Explore UCD

UCD Home >

CVEN40760

Academic Year 2026/2027

Case Studies (CVEN40760)

Subject:
Civil Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Civil Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Salam Al-Sabah
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Develop capability to solve conceptual structural design problems. Develop qualitative understanding of load paths and structural response to load. Choose appropriate efficient and cost-effective geotechnical solutions for given outline problems. Students are assigned into groups. Each group is given scheme designs to complete. Groups must present an oral and written design solution for each scheme. Each case study is presented to colleagues and experts from industry and academia in an interruptible forum.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

I. Be able to design a workable structural scheme, with preliminary sizes and areas of reinforcement (in the case of structural concrete) for a range of structures and foundation problems.

II. Be able to communicate the design solutions by means of hand calculations and graphical presentations to your peers and experts from industry.

Indicative Module Content:

Case Studies (along the whole module)
Introduction, structural members and systems
Lateral stability
Construction materials
Preliminary sizing of structural members
Connections of structural members
Loading
Preliminary structural analysis

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Advanced Beginner

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Advanced Beginner

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Advanced Beginner

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Advanced Beginner

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Small Group

75
Seminar (or Webinar)

15
Autonomous Student Learning

150
Total

260

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; Student group discussion and Problem-based Learning; Case Studies where students present and defend their solutions in class.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
CVEN40320 - Case Studies


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (Open Book): Open Book exam. Any notes provided in class and any printed text books, tables or charts are allowed. Such material can be annotated but pages with standalone unprinted notes are not allowed. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
65
 No
Group Work Assignment: Group Case Study reports must be submitted and presented once every week or two. Approximate timing is as indicated below. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 6, Week 7, Week 10, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Student's oral defence of their case studies in class will contribute to our decision on the mark for each submission.

Name Role
Professor Shane Donohue Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 10:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.