Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Civil Engineering Master Information
3. Semester
Major Courses
Major in Transport Systems
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
101-0419-00LRailway Construction and MaintenanceW4 credits4GU. A. Weidmann, P. Güldenapfel, M. Kohler, M. J. Manhart, further speakers
AbstractTrack geometry including calculation and measuring as well as related data systems; interaction between track and vehicles, vehicle dynamics, stress; track construction including special features of railway bridges and tunnels; track diagnostics and forcast; track maintenance and related methods
ObjectiveThe lecture gives a deeper insight into track geometry, the interaction between track and vehicles as well as in construction and dimensioning of the track. Methods for the diagnosis of the state of the track and its forcast are shown. State-of-the-art maintenance strategies and technologies are presented.
ContentTrack geometry including calculation and measuring as well as related data systems; interaction between track and vehicles, vehicle dynamics, stress; track construction including special features of railway bridges and tunnels; track diagnostics and forcast; track maintenance and related methods
Lecture notesThe slides will be made available.
LiteratureA list with related technical literature will be handed out.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe lecture Railway Infrastructures (Transportation II) is recommended.
101-0479-00LSafety and Reliability of Railway SystemsW3 credits3GU. A. Weidmann, A. Bomhauer-Beins, O. Fink, M. Montigel
AbstractRailway safety policies and safety concepts, command and control technologies for railways, optimization systems, European Train Control System, reliability availability maintainability safety (RAMS) of railway systems.
ObjectiveThe students comprehend the main principles of safety, reliability and optimization for railway systems and understand the basic concepts of command and control technologies for railways.
ContentRailway safety strategies
o Safety in public transport
o Safety relevant characteristic of railway transport
o Safety requirements for railway transport
o Safety concepts

Command and control technologies for railway systems
o protective functions
o ensure the sequence/spacing of trains
o ensure route protection
o ensure level crossing protection
o technical realization for protective functions
o European Train Control System

operational command/control systems
o dispatching
o operational control systems
o concepts of optimization

RAMS for railway systems
o accident investigation methods
o RAMS standards for railways
o risk analysis and hazard control
o RAMS methods
o design principles for availability and safety
o maintenance strategies
o Life Cycle Costs (LCC)
o Human Factor
o safety in long railway tunnels

tutorials in Railway Operation Laboratory
field trip to Siemens Wallisellen (command and control technologies)
Lecture notesThe slides will be provided in German.
LiteratureReferences will be included in the lecture notes. An additional list of literature will be given during the course.
Prerequisites / Noticesome of the tutorials will be held at the IVTs Railway Operation Laboratory. The lecture Systems Dimensioning and Capacity is recommended.
101-0449-00LManagement, Marketing, Quality
Does not take place this semester.
W6 credits4GU. A. Weidmann
AbstractTransport and administrative policy, international and national regulation, business management of public transport companies, marketing, advertising and pricing; quality management
ObjectiveComprehension of the transport and administrative policy as well as of the regulation of public transport companies. To develop a full understanding of the three important public transport system operations management processes: (1) Business management; (2) Marketing; (3) Quality control. The course will teach essential working techniques in each of these processes.
Content(1) Transport and administrative policy: Goals of the state related to public transports, governmental activities in public transport, regulation. (2) Business management in public transport enterprises: goals of public transport companies, goals of the business management; management of public transport on the different management levels, business organization. (3) Marketing, advertising and pricing: Fundamentals and goals; marketing strategies and concepts in public transports; marketing tools; putting marketing into action. (4) Quality control: Quality in transport systems; goals of quality management; structuring quality control measures; collecting quality data in an operating service; use of quality control systems for service optimization.
Lecture notesCourse notes will be provided in German. Slides will be made available.
LiteratureReferences to technical literature will be included in the course script. An additional list of literature will be given during the course.
Prerequisites / NoticeLectures System and Network Planning as well as Systems Dimensioning and Capacity recommended.
101-0579-00LInfrastructure Maintenance Processes
Does not take place this semester.
101-0579-00L "Infrastructure Maintenance Processes" will be offered from FS17 on with new title 101-0579-00L "Infrastructure Management 2: Evaluation Tools".
W3 credits2GB. T. Adey
AbstractThis course provides an introduction to the tools that can be used to evaluate infrastructure. In particular tools:
- to measure the level of service being obtained from infrastructure,
- to predict slow changes in infrastructure over time, and
- to predict fast changes in infrastructure over time,fits of monitoring.
Objectiveto equip students with tools to be used to evaluate infrastructure and the level of service being provided from infrastructure
ContentIntroduction
Levels of service
Reliability of infrastructure
Availability and maintainability of infrastructure
Mechanistic-empirical models
Regression analysis
Event trees
Fault trees
Markov chains
Neural networks
Bayesian networks
Conclusion
Lecture notesAll necessary materials (e.g. transparencies and hand-outs) will be distributed before class.
LiteratureAppropriate reading material will be assigned when necessary.
101-0509-00LInfrastructure Management 1: ProcessW3 credits2GB. T. Adey
AbstractThe course provides an introduction to the steps included in the infrastructure management process. The lectures are given by a mixture of external people in German and internal people in English.
ObjectiveUpon completion of the course, students will
- understand the steps required to manage infrastructure effectively,
- understand the complexity of these steps, and
- have an overview of the tools that they can use in each of the steps.
Content- The infrastructure management process and guidelines
- Knowing the infrastructure - Dealing with data
- Establishing goals and constraints
- Establishing organization structure and processes
- Making predictions
- Selecting strategies
- Developing programs
- Planning interventions
- Conducting impact analysis
- Reviewing the process
Lecture notesAppropriate reading / and study material will be handed out during the course.
Transparencies will be handed out at the beginning of each class.
LiteratureAppropriate literature will be handed out when required.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe courses will be given half in English and half in German. Students should have a minimum of level B2 in both to register for the course.
103-0417-02LTheory and Methodology of Spatial Planning
Only for master students, otherwise a special permisson by the lecturer is required.
W3 credits2GM. Nollert
AbstractIn order to solve problems in spatial planning it is necessary to explore actions and to judge them; finally, one has to argue why a certain option should be preferred to others. Assessments of the situation are the basis for the problems to treat. Specific knowledge, represented in an adequate manner, is required.
ObjectiveThe participants know the interdependencies between the assessment of a situation, decision making, knowlegde and language. They know the nature of a decision dilemma und maximes, how to deal with it. Especially they learn that the requirement of information for a decision depends upon the preferences of the deciding acteur. They are also familiar with difficulties and pitfalls within these contexts and know what can be done against it.
ContentAssessment of the situation, deciding, language and knowledge are the main parts.
101-0491-00LAgent Based Modeling in TransportationW3 credits2GF. Ciari, M. Balac
AbstractThe main topics of the lecture are:
1) Introduction to the agent-based paradigm and overview on existing agent-based models in transportation, including MATSim
2) Learn how to setup MATSim for policy analysis
3) Learn about the interfaces available to enhances the software (includes Java programming)
4) Create, run and analyse a policy study
ObjectiveThe objective of this course is to make the students familiar with agent-based models and in particular with the software MATSim. They will learn the pros and cons of this type of approach versus traditional transport models and will learn to use the simulation. They will design a policy study and run simulations to evaluate the impacts of the proposed policies.
ContentThe main topics are:
1) Introduction to the agent-based paradigm and overview on existing agent-based models in transportation, including MATSim
2) Introduction of basic building blocks of simulation approaches (random numbers generation, experimental design, variance control, response surface estimation)
3) Revision of the key submodels and their parameters and concepts (value of time, Wardrop (Nash) equilibirum, etc.)
3) Learn how to setup MATSim for policy analysis
4) Learn about the interfaces available to enhances the software (includes Java programming)
5) Create, run and analyse a policy study
LiteratureAgent-based modeling in general
Helbing, D (2012) Social Self-Organization, Understanding Complex Systems, Springer, Berlin.
Heppenstall, A., A. T. Crooks, L. M. See and M. Batty (2012) Agent-Based Models of Geographical Systems, Springer, Dordrecht.

MATSim

Horni, A., K. Nagel and K.W. Axhausen (eds.) (2016) The Multi-Agent Transport Simulation MATSim, Ubiquity, London
(Link)

Additional relevant readings, mostly scientific articles, will be recommended throughout the course.
Prerequisites / NoticeThere are no strict preconditions in terms of which lectures the students should have previously attended. However, it is expected that the students have some experience with some high level programming language (i.e. C, C++, Fortran or Java). If this is not the case, attending the additional java exercises (101-0491-00U) is strongly encouraged.
101-0492-00LSimulation of Traffic OperationsW3 credits2GH. He
AbstractThe course introduces basics of microscopic traffic simulation, including model development, calibration, validation, data analysis, identification of strategies for improving traffic performance, and evaluation of such strategies. The modelling software used is VISSIM.
ObjectiveThe objective of this course is to introduce basic concepts in microscopic traffic simulation and conduct a realistic traffic engineering project from beginning to end. The students will first familiarize themselves with microscopic traffic simulation models. They will then use a simulation for modeling and analyzing the traffic operations. The emphasis is not only on building the simulation model, but also understanding of the models behind and logically evaluating results. The final goal is to make valid and concrete engineering proposals based on the simulation model.
ContentIn this course the students will first learn some microscopic simulation concepts and then complete a traffic engineering project with microscopic traffic simulator VISSIM.

Microscopic simulation concepts will include:
1) Car following models
2) Lane change models

Specific tasks for the project will include:
1) Building a model with the simulator VISSIM in order to replicate and analyze the traffic conditions measured/observed.
2) Calibrating and validating the simulation model.
3) Redesigning/extending the model to improve the traffic performance.
Lecture notesThe lecture notes and additional handouts will be provided before the lectures.
LiteratureAdditional literature recommendations will be provided at the lectures.
Prerequisites / NoticeStudents need to know some basic road transport concepts. The course Road Transport Systems (Verkehr III), or simultaneously taking the course Traffic Engineering is encouraged. The course Transport Simulation (101-0438-00 G) and previous experience with VISSIM is helpful but not mandatory.
Major in Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
101-0249-00LSelected Topics on Hydraulic Engineering
Prerequisites: 101-0247-01L Hydraulic Engineering II or equivalent course.
W3 credits2SR. Boes, I. Albayrak
AbstractThe lecture focuses on selected topics in hydraulic engineering, water management and aquatic ecology relating to hydropower and flood protection projects.
Objectiveto deepen knowledge on special aspects in hydraulic engineering and to understand the procedures and the planning sequence of hydropower projects
ContentDifferent selected topics in hydraulic engineering will be focused on, e.g. dam safety, possible problems at reservoirs like sedimentation or natural hazards by impulse waves, the hydraulics of river flows, spillways and intake structures at dams and weirs, hydropower and ecology like fish-ecological aspects at low-head hydropower plants and eco-hydraulics like flow-vegetation interaction. Another focus will be put on typical approaches and procedures in the planning process of hydropower projects.
Lecture notesLecture notes/handouts will be available online.
Literatureis specified in the lecture.
Prerequisites / NoticeExternal speakers will present current topics and projects in Switzerland and abroad.
101-0289-00LApplied Glaciology Information W3 credits2GM. Funk, A. Bauder, D. Farinotti
AbstractWe will explain the fundamentals of physics of glaciers which are necessary for treating applied problems. We will go into climate-glacier interactions, flow of glaciers, lake ice and hydrology of glaciers.
ObjectiveTo understand the fundamental physical processes in glaciology.
To learn some basic numerical modelling techniques for glacier flow.
To identify glaciological hazards and to learn some assessment and mitigation possibilities.
ContentBasics in physical glaciology
Dynamics of glaciers: deformation of glacier ice, role of water in glacier motion, reaction of glaciers to climate changes, glacier calving, surges
Ice falls, ice avalanches
Glacier floods
Lake ice and bearing capacity
Lecture notesHandouts are available
LiteratureRelevante Literatur wird während der Vorlesung angegeben.
Prerequisites / NoticeFür aktuelle Fallbeispiele werden risikobasierte Massnahmen bei glaziologischen Naturgefahren diskutiert.

Voraussetzungen: Es werden Grundkenntnisse in Mechanik und Physik vorausgesetzt.
101-1249-00LHydraulics of Engineering Structures
Former Title until HS15: Wastewater Hydraulics.
W3 credits2GH. Fuchs, I. Albayrak, L. Schmocker
AbstractHydraulic fundamentals are applied to hydraulic structures for wastewater, flood protection and hydropower. Typical case studies from engineering practice are further described.
ObjectiveUnderstanding and quantification of fundamental hydraulic processes with particular focus on hydraulic structures for wastewater, flood protection and hydropower
Content1. Introduction & Basic equations
2. Losses in flow & Maximum discharge
3. Uniform flow & Critical flow
4. Hydraulic jump & Stilling basins
5. Backwater curves
6. Weirs/End overfalls & Venturi
7. Mobile discharge measurements & Culverts/restrictors/inverted siphons
8. Fall manholes & Vortex drop
9. Conjunctions & Shock waves at abrupt wall deflections
10. Air/water flows and bottom outlets
11. Driftwood retention racks
12. Vegetated flows - Introduction
13. Vegetated flows - Application
14. Summary & questions/preparations for examination
Lecture notesText books

Hager, W.H. (2010). Wastewater hydraulics. Springer: New York.
LiteratureExhaustive references are contained in the suggested text book.
102-0215-00LUrban Water Management II Information W3 credits2GM. Maurer, P. Staufer
AbstractTechnical networks in urban water engineering. Water supply: Optimization, water hammer, corrosion and hygiene. Urban drainage: Urban hydrology, non stationary flow, pollutant transport, infiltration of rainwater, wet weather pollution control. General planning, organisation and operation of regional drainage systems.
ObjectiveConsolidation of the basic procedures for design and operation of technical networks in water engineering.
ContentDemand Side Management versus Supply Side Management
Optimierung von Wasserverteilnetzen
Druckstösse
Kalkausfällung, Korrosion von Leitungen
Hygiene in Verteilsystemen
Siedlungshydrologie: Niederschlag, Abflussbildung
Instationäre Strömungen in Kanalisationen
Stofftransport in der Kanalisation
Einleitbedingungen bei Regenwetter
Versickerung von Regenwasser
Generelle Entwässerungsplanung (GEP)
Lecture notesWritten material and copies of the overheads will be available.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisite: Introduction to Urban Water Management
Major in Materials and Mechanics
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
101-0619-00LMechanics of Building Materials Information W3 credits2GF. Wittel
AbstractMaterial models comprise our knowledge on the physical behavior of materials. Based on a short introduction to solid mechanics, 3D material laws for elastic, visco-elastic behavior, plasticity and damage mechanics are discussed. We focus on material laws for concrete, metals, wood and other composites, how to obtain parameters from mechanical tests and their application in FEM calculations.
ObjectiveThis introductory course aims to bridge the gap between phenomenological, qualitative comprehension of processes in building materials, their characterization in mechanical testing and the ability to apply those for practical design purposes via constitutive models.

Upon completion of the course you should be able to:

- classify different material behavior (e.g. linear/non-linear elastic, elasto-plastic, creep) with respect to types of constitutive material models (total /incremental strain models, damage / plasticity models, linear visco-elasticity),

- review how incremental strain models (e.g. elasto-plastic) are algorithmically implemented in Finite Element software (UMat of Abaqus),

- formulate the main approach and assumptions to the most import models for building materials and discuss their limitations,

- propose experimental campaigns for obtaining relevant material parameters for non-linear material models.
Content- Introduction to constitutive models for materials
- Fundaments of mechanics of materials
- Cauchy-, hyper- and hypoelastic material descriptions
- Constitutive Models for Concrete (non-linear elastic)
- Introduction to metall and concrete plasticity
- Introduction to ABAQUS UMAT Programming
- Damage continuum mechanics
- Linear visco-elastic materials
Lecture notesWill be provided during the lecture.
101-0639-01LScience and Engineering of Glass and Natural Stone in Construction Information
Does not take place this semester.
W3 credits2GF. Wittel, T. Wangler
AbstractThe course offers an overview of relevant practical issues and present technological challenges for glass and natural stones in constructions. Students gain a good knowledge of the basics of glasses and natural stones, their potential as engineering materials and learn to apply them in the design of civil engineering constructions and to evaluate concepts.
ObjectiveGlass is increasingly used in constructions to ease the construction process, as functional insulation barrier, even for structural applications of impressive size. While everyone has experienced the innovation potential of glass in the last decade, products from natural stone suffer from an unjustified traditional image that often originates from a lack of understanding of the material and its combination with other materials. Culturally important structures often are made from natural stone and their conservation demands an understanding of their deterioration mechanisms, the concepts of which can be applied to other civil engineering materials. Designers and engineers need the knowledge to reconcile materials and system behavior with the entire processing, handling, integration and life time in mind.
In this module students are provided with a broad fundamental as well as practice-oriented education on glass and natural stone in civil engineering applications. Present and future construction and building concepts demand for such materials with optimized properties. Based on the fundamentals from the Bachelor course in materials by the end of this module, you should be able to:

-recognize and choose specific applications from the broad overview you were provided with,

-relate processing technologies to typical products and building applications and recognize (and explain typical damage related to wrong material choice or application,

-explain the nature of glassy and crystalline materials and interpret their physical behavior against this background,

-explain the major deterioration mechanisms in natural stone and how this relates to durability,

-analyze material combinations and appraise their application in future products as well as integration in existing constructions,

- summarize with appropriate guidance publications on a related topic in an oral presentation and short report.
ContentLecture 1: An introduction to science and engineering of glass and natural stone in construction (FW/TW)

Lecture 2: Glass chemistry including historical development of glass composition, use of raw materials, melts, chemical stability and corrosion. (FW)

Lecture 3: Geology and mineralogy of stones used in construction. Formation processes, chemistry, crystal structure. (TW)

Lecture 4: Microscopic models for glassy materials. Physics of glass transition. From microscopic physical models to thermodynamics, rheology and mechanics of glassy materials. (FW)

Lecture 5: Stone properties and behavior: microstructure, density, porosity, mechanical properties (TW)

Lecture 6: Glass physics: Optical properties (transmission, reflection, emission, refraction, polarization and birefringence, testing methods); Mechanical properties (density, thermal, mechanical, electric properties, glass testing) (FW)

Lecture 7: Stone properties and durability: transport, moisture and thermal cycling (TW)

Lecture 8: Forming and processing of glass: (plate and molded glass, drawing, slumping, profiling etc.; Processing: Cutting, mechanical processing, tempering, gluing, bending, laminating of glass Surface treatments: coating, sputtering, enameling, printing, etching, chemical pre-stressing.) (FW)

Lecture 9: Durability: Salt crystallization, freezing, biodeterioration (TW)

Lecture 10: Glass products for civil engineering applications: (Molded glasses, fiber glass, foam glass, plate glass); construction glass (insulation glass, structural glass, protective glass, intelligent glass, codes); (FW)

Lecture 11: Conservation: Consolidation, cleaning, and other treatments (TW). Practical aspects (guest lecturer)

Lecture 12: Glass in constructions. (modelling, application and regulation, typical damage in glass) (FW)

Lecture 13: Student presentations; exam questions (FW/TW)
Lecture notesWill be handed out in the lectures
LiteratureWerkstoffe II script (download via the IFB homepage). Rest will be handed out in the lectures
Prerequisites / NoticeWerkstoffe I/II of the bachelor studies or equivalent introductory materials lecture.
101-0659-01LDurability and Maintenance of Reinforced ConcreteW3 credits2VB. Elsener, U. Angst
AbstractThe course focuses on durability of RC structures, in particular the corrosion of steel in concrete. The main emphasis lies on understanding the mechanisms, design and execution aspects related to durability of new and existing structures. New methods and materials for preventative measures, condition assessment and repair techniques are treated with lectures and practice related exercises.
ObjectiveUnderstand the mechanism of deterioration of RC structures, in particular reinforcement corrosion.
Know the relevant parameters affecting durability of reinforced concrete, in particular cover depth, concrete quality, moisture, and the ways to control durability
Understand the current approaches for design for durability (exposure classes, prescriptive) and be aware of their limitations
Know the future performance-based models for durability design and the difficulties in defining input parameters (such as critical chloride content).
Know and understand different ways to improve durability of RC structures (e.g. stainless steel reinforcement)
Know the particular problems with post-tensioned structures and ways to overcome them (electrically isolated tendons).
Know and understand the non-destructive methods for inspection and condition assessment (especially half-cell potential mapping) and be aware of the limitations
Know and understand repair methods such as conventional repair, electrochemical methods (in particular cathodic protection)
Be aware of differences in performance of the new blended cements (especially CEM II with limestone) respect to the traditional Portland cement and the possible future problems for durability.
ContentReinforced concrete combines the good compressive strength of concrete with the high tensile strength of steel and has proven to be successful in terms of structural performance and durability. However, there are instances of premature failure of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete components due to corrosion of the reinforcing steel with very high economic implications of such damage. This course focuses on the chloride and carbonation induced corrosion of steel in concrete, presenting transport mechanisms and electrochemical concepts. The main emphasis lies on design and execution aspects related to durability of new and existing structures. New methods and materials for preventative measures, condition assessment and repair techniques are discussed. The course is a point of reference for engineers and materials scientists involved in research and practice of corrosion protection, rehabilitation and maintenance of reinforced concrete structures and components.

Content of the course in detail:

Lecture 1
Administrative issues, literature, what do students expect to learn? Introduction (economic relevance of durability, transition from building to maintenance). Fundamentals of corrosion and durability / Passivity and pitting corrosion

Lecture 2
Reinforced concrete / Corrosion protection / Degradation mechanism corrosion (chlorides/carbonation) / electrochemical mechanism / controlling parameters / cracks and spalling on surface, danger of localized corrosion

Lecture 3
Other degradation mechanisms: sulphate attack, ASR, frost attack
Various examples, frequency of occurrence of individual deterioration mechanisms

Lecture 4
Service life: initiation stage & propagation stage. Durability design: prescriptive approach, constructive detailing, importance of moisture for almost all degradation mechanisms. Performance based approach, simple diffusion approach for chloride ingress, Critical chloride content (influencing parameters)

Lecture 5
Stainless steel as reinforcing steel for concrete / different types of stainless steels / mechanical properties / corrosion resistance, passivity / coupling with black reinforcing steel / examples of application / life-cycle-costs

Lecture 6
Inspection and condition assessment I: visual inspection / destructive testing (chloride profiles, carbonation depth, thin section analysis, etc.)

Lectures 7
Inspection and condition assessment II: non-destructive testing (potential mapping, cover depth measurement, resistivity measurement). Potential mapping: measurement principle / effect of carbonated cover zone / effect of moisture / examples

Lecture 8
Post-tensioned structures / problem with existing structures: no NDT method / approach for protection (multiple barrier) / new systems with polymer ducts / electrically isolated tendons / fib guidelines / Swiss guideline / Monitoring techniques / Applications

Lecture 9
Repair methods I: conventional repair / coatings / inhibitors / limitations

Lecture 10
Repair methods II: electrochemical repair methods (ECR, ER, CP) / principles / electrochemical chloride removal (theory and examples) / electrochemical realkalization (theory and examples) / when can these methods be applied ? / cost aspects

Lecture 11
Repair methods III: cathodic protection (theory, technical solutions, anode systems, etc and examples). Monitoring of CP.

Lecture 12
New cements, issue of CO2 reduction. Effects of fly ash, slag, limestone on workability, diffusion coefficient, resistivity, pH (including a discussion of the pozzolanic reaction and it's consequences with respect to pH buffering Portlandite reserve). Discuss products on the Swiss market.

Lecture 13
Summary of most important points of this course given by the students. Open discussion about durability design, use of new cements, new materials and repair methods. Expected consequences for practice ? Course evaluation and time for asking questions.
Lecture notesThe course is based on the book
Corrosion of steel in concrete - prevention diagnosis repair (WILEY 2013) by L. Bertolini, B. Elsener, P. Pedeferri and R. Polder)
Slides of the lectures will be distributed in advance
Special hand outs and reprints for particular topics will be distributed
LiteratureA first overview can be found in: B. Elsener, Corrosion of Steel in Concrete, in "Corrosion and Environmental Degradation", ed. M. Schütze, WILEY VCH (2000) Vol.2 pp. 391 - 431

Backbone of the course: Corrosion of Steel in Concrete - Prevention diagnosis repair, L. Bertolini, B. Elsener, P. Pedeferri, R. Polder, WILEY VCH 2nd edition (2013)
Prerequisites / NoticeStudents are encouraged to actively participate during the lectures. Students are expected to work on all the exercises (four). For one exercise a detailed written solution of the exercise has to be delivered (after the discussion).

Students should have passed the exams on Werkstoffe I and II.
101-0669-00LBituminous MaterialsW3 credits2GM. Partl
AbstractIntroduction into special aspects of the mechanical and chemo-physical properties as well as the structure and application of bituminous materials for road and waterproofing application considering also new R&D trends
ObjectiveIntroduction into special aspects of the mechanical and chemo-physikal properties as well as the structure and application of bituminous materials for road and waterproofing application considering also new R&D trends
ContentBasics of mechanical behavior: Viscosity, rheological models, viscoelasticity, time-temperature superposition, fatigue, viscoplasticity.
Bituminous binders: Tar-related issues, bitumen, natural asphalt, polymer modified bitumen, technological tests, mechanical-physical properties, binder classification, bitumen emulsions, foam bitumen.
Asphalt pavements: material structure and concepts, production, mixture testing and characterization, mixture types, recycling
Waterproofing membranes: tack- coats, structure of polymer modified waterproofing membranes, production, typical tests, system-related properties, conastruction and application
Lecture notesScript, handed out during lecture
Prerequisites / NoticeThe lecture comprises two written exercises and one literature exercise with short presentation that are requested to be done.
101-0689-00LShrinkage and Cracking of Concrete: Mechanisms and Impact on DurabilityW3 credits2VP. Lura
AbstractConcrete is generally viewed as a durable construction material. However, the long-term performance of a concrete structure can be greatly compromised by early-age cracking. This course will explain how shrinkage of concrete leads to cracking and how control of shrinkage allows increasing the expected durability of a concrete structure.
ObjectiveThis course will begin with a brief introduction about hydration and microstructure development in cement paste and concrete. The students will learn the main causes of cracking at early ages, namely plastic, drying, thermal and autogenous shrinkage, with special emphasis on the driving mechanisms. The importance of concrete curing, especially in the first few days after casting, will be explained. Building on the knowledge of the driving forces of shrinkage, the way of action of shrinkage-reducing admixtures will be clarified and different applications illustrated. As an extension of external curing, the students will become familiar with internal water curing by means of saturated lightweight aggregate and superabsorbent polymer.
Most concrete members are restrained by adjacent structures. When shrinkage is restrained, cracks may develop. The students will learn how to apply different criteria for assessing concrete cracking and how to retrieve the mechanical properties of the concrete, especially stiffness and creep, relevant for the calculations.
In addition to macroscopic cracks, microcracking may occur in the cement paste due to inner restraint offered by the aggregates. Both macroscopic cracks and diffuse microcracking within a concrete may facilitate the ingress of harmful substances (e.g. chloride and sulfate ions) into the concrete; these may react with the concrete or with the reinforcement and create further deterioration. The students will acquire an understanding of the mechanisms of transport through cracked concrete, with special focus on experimental evidence and on techniques able to visualize the transport process and follow it in time.
As a final outcome of the course, the students will be able to estimate the impact of cracking on the expected durability of concrete structures and to implement different types of measures to reduce the extent of cracking.
ContentConcrete is generally viewed as a long-lasting construction material. However, the durability of a concrete structure can be jeopardized by shrinkage-induced cracking. In addition to being unsightly, cracks have the potential to act as weak planes for further distress or as conduits for accelerated ingress of aggressive agents that may reduce durability.
Advances in concrete technology over the past decades have led to the practical use of concrete with a low water to binder ratio and with different types of mineral and organic admixtures. Another recent development is self-compacting concrete, which avoids concrete vibration and reduces labor during placing. Unfortunately, these concretes are especially prone to cracking at an early age, unless special precautions are taken. Proper curing becomes in this case the key to achieve better performance in various environmental and load conditions.
Specific topics covered by the course:
- Hydration and microstructure development
- Plastic shrinkage
- Development of mechanical properties
- Thermal deformation
- Autogenous deformation
- Drying shrinkage
- Curing
- Shrinkage-reducing admixtures
- Internal curing: saturated lightweight aggregate and superabsorbent polymer
- Fracture and microcracking
- Transport in cracked concrete
- Impact of cracking on concrete durability
Lecture notesFor each lecture, lecture notes will be provided. In addition, one or two research papers for each lecture will be indicated as supportive information.
The students will be also provided with a DVD containing the teaching material of a previous course on the same topic, including 16 hours of filmed lectures.
LiteratureCopies of one to two research papers relevant to the topic of each lecture will be provided to the students as supportive information.
Prerequisites / NoticeA basic knowledge of concrete technology is preferable.
151-0353-00LMechanics of Composite Materials Information W4 credits2V + 1UG. Kress
AbstractThe course Mechanics of Composite Materials is dedicated to modeling problems following from the complex mechanical behavior of these anisotropic material structures. and modeling of continuous fibre reinforced composites. Participants will be able to design parts for the mechanical, automotive and aerospace industry.
ObjectiveUnderstanding of the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced composites with regard to analysis and design of lightweight structures for mechanical, transportation and aerospace applications.
Content1. Introduction and Elastic Anisotropy
2. Laminate Theory
3. Thick-Walled Laminates and Interlaminar Stresses
4. Edge Effects at Multidirectional Laminates
5. Micromechanics
6. Failure Hypotheses and Damage Predictction
7. Fatigue Response
8. Joining and Bonding Techniques
9. Sandwich Designs
Lecture notesManuscript and handouts in printed form and as PDF-files:
Link
LiteratureThe lecture material is covered by the script and further literature is referenced in there.
151-0833-00LPrinciples of Nonlinear Finite-Element-Methods Information W5 credits2V + 2UN. Manopulo, B. Berisha, P. Hora
AbstractMost problems in engineering are of nonlinear nature. The nonlinearities are caused basically due to the nonlinear material behavior, contact conditions and instability of structures. The principles of the nonlinear Finite-Element-Method (FEM) will be introduced in the scope of this lecture for treating such problems.
ObjectiveThe goal of the lecture is to provide the students with the fundamentals of the non linear Finite Element Method (FEM). The lecture focuses on the principles of the nonlinear Finite-Element-Method based on explicit and implicit formulations. Typical applications of the nonlinear Finite-Element-Methods are simulations of:

- Crash
- Collapse of structures
- Materials in Biomechanics (soft materials)
- General forming processes

Special attention will be paid to the modeling of the nonlinear material behavior, thermo-mechanical processes and processes with large plastic deformations. The ability to independently create a virtual model which describes the complex non linear systems will be acquired through accompanying exercises. These will include the Matlab programming of important model components such as constitutive equations
Content- Fundamentals of continuum mechanics to characterize large plastic deformations
- Elasto-plastic material models
- Updated-Lagrange (UL), Euler and combined Euler-Lagrange (ALE) approaches
- FEM implementation of constitutive equations
- Element formulations
- Implicit and explicit FEM methods
- FEM formulations of coupled thermo-mechanical problems
- Modeling of tool contact and the influence of friction
- Solvers and convergence
- Modeling of crack propagation
- Introduction of advanced FE-Methods
Lecture notesyes
LiteratureBathe, K. J., Finite-Element-Procedures, Prentice-Hall, 1996
Prerequisites / NoticeIf we will have a large number of students, two dates for the exercises will be offered.
101-0637-10LStructures of Wood and Function Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 15.

Remark: Replaces 701-1801-00L
Thus, Students having already assigned to 701-1801-00 are not allowed to assign to 101-0637-10.
W3 credits2GI. Burgert, E. R. Zürcher
AbstractThe lecture Wood structure and function conveys basic knowledge on the microstructure of softwoods and hardwoods as well as general and species-specific relationships between growth processes, wood properties and wood function in the living tree.
ObjectiveLearning target is a basic understanding of the anatomy of wood and the related impact of endogenous and exogenous factors. The students can learn how to distinguish common central European wood species at the macroscopic and microscopic level. A deeper insight will be given by wood identification exercises for softwood species. Further the students will gain insight into the relationships between tree growth and wood properties with a specific focus on the wood function in the living tree.
ContentIn an introduction to wood anatomy, the general structural features of softwoods and hardwoods will be explained and factors of diversity and variability will be discussed. A specific focus is laid on common central European tree species with relevance in the wood sector, which will be studied in macro-and microstructural investigations. For softwoods, exercises for the identification of species will be conducted. In the following, relationships between wood structure, properties and function in the living tree will be in the focus of the lecture. Topics covered are mechanical stability and water transport, branches, reaction wood formation (compression wood, tension wood), spiral growth, growth stresses as well as adaptive growth of trees.
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