CE5510 Advanced Structural Concrete Design

Session 2015/2016, Semester I

Term Paper
Choose one of the following topics and submit a 20- to 30-page report as part of the
course requirements. You may work individually or in twos. Remember to write your
name(s) and matriculation number(s) on the front cover of your report.
(1) Discuss the application of the method of strain compatibility and force
equilibrium for the design of: (a) steel fibre reinforced concrete flexural
members; or (b) concrete flexural members reinforced with fibre-reinforced
polymer (FRP) reinforcement. Highlight the differences with normal steel
reinforced concrete members, and illustrate with a worked example.
(2) Explain how you would evaluate: (a) the shear capacity; or (b) crack widths in
reinforced circular concrete sections. Illustrate with a worked example.
(3) Discuss the methods for calculating the deflection of two-way slabs and
illustrate with an example.
(4) Consider any one structural concrete member, preferably one that you have
designed in practice (e.g., transfer girder, stepped beam, pile cap). Design the
member using the strut-and-tie method and compare the results with those that
you had obtained by other means such as conventional bending theory,
empirical methods or computer software.
(5) Explain and illustrate with an example, the use of post-tensioning in: (a) flat slab
systems; or (b) water tanks.
(6) Explore the use and limitations of high-strength concrete in columns and
illustrate with a design example. Compare the results with the design using
normal strength concrete.
(7) Any other topic related to the module that you like to propose. The topic has to
be approved.

Do not copy directly from available literature.

Grading will be based on:
(A) Originality & Difficulty Level
(B) Approach to the Problem & Coverage
(C) Organization & Presentation
Deadline for submission:

16 November 2015 (Monday), 6:00 pm

Marks would be deducted for late submissions.
Set by Professor Tan Kiang Hwee