Cable Supported Pedestrian Bridge Design: CVEN 4835/5835

Course Syllabus

Downloadable version: Cable Supported Pedestrian Bridge Design Course Syllabus

Instructor:

Avery Louise Bang

Executive Director, Bridges to Prosperity

e-mail: avery@bridgestoprosperity.org

Course Participants

This course is designed for undergraduate and graduate engineering students who are interested in the planning and design of pedestrian, cable supported bridges in low income communities (LICs). The course promotes the efficient and locally appropriate design and construction of pedestrian bridges, for isolated communities lacking access to essential healthcare, education and economic opportunities.

The course is offered as part of the Mortenson Center in Engineering for Developing Communities (MC-EDC) at CU Boulder.

Course Description

Cable Supported Pedestrian Bridge Design will introduce students to design approaches for construction in developing communities, through a focus on cable-stayed footbridge design. During the first part of the semester, students will learn the technical basics in order to work with the community to select and survey potential bridge sites.  Students will discuss how to select appropriate codes and loadings for international development construction projects, and will cover basic elements of engineering design, culminating in an applied design project.  Topics will include; in-situ soil testing, hydrology modeling, geotechnical design, reinforced concrete, masonry, steel and timber design. Construction scheduling, material quality control, construction safety and maintenance will also be covered.  Students will be required to complete a final project, which will include layout, design and scheduling of a cable-supported pedestrian bridge.

This course is recommended for both students and professionals interested in structural design for construction in rural developing applications. Students will be exposed to a number of design approaches applicable to both pedestrian bridge and other international development projects.

Class hours             Tuesday, 1:45-4:45, ECCS 1B14

Credits                      3 credit hours

Prerequisites          Engineering Statics, Dynamics and Mechanics of Materials

 Website*                   http://bridgestoprosperity.org/resources/course-materials/

*Password provided in class                                                                                                          

Office hours             Arranged per request

Texts                             Suggested texts on the course website (pdf downloads). Readings are also available on-line from the course website.

ASCE’s Field Guide to Environmental Engineering for Development Workers will be heavily referenced and is recommended for purchase.

Grading 

Grading will be based on the following:

40% Homework: each assignment equally weighted.

10% Quizzes:  four (4) unannounced in-class quizzes, equally weighted.

50% Term Project: each component weighted as follows.

10%     Concept Note

10%     Project Design Planning

40%     Project Design Report (60% for individuals)

20%     Project Proposal Presentation

20%     Peer Review (teams only)

Course Objectives

Cable Suspended Pedestrian Bridge Design provides students with the tools necessary to plan, design, and construct a cable footbridge bridge in a developing country.

Out-of-classroom requirements

1. There will be weekly reading assignments the students will be expected to complete prior to class in order to prepare them for the weeks lecture
2. In addition, there will be weekly homework assignments to help reinforce topics covered during lecture. These assignments will be collected at the beginning of each class and represent 40% of the students’ final grade.
3. Student will divide into teams in order to complete a final project. Details regarding projects requirements will be distributed during the semester.

Additional Remarks

The CU-Boulder Honor Code defines academic dishonesty. Violations of this code will result in a lowering of your grade for this class. The CU-Boulder Honor Code is available on line, at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/.

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. (303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices)

Every effort shall be made to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance.

Cable Supported Pedestrian Bridge Design: CVEN 5835/4835

Course Schedule