EGB476 Advanced Steel Design

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This is an advanced level civil engineering unit that provides the required knowledge and skills for the analysis, design and construction of steel buildings. Building on the structural, material and construction units of previous semesters (EGB121, EGB270, EGB275, EGB376), it provides detailed knowledge, skills and experience in determining the wind effects on buildings, structural modelling, analysis and design of steel framed buildings and all their components by engaging in a single storey steel portal frame/truss building project on a real site. The ability to analyse and design steel buildings considering safety, economy, sustainability and constructability is a requirement for a range of graduate civil engineering positions. This unit is the second one in the civil engineering course that provides the knowledge and skills required for this purpose. It will prepare you to pursue a career in structures and/or construction.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Analyse load paths, load combinations, strength and serviceability design requirements for structural engineering systems at a mastered level.
2. Design and detailing of the steel structural members and connections based on load analysis for safety at a mastered level.
3. Compose documentation for the procurement, scheduling and erection of a steel structure at a mastered level.
4. Sketch the designed structural components and assemblies for field construction at a mastered level.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities focusing on the analysis, design and construction of a steel portal frame/truss building:

• Formal lectures, 3 hours per week, from experienced academics and professional civil/structural engineers to give you insight into knowledge, skills, and attributes. You have the opportunity to ask questions during these lectures.
• Tutorial classes, one hour per week, that will give you the opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers to
  solve problems related to steel portal frame/truss analysis and design. They will be facilitated by tutors and will provide an opportunity to test your understanding and gain feedback on your work.

These activities will be detailed by week of the semester on the unit schedule. You can also expect to be provided with learning resources, including video presentations and readings on a unit. You will work independently and as part of a group to complete the analysis and design tasks.

At the beginning of the unit, you will be made aware of the ways in which you can ask questions or seek clarification from the unit coordinator, lecturers and tutors.

You are expected to:

• Engage with timetabled learning activities on campus and ask questions.
• Engage with online resources outside of timetabled learning activities. They will be available on the unit Canvas site. You will receive regular email announcements regarding the release of these resources.
• Work independently to complete a design task related to structural elements in steel portal frame/truss buildings ensuring their safety and compliance with the standards. While there will be time during timetabled tutorial classes, you will also need to undertake independent work outside of that time to complete assessment tasks.
• Prepare for learning activities according to the unit schedule and follow up on any work not completed.

Complete assessment tasks by working consistently throughout the semester and meeting the due dates that are published via the unit Canvas site

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

During tutorial classes and lectures, you will share your formative ideas for your assessments, and you will receive feedback from your tutor and lecturer. You are encouraged to share and discuss emergent ideas about the design of steel structural elements in portal frame/truss buildings and your understanding of civil/structural engineering professional practice. Each assessment submission will be graded against criteria and standards that will be shared with you at the beginning of the semester through Assessment Task Descriptions and Marking Rubrics. Marked assessment will include feedback given by the markers against the criteria.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment is based on a design and construct steel building group project, an in-class collaborative problem solving task, and a final examination at the end of the semester.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Group Problem Solving Task

This is an open-book, verified identity assessment where students are given the opportunity to work as a group and provide design calculations for an authentic steel portal frame/truss design problem. The group work is designed to foster communication skills, teamwork and understanding of social, ethical and safety requirements in structural engineering.

Students will be tasked to solve a specific design problem in steel portal frame/truss buildings and individually submit their solution after identity verification. This will evaluate students’ technical understanding of steel structural design.

• This is a verified identity assessment where students will complete and submit their work in class.
• The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.
• Attendance is compulsory in this assessment. In case of non-attendance, zero marks will be awarded for this assessment. If the attendance is missed due to unforeseen personal circumstances, you can apply for special consideration with the required documentation.
• This assignment is not eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions. 

Assessment: Design Project

The design project has three parts (Design Project Parts 1 and 2). Each Part has two similar tasks. This project fosters collaborative learning, enhances technical communication skills, and promotes an in-depth understanding of steel building design.

Task 1 (for Design Project Parts 1 and 2) (10%):

• This is a viva voce assessment (this is a verified identity assessment where students conduct the design of a steel portal structure and participate in an informal Q&A session). Students' performance will be assessed individually. 
• The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.
• Attendance is compulsory in this assessment. In case of non-attendance, zero marks will be awarded for this assessment. If the attendance is missed due to unforeseen personal circumstances, you can apply for special consideration with the required documentation.
• This assignment is not eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions. 

Task 2 (for Design Project Parts 1 and 2) (30%):

• Submit a group-based written report demonstrating the understanding of steel portal frame/truss design
• The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.
• The written report component is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions. 

Assessment: Examination (written)

To ensure that you have sufficient opportunity to demonstrate the widest range of your knowledge, understanding and skill development, the final examination is comprised of a mixture of problem solving questions and short answer-questions.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Reference book(s)

AS 4100:2020 Australian Standard- Steel Structures, Standards Australia.

Software

Spacgass/Microstran analysis software

Risk Assessment Statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres of QUT. You will follow all legitimate instructions of staff in accordance with QUT workplace health and safety requirements.

Risks may be associated with you visiting study areas and/or project sites. You are required to have completed a valid Workplace Health and Safety course. You shall not enter project sites without the Unit Coordinator's approval. You shall not contact members of the public, public officers or staff associated with any project without permission of the Unit Coordinator. More detailed information will be provided in your Week 1 information class.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

1. 
   Relates to: Group Problem Solving Task, Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Design Project
3. 
   Relates to: Group Problem Solving Task, Examination (written)

2: Engineering Application Ability

1. 
   Relates to: Group Problem Solving Task, Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Design Project
3. 
   Relates to: Group Problem Solving Task, Examination (written)
4. 
   Relates to: Design Project

3: Professional and Personal Attributes

1. 
   Relates to: Design Project
2. 
   Relates to: Design Project

Course Learning Outcomes

EN55 Master of Professional Engineering

1. Apply advanced and specialist knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering design, analysis management and sustainability.
   Relates to: Group Problem Solving Task, Design Project, Examination (written)
2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
   Relates to: Group Problem Solving Task, Design Project, Examination (written)
3. Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non specialist audiences.
   Relates to: Design Project
4. Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering decision making and professional accountability.
   Relates to: Design Project