Course Topics
- Design based on modern national and European standards. - Global analysis of structures. - Stiffness and strength of elements. - Effect of geometrical and mechanical imperfections on the load-bearing capacity of steel elements. - Resistance of steel members to tension, compression, bending, shear and combined actions. - Buckling resistance of steel members. - Stability of steel shell elements. - Bolted and welded connections and joints. - Design of bolted connections. - Worked examples. - Verification of a sustainable structural system: Wind turbine mast.

Teaching format
Class lectures (blackboard and/or slides). Some of the lecture material (slides) will be available for download by the students.

Educational objectives
The course investigates good practice in the design of steel structures, presenting requirements, standards and methodologies that have to be followed in order to design efficient yet reliable structures. The students attending this course are expected to learn how to design key components in steel structures to be implemented in systems for energy and sustainable applications, including wind energy, hydraulic energy, solar energy and bioenergy and relevant industrial plants.

Additional educational objectives and learning outcomes
Learning outcomes Knowledge and understanding 1. Knowledge of the main static and dynamic mechanical properties of materials and structures, with particular reference to steel, as well as the main technical standards used in steel structural applications. Applying knowledge and understanding 2. Capability of recognizing where steel and steel structures could be profitably used in energy and sustainable systems, such as those related to wind, hydraulic or solar energy, and capability of defining requirements in the design of the steel structures for energy applications. Making judgements 3. The student will be able to assess the validity of the design of an existing steel structure, identify critical aspects and suggest redesign solutions and improvements in both static and dynamic performance. Communication skills 4. The student will be able to discuss the learned knowledge with vocabulary and technical terms of the discipline, describing efficiently the outcome of the design activity and the features of different solutions. Learning skills 5. Lifelong learning capability through the acquisition of critical tools and critical evaluation of product and systems specifications.

Assessment
Oral examination with questions aimed at verifying the knowledge and the capability to understand the topics of the course and the mastery of the technical language. The capability to transfer these competences to applicative cases and the developed autonomy of judgment will be evaluated through the discussion of the design work assigned during the course. - Formative assessment: Development of the assigned design work: during the course; ILOs assessed: (2), (3), (5) - Summative assessment: Oral examination, including discussion of the design work: about 1 hour; ILOs assessed: all, except (5).

Evaluation criteria
A single final vote will take into account knowledge of the topics presented during the course, ability to synthesize information, correctness of the technical terms and clarity (50 %). With reference to the developed design work, the capability to analyze the proposed problem and to design reliable steel components in structures for energy applications will be taken into account (50%).

Required readings

• European technical standard: UNI EN 1993-1-1 
• D. Roylance, Modules in Mechanics of Materials, A web-based collection of educational modules developed under the auspices of the National Science Foundation. MIT course. 
• Davoli et al. "Comportamento meccanico dei materiali", Mc Graw-Hill. 
• Bursi, O.S., Pucinotti, R., Zanon, G., Progettazione di Giunzioni e Strutture Tubolari in Acciaio, Flaccovio, September 2012 | ISBN: 978-88-579-0158-9 
• Simoes da Silva L., Simoes R. e Gervasio H., Design of Steel Structures, 2nd Edition, ECCS, 2016. 

Supplementary readings

• Cocco, D., Palomba, C., Puddu, P., "Tecnologie delle 
• Energie Rinnovabili", SGEditoriali , Padova, 2010.  
• Battisti, L., Gli Impianti Motori Eolici, Editore L. Battisti , Agosto 2012

Further information
Connections with other courses: This course complements the knowledge offered by the other courses of the Master programme. Professional applications of the covered topics: The topics presented in this course can be applied in all those professional activities involving the design and the re-design of building systems, as well as specific elements of energy structural systems, that are typically performed in engineering offices and building companies.