Associate-Membership Examination A

Associate-Membership Examination
Thursday 28 April 2011

Structural Engineering Design and Practice

09.30 13.00 and 13.30 17.00 (Discussion
between individuals is not permitted during lunch
period). A period of fifteen minutes is provided for
reading the question paper, immediately before the
commencement of the examination. Candidates are
not permitted to write in answer sheets, or on
drawing paper or to use a calculator during this time.
Candidates must satisfy the Examiners in ONE
question.

Important
The written answer to the question selected and any
A3 drawings must bear the candidates number and
the question number at the bottom of the page. Only
the answer sheets supplied by the Institution may
be used. The candidates name should not appear
anywhere in the script.
Notes to Candidates
1.

TO PASS THE EXAMINATION,

CANDIDATES MUST SATISFY THE
EXAMINERS IN BOTH PARTS OF THE
QUESTION ATTEMPTED.

2. Examiners will only mark work written by hand

during the examination.
3.

A fair proportion of marks will be awarded for

the demonstration of an understanding of
fundamental engineering concepts, as distinct
from calculation of member forces and sizes.
NOTE: In the calculation part of all questions,
establishing form and size is taken to mean
compliance with all relevant design criteria, i.e.
bending, shear, deflection, etc.

4. In all questions 30 marks are allocated to Section

1 and 70 marks to Section 2.

5.

The Examiners are looking for sound structural

designs. It should also be remembered that
aesthetics, economy and function are important
in any competent engineering scheme.

6. Any assumptions made and the design data and

criteria adopted must be stated.
7.

Portable computers or programmable calculators

may be used but sufficient calculations must be
submitted to substantiate the design, and these
should be set out as in practice.

8.

Good clear drawings and sketches are required;

they should show all salient and structural
features to suitable scales and should
incorporate adequate details.

9.

Candidates will not be allowed to include any

previously prepared calculations, notes,
sketches, diagrams, computer output or other
similar material in their answer sheets or A3
drawings. Any previously prepared information
submitted by candidates will be ignored by the
examiners.

10. Strictly no external electronic contact is allowed

between a candidate and anyone outside the

examination venue. Mobile phones must be

switched off throughout the duration of the

examination.
11. This paper is set in SI Units.
Now read Reminder on page 3.

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Associate-Membership Examination 3

Associate-Membership Examination,
a reminder from your Examiners
The work you are about to start has many features
in common with other examinations which you have
tackled successfully but it also has some which are
unusual.
As in every examination you must follow carefully the
NOTES FOR CANDIDATES set out for your guidance
on the front cover of this paper; allocate the available
time sensibly and set out your work in a logical and
clear way.
The unusual requirement of the examination is that
you demonstrate the validity of the training and
experience that you have acquired in recent years.
The Institution must be satisfied that you are able to
bring all the various skills you are expected to
possess to the effective solution of structural design
problems whether or not the problem is presented
in terms that are within your actual experience.
Incorporated Structural Engineers must have the
ability to design and a facility to communicate their
design intentions. Where you are required to describe
structural solutions you must show by brief, clear,
logical and systematic presentation that you
understood the general structural engineering
principles involved.
In selecting and developing your design you should
also remember the guidance given in the
Institutions report, Aims of Structural Design, and in
particular:
(1) the structure must be safe,
(2) a good design has certain typical features
simplicity, unity and necessity,
(3) the structure must fulfil its intended function.
If you have difficulty in deciding the correct
interpretation of a question, pay particular attention to
point 6. notes to candidates, on the front cover. The
examiners will take into account your interpretation
and the design you base on this if this is clearly
stated at the beginning of your answer.

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Associate-Membership Examination 5

Question 1. Student Accommodation Block

Clients Requirements
1.

A new block of student accommodation situated on an open campus site, comprising student bedrooms,
store rooms, study/dining room and common areas. See Figure Q1.

2.

There is to be 30 bedrooms and 2 stores rooms at each floor level. Each bedroom and store room is to have
an overall plan area of 6.0m long by 4.0m wide. A 2.0m wide corridor is required for access.

3.

No columns are permitted within any bedroom, the study/dining room or the common areas.

4.

The overall height of the building is not to exceed 16.0m and each floor is to have a clear floor to ceiling height
of 2.6m. A 150mm raised floor void is required for services.

5.

The external cladding to the building is to be of cavity wall construction comprising 102mm brickwork, 100mm
blockwork and 60mm insulation.

6.

The roof construction is to be of plain clay tiles on battens with insulation supported by timber rafters.

Imposed Loading
7.

Roof
1.0kN/m
Floors
3.0kN/m
Imposed loading includes allowances for finishes, services and partitions.

Site Conditions
8.
9.
10.

The site is level and located on the outskirts of a town.

Basic wind speed 46m/s based on a 3 second gust; the equivalent mean hourly wind speed is 23m/s.
Ground conditions:
Ground 1.0m
Top soil and fill
1.0m 3.0m
Alluvial deposits, C = 10kN/m2
3.0m 8.0m
Sand and gravel, N = 15
Below 8.0m
Firm to stiff clay, C = 200kN/m2
Ground water was encountered 4.0m below ground level.

Omit From Consideration

11. Detailed design of the stair and lift shafts, although their contribution (if any) to the overall stability and load

transfer must be stated in Section 1(a).

SECTION 1

(30 marks)

a.

Prepare a design appraisal with appropriate sketches indicating a viable structural solution for the proposed
scheme. Indicate clearly the functional framing, load transfer and stability aspects of the scheme. Justify the
reasons for your solution.

(20 marks)

b.

The client proposes, after completion of the construction, and before occupation, that the two recessed
areas are in filled to create more accommodation and a rectangular building. Explain the effect this will have
on the construction and the original design.

(10 marks)

SECTION 2

(70 marks)

For the solution recommended in Section 1(a):

c.

Prepare sufficient design calculations to establish the form and size of all principal structural elements
including the foundations.

(30 marks)

d. Prepare general arrangement plans, sections and elevations to show the dimensions, layout and disposition

of the structural elements for estimating purposes. Prepare clearly annotated sketches to illustrate details of:

(i) The roof and external wall at eaves level.

(ii) A perimeter column at ground floor level.
(30 marks)

e. Prepare a detailed method statement for the safe construction of the building.
(10 marks)

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Associate-Membership Examination 7

Question 2. Sculpture Platform and Visitor Centre

Clients Requirements
1.

A visitor centre is required for the 2012 London Olympic games. It must also support a monumental sculpture
The Turbine Blades. See figure Q2.

2.

The visitor centre is to be an equal sided pentagon in plan. Its roof must be designed to support the sculpture
which is placed centrally. The sculpture will include an integral rigid plinth which imposes a vertical load, a lateral
wind force and an overturning moment to the roof structure. To keep the visitor centre as open as possible
only one internal column is allowed and this must fit inside a 500mm internal diameter circular casing.

3.

Clear headroom of 4.0m and a services zone of 0.5m are required. The bottom of the sculpture base plinth is
required to be no more than 7.5m above ground so that the sculpture does not extend beyond a 40m height limit.

Imposed Loading
4. Roof, other than sculpture
1.5kN/m

Loads from sculpture
Vertical load 400kN

Lateral wind force (in any direction) 240kN

Overturning moment (in any direction) 3600kNm

Floor
10.0kN/m

The roof and floor loadings include allowances for finishes and services.

Site Conditions
5.

The site for the visitor centre is level and open. A canal runs within 30m of the proposed building.
The completed sculpture will be placed horizontally on a barge and transported to the site along this canal.

6.

Basic wind speed 40m/s based on a 3 second gust; the equivalent mean hourly wind speed is 20m/s.

7.

Ground conditions:
Ground level 2.0m Topsoil
2.0m 12.0m
Medium clay, C = 75kN/m2
12.0m 35.0m
Stiff clay, C = 175kN/m2
The highest recorded ground water level is 1m below ground level.

Omit From Consideration

8.

Design of the sculpture and its integral rigid plinth.

SECTION 1

(30 marks)

a.

Prepare a design appraisal with appropriate sketches indicating a viable structural solution for the proposed
scheme. Indicate clearly the functional framing, load transfer and stability aspects of the scheme. Justify the
reasons for your solution.

(20 marks)

b.

During site formation works the remains of a mosaic floor of a Roman villa are found in the centre of the
proposed building. The remains are 5m in diameter. The client asks what the implication for the roof structure
would be if it is decided to preserve and display the mosaic. Describe how this could be achieved, using
sketches to illustrate your solution.

(10 marks)

SECTION 2

(70 marks)

For the solution recommended in Section 1(a):

c.

Prepare sufficient design calculations to establish the form and size of all principal structural elements including
the foundations.

(30 marks)

d.

Prepare general arrangement plans, sections and elevations to show the dimensions, layout and disposition of
the structural elements for estimating purposes. Prepare clearly annotated sketches to illustrate details of:
(i) The central connection of the roof members under the sculpture plinth.
(ii) A typical perimeter foundation, ground floor and column connection at ground floor level.

(30 marks)

e.

Prepare a detailed method statement for the safe erection of the sculpture onto the roof.

(10 marks)

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Associate-Membership Examination 9

Question 3. Watertight Tanks

Clients Requirements
1.

A pair or watertight tanks. See Figure Q3.

2.

The tanks are to be constructed in reinforced concrete.

3.

The tanks are part of a drainage system. Water flows along a channel into the selected tank and out again
at the far end. One or other of the tanks is selected using a pair of gates.

4.

For maintenance purposes, one tank may be completely emptied while the other tank remains full.

5.

A large paved area surrounds the inlet channel and tanks to provide access for maintenance plant and equipment.

Imposed Loading
6.

Paved area 10.0kN/m

Site Conditions
7.

The site is a level and open area.

8.

Ground conditions:
Ground level 1.6m Granular fill
Below 1.6m
Horizontally bedded limestone
No groundwater was encountered.

SECTION 1

(30 marks)

a.

Prepare a design appraisal with appropriate sketches indicating a viable structural solution for the proposed
scheme. Indicate clearly the functional framing, load transfer and stability aspects of the scheme. Justify the
reasons for your solution.

(20 marks)

b.

After completion of the design the client raises concerns about the safety of operation and maintenance activities
adjacent to the open tanks. Explain how the tanks can be safely operated and maintained.
(10 marks)

SECTION 2

(70 marks)

For the solution recommended in Section 1(a):

c.

Prepare sufficient design calculations to establish the form and size of all principal structural elements including
the foundations.

(30 marks)

d.

Prepare general arrangement plans, sections and elevations to show the dimensions, layout and disposition
of the structural elements for estimating purposes. Prepare clearly annotated sketches to illustrate details of:
(i) Construction joints in the tanks.
(ii) The gates and their guiding frame.

(30 marks)

e.

Prepare a detailed method statement for the safe construction of the tanks.

(10 marks)

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Associate-Membership Examination 11

Question 4. Viewing Tower

Clients Requirements
1.

A viewing tower is required to overlook an exposed coastal site. The tower is to have an observation area
located at a height of 12m, accessed by a spiral staircase. See figure Q4.

2.

A roof is required over the observation area.

3.

The sides of the observation area are to be constructed with the minimum of obstructions.

4.

The staircase is to be provided with a weatherproof envelope to protect users.

Imposed Loading
5.

Roof
Observation area floor

0.75kN/m
5.0kN/m

Site Conditions
6.

The site is level and open.

7.
8.

Basic wind speed 44m/s based on a 3 second gust; the equivalent mean hourly wind speed is 22m/s.
Ground conditions:
Ground level 3.0m
Loose sand, N = 5
Below 3.0m
Chalk, allowable bearing pressure 100kN/m
No groundwater was encountered.

Omit From Consideration

9.

Local design of the spiral staircase.

SECTION 1

(30 marks)

a.

Prepare a design appraisal with appropriate sketches indicating a viable structural solution for the proposed
scheme. Indicate clearly the functional framing, load transfer and stability aspects of the scheme. Justify the
reasons for your solution.

(20 marks)

b.

Upon completion of the design the client asks whether the tower can be increased in height to 15m to the
observation area. Describe the implications this will have on the original design.

(10 marks)

SECTION 2

(70 marks)

For the solution recommended in Section 1(a):

c.

Prepare sufficient design calculations to establish the form and size of all principal structural elements including
the foundations.

(30 marks)

d.

Prepare general arrangement plans, sections and elevations to show the dimensions, layout and disposition of
the structural elements for estimating purposes. Prepare clearly annotated sketches to illustrate details of:
(i) The formation of the opening in the floor of the observation area.
(ii) The connection of the barrier with the supporting structure.

(30 marks)

e.

Prepare a detailed method statement for the safe construction of the tower.

(10 marks)

The Institution of Structural Engineers

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