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.
2.5 Study materials
a) Textbooks
1. Halász, Platthy: Acélszerkezetek.
b) Online materials
1. Lecture notes
2. Examples for practical design of steel structures
2.6 Other information
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2.7 Consultation

The instructors are available for consultation during their office hours, as advertised on the department website. Special appointments can be requested via e-mail: kovesdi.balazs@emk.bme.hu (fall semester) and kovacs.nauzika@emk.bme.hu (spring semester).
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2025/2026 semester I

II. Subject requirements

Assessment and evaluation of the learning outcomes
3.1 General rules
The assessment of the learning outcomes specified in clause 2.2. above and the evaluation of student performance occurs via midterm tests, home works and attendance on the lectures.
3.2 Assessment methods
Evaluation form Abbreviation Assessed learning outcomes
1. midterm exam (summary evaluation) MT1 A.1-A.3; B.1-B.2; C.1-C.3; D.1
2. midterm exam (summary evaluation) MT2 A.4-A.5; B.3-B.4; C.1-C.3; D.1
3. midterm exam (summary evaluation) MT3 A.6-A.8; B.5-B.6; C.1-C.3; D.1
1-3 home work HW A.1-A.8; B.1-B.6; C.1-C.3; D.1
attendance and activity (optional; positive only) A A.1-A.8; B.1-B.6

The dates of deadlines of assignments/homework can be found in the detailed course schedule on the subject’s website.
3.3 Evaluation system
Abbreviation Score
MT1 33%
MT2 33%
MT3 34%
Sum 100%
HW bonus 10%
Sum+bonus 110%

Midterm exams:
  • All midterm exams have theoretical (test) and practical (examples) parts.
  • Successful completion of all three midterm exams—both theoretical (test) and practical (example) parts—with a score of at least 30% is a necessary but not sufficient condition for passing the course; see point 3.5.
Home works:
  • Home works are optional.
  • The aim of the home works are the preparation for hte practical part of the midterms. They are parametric practical examples, unique for each students.
  • Max. 10 bonus points are gained by Home works.
3.4 Requirements and validity of signature
No signature can be achieved.
3.5 Grading system

The course performance evaluation system includes 3 mandatory midterm exams and several smaller, optional calculation-based homework assignments.

The midterms consist of a theoretical (test) and a practical (example) parts. To pass the course, students must achieve at least 30% of the points in both parts of all three midterms (test: 4 points, example: 6 points). Any midterm with a score below 30% is considered failed andmust be retaken. A score of 30% or higher is considered successful.

Attention! A minimum of 50 points must be earned from the midterms to achieve a passing grade. If all midterms are passed with only the minimum 30%, the total score will still fall short of the passing threshold!

Achiavble max. points:
Abbreviation Max points
MT1 33 point (theory:13 point + practice: 20 point)
MT2 33 point (theory:13 point + practice: 20 point)
MT3 34 point (theory:14 point + practice: 20 point)
Sum 100 points
HW Bonus 10 points
Sum+ bonus 110 point

The grade of the semester based on the gained points:
Grade Points (P)
excellent (5) 85<=P
good (4) 75<=P<85
satisfactory (3) 65<=P<75
passed (2) 50<=P<65
failed (1) P<50
3.6 Retake and repeat
  1. Each midterm exam (ZH) can be retaken once, according to the schedule.
  2. A failed midterm (<30%) must be improved during the retake opportunity.
  3. A passed midterm (≥30%) may be improved during the retake opportunity.
  4. The better result between the original and the retake will be considered.
  5. Homework assignments are optional, cannot be corrected or retaken, and are intended to support preparation for the midterms.
  6. With optional homework, a maximum of 10 bonus points can be earned, which will be added onlyto midterm scores that are50 points or above.
3.7 Estimated workload
Activity Hours/semester
contact hours 14×3=42
preparation for the tests , home works 2×16=32
home studying of the written material 16
Sum 90
3.8 Effective date
5 September 2025
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2025/2026 semester I