Subject Datasheet
Completion requirements
Subject Datasheet
Download PDFI. Subject Specification
1. Basic Data
1.1 Title
Structural Design
1.2 Code
BMEEOHSMSFST07-00
1.3 Type
Module with associated contact hours
1.4 Contact hours
| Type | Hours/week / (days) |
| Lecture | 2 |
| Seminar | 1 |
1.5 Evaluation
Exam
1.6 Credits
5
1.7 Coordinator
| name | Dr. Kovács Nauzika |
| academic rank | Associate professor |
| kovacs.nauzika@emk.bme.hu |
1.8 Department
Department of Structural Engineering
1.9 Website
1.10 Language of instruction
hungarian
1.11 Curriculum requirements
Compulsory in the Specialization of Structures, Strcutural Engineering (MSc) programme
1.12 Prerequisites
1.13 Effective date
1 September 2025
2. Objectives and learning outcomes
2.1 Objectives
The objective of the subject is to provide the student with a comprehensive knowledge on the structural behaviour of complex structures, curved steel and concrete shells, 3D truss structures and their design are introduced. The most important analytical solutions and the basics and assumptions of numerical solutions are presented. The structural arrangement and the design methods of cable and tensioned membrane structures are concluded in the subject.
The digital teaching methodology used in the course effectively supports students' skills development and the acquisition of the outcome requirements.
2.2 Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student:
A. Knowledge
1. Know the types of shells and to define curved surface
2. Know the static behaviour of edge girders.
3. Know the behaviour of column like 3D trusses.
4. Known the behaviour of hell like 3D trusses.
5. Know the behaviour and structural arrangements of grid shells.
6. Known the behaviour and structural arrangements of cable structures and cable roofs.
7. Know the behaviour and structural arrangements of tensegrity structures and cable domes.
8. Know the behaviour and structural arrangements of tensioned membrane structures.
9. Know the concept of AI application in structural design.
10. Know the concept of parametric design.
2. Know the static behaviour of edge girders.
3. Know the behaviour of column like 3D trusses.
4. Known the behaviour of hell like 3D trusses.
5. Know the behaviour and structural arrangements of grid shells.
6. Known the behaviour and structural arrangements of cable structures and cable roofs.
7. Know the behaviour and structural arrangements of tensegrity structures and cable domes.
8. Know the behaviour and structural arrangements of tensioned membrane structures.
9. Know the concept of AI application in structural design.
10. Know the concept of parametric design.
B. Skills
1. Able to calculate the internal forces of cylindrical shells loaded with circularly symmetric loads.
2. Able to solve membrane problems.
3. Able to define the identical continuum of 3D grids.
4. Able to understand the structural behaviour of shell like 3D trusses.
5. Able to define the structural behaviour of cable structures.
6. Able to understand the structural behaviour of tensegrity structures and cable domes.
7. Able to understand the structural behaviour of tension membrane structures.
8. Able to process and use literature sources.
9. Able to understant the concept of AI application in structural design.
10. Able to understant the concept of parametric design.
2. Able to solve membrane problems.
3. Able to define the identical continuum of 3D grids.
4. Able to understand the structural behaviour of shell like 3D trusses.
5. Able to define the structural behaviour of cable structures.
6. Able to understand the structural behaviour of tensegrity structures and cable domes.
7. Able to understand the structural behaviour of tension membrane structures.
8. Able to process and use literature sources.
9. Able to understant the concept of AI application in structural design.
10. Able to understant the concept of parametric design.
C. Attitudes
1. Is intent on completing the tasks to the best of their ability, to a high standard, accurately and without errors.
2. Open to learning about professional, technological development and innovation in the field of structural engineering.
3. Continuously extends his/her knowledge.
4. Is intent on learning about complex structures and understand their structural behaviour.
5. Attending to the classes as a responsible member of the community
2. Open to learning about professional, technological development and innovation in the field of structural engineering.
3. Continuously extends his/her knowledge.
4. Is intent on learning about complex structures and understand their structural behaviour.
5. Attending to the classes as a responsible member of the community
D. Autonomy and Responsibility
1. Complete home work individually, in case of difficulty asks help from teachers or fellow students.
2. Is open to new design procedures.
3. Uses cognitive skills to make decisions and to move logically from one idea to another.
4. Uses a specific working method to carry out its activities with or without little supervision.
2.3 Methods
Lectures, exercises, written and oral communications, application of IT tools and techniques, assignments solved individually.
At the end of the semester, industry invited speakers will present the design and construction processes of built structures relevant to the subject, the presentations will be interactive, and student questions and interest will be encouraged.
2.4 Course outline
1. General methods of structural design. Selection of the proper structural material.
2. Behaviour of shell structures. Membrane forces, shell supports.
3. Elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic shells.
4. Stiffness, static behaviour of edge girders.
5. 3D truss structures, elements of 3D trusses, identical continuum. Behaviour and structural arrangements of column like 3D trusses.
6. Behaviour and structural arrangements of shell like 3D trusses.
7. Behaviour and structural arrangements of gris shells. Behaviour and structural arrangements of cable structures.
9. Behaviour and structural arrangements of suspended roofs and cable roofs. Behaviour and structural arrangements of cable domes.
10. Types, design method and structural behaviour of membrane structures.
11. AI assisted design
12. Paraméteres tervezés
13-14. Invited lecturers: life cycl analysis, carbon fotprint, case studies of 3D trusses, cable structures, membrane structures. 14. Invited lecturers - case studies of 3D trusses, cable structures, membrane structures.
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. Behaviour of shell structures. Membrane forces, shell supports.
3. Elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic shells.
4. Stiffness, static behaviour of edge girders.
5. 3D truss structures, elements of 3D trusses, identical continuum. Behaviour and structural arrangements of column like 3D trusses.
6. Behaviour and structural arrangements of shell like 3D trusses.
7. Behaviour and structural arrangements of gris shells. Behaviour and structural arrangements of cable structures.
9. Behaviour and structural arrangements of suspended roofs and cable roofs. Behaviour and structural arrangements of cable domes.
10. Types, design method and structural behaviour of membrane structures.
11. AI assisted design
12. Paraméteres tervezés
13-14. Invited lecturers: life cycl analysis, carbon fotprint, case studies of 3D trusses, cable structures, membrane structures. 14. Invited lecturers - case studies of 3D trusses, cable structures, membrane structures.
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
Online materials
1. Lectures and slides
2. Practices
3. Sample problems
4. Sample exams
2.6 Other information
1. Attendance to lectures is compulsory. The signature and credits from the subject will be refused to students missing more than what is defined in the Code of Studies of BME.
2. Students are evaluated based on their actual individual performance. Students are required to show evidence of their own knowledge and skills. Submitting a work of others, obtaining or giving unauthorized help (e.g. during an exam or test) cheating and plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. Whoever violate the respective Regulations of the University will be given a failing grade (1), without the possibility of retake and repeat, and will be reported to the Dean’s Office.
2. Students are evaluated based on their actual individual performance. Students are required to show evidence of their own knowledge and skills. Submitting a work of others, obtaining or giving unauthorized help (e.g. during an exam or test) cheating and plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. Whoever violate the respective Regulations of the University will be given a failing grade (1), without the possibility of retake and repeat, and will be reported to the Dean’s Office.
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.
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2025/2026 semester II
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 a midterm test and examination.
3.2 Assessment methods
| Assessment Name (Type) | Code | Assessed Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. midterm test | MT1 | A.1-A.2; B.1-B.2 |
| class activity | A | A.9-10; B.9-10 |
| Written exam | E | A.1-A.8; B.1-B.8; C.1-C.5; D.1-D.4 |
The dates of deadlines of assignments/homework can be found in the detailed course schedule on the subject’s website.
3.3 Evaluation system
| Code | Weight |
|---|---|
| MT1 | 20% |
| A | 20% |
| E | 60% |
| Total | 100% |
3.4 Requirements and validity of signature
Criterion for the signature is to collect at least 50% of the total points of the study priod according to Section 3.3.
If the applicant does not take the examination course with an earlier acquired signature, his or her points are overwritten by his or her new points.
The previously acquired point can be taken into account in the next 6 semesters.
3.5 Grading system
| Grade | Score (P) |
|---|---|
| excellent (5) | 80≤P |
| good (4) | 70≤P<80% |
| satisfactory (3) | 60≤P<70% |
| pass (2) | 50≤P<60% |
| fail (1) | P<50% |
3.6 Retake and repeat
1. The midterm test can be repeated – once without fee – at a previously determined date given in the course schedule.
2. In case of repetition of the test, the better result will be taken into account for the calculation of the final mark.
3. Class activity can be re-submitted by the end of the week of the lecture, when the activity was completed.
2. In case of repetition of the test, the better result will be taken into account for the calculation of the final mark.
3. Class activity can be re-submitted by the end of the week of the lecture, when the activity was completed.
3.7 Estimated workload
| Activity | Hours/Semester |
|---|---|
| contact hours | 14×3=42 |
| preparation for the lectures | 14×1=14 |
| preparation for the midterm tests | 1×16=16 |
| home studying of the written material | 28 |
| preparation for the exam | 50 |
3.8 Effective date
11 February 2026
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2025/2026 semester II