Teaching Reinforced Concrete (RC) Design, Theoretical & Practical Approach

Abstract 2024 ASEE-PSW conference in Las Vegas Teaching Reinforced Concrete (RC) Design, Theoretical & Practical Approach By Marwan N. Youssef, Ph.D., P.E. Professor of Practice - Beavers Endowed Chair Civil Engineering & Construction Engineering Management California State University - Long Beach Abstract: No matter which branch of Civil Engineering someone majors in, RC Design class should be a required course to take. All practicing Civil Engineers will deal with concrete as a material, one way or another, during their careers. Teaching such a class at the undergraduate level shall be carefully planned and implemented. Most RC textbooks focus on RC "Element" design, i.e. beam, column, slab, walls, etc. Hardly any discussion of practical RC building systems design is mentioned. To address a system approach of teaching RC Design materials, a class project can be implemented as part of the course. Students can work in groups of 3-5 students to accomplish that. Such an assignment, with the professor leading the way, students will learn how to incorporate the design of structural elements into a practical structural system, such as a multistory building. Students will learn, enjoy, and really appreciate a practical challenge applying what is covered in RC Design class. As far as covering the RC course materials, all equations encountered should be derived for the students. This covers the theoretical approach and explains the limitations in deriving solutions and using concrete as a building material. This paper will address the preliminary design of a 3-story RC Building that could be incorporated into teaching the course. With the incorporation of shear walls into the building, students will even earn some confidence in encroaching into the seismic design of RC buildings. Although causing an increase in their workload, students usually show large enjoyment and satisfaction at the end of the class that includes a building project. In fact some of the group's submittals looked very professional, similar to actual projects done in professional offices.