847401 VO Design of Structures

After the successful participation in the VU Design of Structures, the students are able to understand structures as an integral aspect of architecture. Students are able to use the basic terminology for structures, to identify and analyze load-bearing structures as such and to understand their integration into the building. The students are able to understand the basics of structural analysis, use them to represent simple structures in mechanical models and to analyze them using basic mechanical laws. They understand the basics of stability and the principles of bracing.

The students are able to apply simple calculation approaches for structures under forces, even under time pressure. They have knowledge about feasible dimension ranges and are able to pre-dimension and design essential structural elements. The students are able to identify and describe load-bearing structures as part of architectural design and apply or transfer them in terms of simple concepts. They can independently derive and analyze structural principles and criteria and evaluate these in an architectural-design context.

The objective of the VO Design of Structures is to give students a first insight into the design, functioning and calculation of structures with an emphasize on geometry as the mediator between the technical and the architectural design.