MASTER IN CIVIL ENGINEERING - Faculdade de Engenharia da ...

MASTER IN 

CIVIL ENGINEERING 

The Master in Civil Engineering at FEUP 

provides a solid education, with a rich basic 

science background that emphasizes the 

interaction between theory and practice 

within the main Civil Engineering domains. 

The MSc programme in Civil Engineering has 

a broadband curriculum fully aware of 

scientific and technological innovation and 

seeking a balance between the built 

environment and the natural world. A more 

focused training is provided in the final 

year of the course, in order to equip 

students in more specific and applied 

knowledge and skills. 

Profiting from the experience and 

tradition of a school founded in 1837, 

students can enjoy a modern campus, 

recently built a nd e quipped with 

excellent laboratories and superb library 

facilities. 

Civil Engineers with an MSc degree from 

FEUP are able to deal professionally 

with a wide range of complex subjects 

and are prepared for playing a leading 

role in public and private organisations. 

Application 

Students seeking information on how 

to apply for a mobility programme 

a t F E U P s h o u l d c o n t a c t t h e 

Cooperation Division of FEUP. 

Detailed information is available at: 

http://paginas.fe.up.pt/~sicc/ 

dcoop/cii/InfoForeignStudents.htm 

Important Dates 

1 st Semester 

Classes: 10 th Sep. 2012— 14 th Dec. 2012 

Exams: 2 nd Jan. 2013— 8 th Feb. 2013 

2 nd Semester 

Classes: 13 th Feb. 2013— 5 th Jun. 2013 

Exams: 6 th Jun. 2013— 17 th Jul. 2013 

Department of 

Civil Engineering 

Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto 

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, S/N 

4200-465 PORTO - PORTUGAL 

Tel: (+351) 22 508 1901 

Fax: (+351) 22 508 1446 

email: miec@fe.up.pt 

Website: www.fe.up.pt/si_uk 

Department of 

Civil Engineering 

MASTER IN 

CIVIL 

ENGINEERING 

Guide for 

English Speaking 

Mobility Students 

2012/2013

MOBILITY STUDENTS 

International students looking for a mobility 

destination will find that our Master in Civil 

Engineering offers ideal conditions for an 

unforgettable lifetime experience. With an 

attractive selection of 24 Course Units with 

classes in English, highly qualified teaching 

staff, experienced administrative personnel 

a n d w e l l e q u i p p e d c l a s s r o o m s a n d 

laboratories, the Master in Civil Engineering 

offers an education of excellence for 

mobility students. 

Herein are listed the course units with 

lectures and tutorial classes selected for 

mobility students without proficiency in 

Portuguese. 

Mobility students are also offered the 

possibility to complete their study with 

an MSc thesis supervised by a member of 

the teaching staff. 

MASTER IN CIVIL ENGINEERING 

2012/2013 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE UNITS 

1 st SEMESTER ECTS 

Structural Analysis I 7.0 

Soil Mechanics I 7.0 

Roads I 5.5 

Structural Concrete I 8.0 

Environmental and Urban Hydraulics 6.5 

Construction Monitoring and Observation 5.0 

Construction with New Materials 5.0 

Steel and Composite Structures 5.0 

Earth Retaining Structures 5.0 

Underground Works 5.0 

Quality in Construction 5.0 

Planning and Environmental Quality 5.0 

Transport Systems 5.0 

Railways 5.0 

Maritime Works 1 5.0 

Maritime Works 2 5.0 

2 nd SEMESTER ECTS 

Structural Analysis II 7.0 

Soil Mechanics II 6.0 

Roads II 6.5 

Structural Concrete II 8.0 

Hydrology and Water Resources 6.5 

Technology of Construction 5.5 

Urban Environment and Transport Planning 5.0 

MSc Thesis 30.0 

THE CITY 

Classified as UNESCO World Heritage, Porto is 

the second city of the country and home to the 

largest Portuguese university. Besides its 

welcoming and historical environment, Porto is 

also contemporary and artistic. This is shown 

no t o n l y i n t h e s t r e et s , a r c hitectur e , 

monuments and museums but also in the 

terraces, restaurants and leisure and shopping 

areas. 

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION 

The Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport 

offers regular and low-cost connections to all 

countries in Europe and to major airports 

worldwide. 

Our administrative personnel will help incoming 

students to find accommodation for their stay in 

Porto. University’s guesthouses and widespread 

availability of private rooms keep living costs 

within every student’s reach.

Master in Civil Engineering 

List of Unit Courses 

For 

English Speaking Students 

Master in Civil Enginerring Page 1

FIRST SEMESTER 


Structural Analysis I 

Credits Contact Time Total Time 

7 ECTS 75 188 

Objectives, Skills and Learning Outcomes 

To study the principles of behavior of reticulate structures and development of force 

and displacement method to calculate it. 

To expand the knowledge of hyperstatical structures behavior in linear regime. 

Program 

Chapter 1 – Introduction 

Objectives of Structural Analysis. 

The structural problem. 

Presentation and discussion of structural solutions. 

General hypothesis of the structure analysis. 

Structural types. 

External demands/ solicitations. 

Displacements, distortions and tensions. 

Relations between tensions deformations. 

Equilibrium relations. 

Superposition-of-effects principle 

General aspects of the strength method. 

Chapter 2 – Displacement calculation 

Theorem of virtual work 

Calculation of the distortion internal work 

Displacements calculation using the theorem of virtual work 

Example of the displacement calculation using the theorem of virtual work 

“Bonfim Barreiros Method” 

Chapter 3 – Force method 

Structural hiperestaticity degree. Internal and external hiperestaticity. 

Presentation and systematization of the force method. 

Final efforts in hyperstatic structures. 

Calculation of displacements in hyperstatic structures using the theorem of virtual 

work. 

Structures subject to the settlement of support and elastic support. 

Relative importance of the bending part due to transversal moments and efforts. 

Effect of temperature variations in structures. 

Uniform and differential variations. 

Evaluation of the hyperestaticity by direct inspection and a number of equilibrium 

equations. 

Mixed structures. 


Symmetrical structures with symmetrical and anti-symmetrical action. Symmetrical 

structures with any charge. Decomposition of a charge in a symmetrical and antisymmetrical 

part. 

Chapter 4 – Energy Theorems 

Introduction to Energy Theorems 

Distortion energy and virtual work. 

Distortion energy due to a charge system. Deduction of the theorem of virtual work. 

Deduction of the theorem of Betti. Maxwell’s reciprocal theorem (1st and 2nd 

consequences of the theorem of Betti). 

Deduction of the theorem of Castigliano and its inverse. Physical interpretation of the 

theorem and its application to the structure analysis. 

Third consequence of the Theorem of Betti. Determination of displacements in 

hiperestatical structures using the theorem of Castigliano. 

Chapter 5 – Influence lines 

Notion of influence line. 

Determination of influence lines of reactions of support in isostatic structures. 

Determination of influence lines of transversal efforts and bending moments in 

isostatic structures. 

Determination of efforts in structures by influence lines 

Influence lines in hyperstatic structures. 

Chapter 6 – Displacement Method 

The displacement method as strength method’s dual method. Illustration by a simple 

example. 

Direct formulation of the displacement method in the structure analysis. 

Obtaining of configurations correspondent to null and unit displacement. Obtaining of 

an equation system. Determination of the final efforts. 

Notion of stiffness matrix of a beam 

Discussion of the minimum number of unknowns to consider in the base system set 

up. 

Application of the displacement method in the case of structures with beams with 

despicable axial deformability. Use of the principal of virtual work to determine the 

fixation forces in structures with beams with despicable axial deformation 

Determination of the mobility degree of a structure with beams with despicable axial 

deformation 


Soil Mechanics I 


7 ECTS 75 188 


Introduction to the concepts, principles and fundamental theories describing and 

explaining both the mechanical behaviour (in terms of resistance and deformability) 

and the hydraulic behaviour of soil masses. 

Program 

Physical properties of soils. Particle size distribution. Clay minerals. Atterberg limits. 

Basic features of sedimentary granular soils (sands) and cohesive soils (clays). Residual 

soils from granite. Soil classification. 

Effective stress principle. At rest stress state. Elastic solutions for stresses induced in 

the ground by external loads. 

Darcy's law. Coefficient of permeability. Lab and in situ tests to evaluate soil 

permeability. Two-dimensional flow nets. Seepage force. Quick condition and critical 

hydraulic gradient. Piping and heaving. Filters. Capilarity. 

Confined compression of clayey layers. Oedometer test. Parameters defining soil 

compressibility. Normally consolidated and overconsolidated soils. Estimation of the 

consolidation settlement. Terzaghi theory for vertical consolidation. Secondary 

consolidation. Compression of unconfined clay layers. Methods of acceleration of the 

consolidation rate. Observation of embankments on soft ground. 

Mohr-Coulomb and Tresca yield criteria. Direct shear, triaxial and simple shear tests. 

Shear strength of sands. Liquefaction. Shear strength of clays. Drained and undrained 

loading. Effective stress shear strength parameters. Pore pressure parameters. 

Undrained shear strength of clays and its dependence on the effective at-rest stress 

and on the stress path. Inherent and induced anisotropy of the undrained shear 

strength of clays. 


Roads I 


5,5 ECTS 60 145 


This course will focus on road design of only one roadway. 

This course will cover a vast range of subjects, so that students are able to design a 

municipal road, even if they are not specialized on that subject. 

At the end of the semester, students should: 

1- be capable of understanding and developing applications 

2- be capable of applying their knowledge to solve problems and new situations in 

various contexts. 

3- be capable of incorporating knowledge, dealing with complex situations with lack of 

information. They should also take into account their ethic and social responsibilities. 

4- be capable of communicating their conclusions unambiguously. 

Program 

Relation between vehicles and roads characteristics 

General equation of motion 

Adherence 

Skidding on curves 

Geometry- stages of road design; conditioning; Field and office work concerning road 

design; polygonal 

Longitudinal and cross sections 


Structural Concrete I 


8 ECTS 75 214 


This course aims to: 

- expose the principles, theories and models for the analysis and dimensioning of 

structural concrete elements. 

- provide a full comprehension of the structural behaviour of elements made of 

reinforced and prestressed concrete. 

- discuss and to apply the rules from the concrete norms, regulations and codes. 

- introduce the students in the design of reinforced and prestressed concrete 

structures. 

Learning Outcomes (CDIO): 

Knowledge of underlying sciences 

Core engineering fundamental knowledge (Sciences of Engineering) 

Advanced engineering fundamental knowledge (applications) 

Engineering reasoning and problem solving 

Experimentation and knowledge discovery 

Advanced engineering fundamental knowledge (System reasoning?) 

Personal skills and attitudes 

External and societal context 

Conceiving and engineering systems 

Program 

1. Introduction. Bases of design. Historical perspective. Methods of analysis and 

design. 

Actions. Types of actions. Combinations of actions. 

2. Material properties. Concrete: classification and constitutive relationships. 

Reinforcement. Joint performance of both materials. 

3. Cross sections submitted to bending and to the axial force. General bases 

concerning bending performance. Sections submitted to axial forces. Sections 

submitted to uniaxial bending without axial force. Sections submitted to uniaxial 

bending combined with the axial force. Prestressed concrete cross sections. Sections 

submitted to biaxial bending. 

4. Reinforced concrete beams. Shear. Performance of reinforced concrete beams 

under bending combined with shear. Safety evaluation under shear. Specific rules for 

the design and detailing of beams. 

5. Torsion. Torsion acting alone and torsion associated with shear. 

6. Second order effects in columns. Design and safety verification of columns with 

second order effects according to the Eurocode 2 method based on nominal curvature. 


Environmental and Urban Hydraulics 


6,5 ECTS 75 174 


To give to students and future Civil Engineers the fundamental concepts of 

Environmental and Urban Hydraulics within the Water Cycle component included in 

the water supply and drainage water systems areas. The main goal is to prepare 

students and prepare them for the project, for its evaluation, analysis and discussion 

as well as for the works supervision and exploration of Water Supply Systems’ 

infrastructures components. Special emphasis will be given to the normative aspects of 

construction and exploration of the infrastructures’ hydraulic components. 

Program 

Water Supply and Drainage Systems and its situation in Portugal. Water for human 

use. Legislation and Regulations. Quality certification in Water Supply Systems. 

Elaboration of water supply. Water needs. Flow rate measurement. Pipes materials for 

water amd drainage systems. Installation. Water treatment supply. Water Hammer in 

Pumping Systems. Regularization and Storage. Water supply lift station. Delivery. 

Water Disinfection during transport. Wastewater sewage. Transportation of 

Wastewater under pressure. Wastewater lift station. Wastewater treatment. 

Wastewater flow rate measurement. Discharge of effluents. Sludge Final destiny. 

Remote management. Maintenance of Water Supply and Drainage Systems. 


Construction Monitoring and Observation 

Program 


5 ECTS 52,5 133 

Introduction. History of Structural Engineering. Test Purposes. 

Metrology. Measurement methods. Quality of Data – Uncertainty and errors. 

Instrumentation and Data systems: transducers and sensors. Accuracy, resolution and 

range. Signal conditioning and data transmision. 

Displacement transducers: Dial gages, LVDt and potenciometers. 

Strain-Measurement Methods. Types of Strain-Gages: mechanical, electrical and 

accustical (vibrating wire). 

Electrical-resistance strain-gages: strain sensitivity; gage construction, adhesives and 

mounting methods; gage sensitivities and gage factor; enviromental effects. 

Weatstone bridge circuit. Effect of lead wires. Load cells. 

Temperature sensing devices:thermocouples, thermitors and RTDs. 

Structural observation and monitoring. 

Materials characterization tests. Load tests. 

Non-destructive testing for diagnosis and structural evaluation. Ultrasonic testing. 

Resistivity measurement. Electromagnetic methods of testing. Case studies and 

applications. 

Instrumentation and monitoring of geotechnical works. Measurement of superficial 

displacements: topographical mehods and convergences. Measurement of internal 

displacements. Total pressures measurement. State of stress determination using load 

cells. Pore water pressure measurement: hydraulic piezometers, pneumatic 

piezometers and electric piezometers. 


Construction with New Materials 


5 ECTS 60 133 


In the last few years, there has been a remarkable development of new materials and 

techniques, due to demands of the construction industry and environmental concerns 

related to sustainability. This implies a clear understanding of behaviour of materials, 

characteristics of different products, application techniques and structural 

performance. 

The main subjects of this course will be the following: 

Materials: Durability; Sustainability; eco efficient additions such as rice husk ash- RHA; 

Waste materials in concrete; Special types of concrete; Self compacting concrete, 

polymer concrete; glassfiber reinforced concrete (GRC); composite materials with 

reinforced fibers GFPR (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer), CFRP (Carbon Fiber 

Reinforced Plastic) and AFRP (Aramid Fiber Reinforced Plastic); aluminium; material 

characterization for short or long term durability 

Techniques: controlled permeability formwork (CPF); special techniques for concrete; 

hardening techniques by addition of FRP (Fiber reinforced polymer) systems; 

construction with aluminium alloys; quality control procedures 

Techniques: controlled permeability formwork (CPF); special techniques for concrete; 

hardening techniques by addition of FRP (Fiber reinforced polymer) systems; 

construction with aluminium alloys; quality control procedures 

Program 

1 Composite material (L. Juvandes) 

1. 1 Introduction 

1.2 Mortar and polymer concrete 

1.2.1 Introduction 

1.2.2 Polymer impregnated concrete (PIC) 

1.2.3. Polymer modified concrete 

1.2.4. Polymer concrete 

1.3. Fiber reinforced concrete 

1.4 – Elements of a FRP composite (fibres, polymeric Matrix and Additives) 

1.5 - Composites Systems of FRP in Civil Construction (shapes, production techniques, 

properties and examples of application) 

2 –Reinforcement techniques (unidirectional CFRP systems) 

2.1 – Background of cementing techniques: EBR (External Bonded Reinforcement) and 

NSM (Near Surface Mounted) technique 

2.2 - Selection of the composite system 


2.3 – Sizing recommendations: Fib (federation international du beton) , ACI (American 

Concrete Institute), ISIS (International Scientific Interchange Scheme), JCI 

2.4 – Reinforcement procedures 

2.5 – Quality control 

2.6 – Reinforcement design with CFRP composites systems 

2.7- Flexion and near surface mounted reinforcement (University of Minho) 

2.8- Wood structures reinforcement 

3 – Durability Enhancement of concrete structures (J.Sousa-Coutinho) 

3.1 - Sustainability and durability issues 

3.2 – Design for Durability (additions: silcafume, metakaolin, etc). Standardization. 

3.3- New techniques to improve durability: General considerations, hydrophobic 

impregnation, impregnation, coating, corrosion inhibitors, use of stainless steel, 

carbon steel with epoxy coating, galvanized steel, cathodic protection, cathodic 

prevention, controlled permeability formwork system and multibarrier systems. 

4.Waste Materials for sustainable concrete (J.Sousa-Coutinho) 

4.1 Introduction 

4.2 Use of waste as cement replacement material (eco-efficient additions) 

4.2.1 RHA –Rice husk ash 

4.2.2 Biomass bottom ash 

4.2.3 Biomass fly ash 

4.2.4 Glass waste 

4.2.5 Other waste materials 

5. Special types of concrete (J.Sousa-Coutinho with Sandra Nunes in collaboration) 

5.1 General considerations 

5.2 Self compacting concrete 

5.3 Concrete with waste materials 


Steel and Composite Structures 


5 ECTS 60 133 


Based on the knowledge gained in the study of Strength of Materials complemented 

with concepts from the Theory of Instability and with specific regulations, a series of 

common problems in the area of Steel and Composite Steel-concrete structures are 

proposed. These applications will allow future engineers an easy integration into 

practical civil engineering activity. 

Given the reduced number of classes allowed for this subject, no particular emphasis is 

given to the issues related with definition of loads and design factors (RSA and EC1) 

and it is assumed these matters have been presented in other subjects. 

Program 

1. Materials (EC3) 

Mechanical properties of steel. Steel products (reference to steel profiles of european, 

british and american series). 

2. Structural analysis 

Global analysis of steel frames: P-Delta and P-delta effects. Elastic vs plastic analysis, 

simplified vs exact 2nd order analysis. Restrained and unrestrained frames. 

3. Cross sections 

Classification of cross sections according to EC3. Determination of effective class 

4 sections. 

4. Design of tension and bending elements 

Design of structural elements in tension and bending. Shear resistance of cross 

sections. Interaction between bending moments and shear forces. Interaction 

between bending moment and axial forces. 

5. Design of bars in compression 

Study of study of structural elements subjected to compression forces. Critical Euler 

buckling load. Slenderness of compressed element. 

Design of compressed elements according to REAE and EC3. Direct design of members 

formed by associations of angles: reference to the design of lattice structures. Buckling 

lengths of structural elements integrated in plane frames of regular geometry: 

application of EC3 criteria. 

6. Lateral buckling of structural elements 

Critical buckling moments: exact and approximate formulae. Lateral buckling 


coefficients. Equivalent moment coefficients. Effect of the level of application of loads. 

Design and verification of stability of beam-columns subject to lateral bending/ 

torsional buckling according to EC3. 

7. Local shear buckling 

Critical stresses in the elastic branch of web plates simply supported in the boundary, 

submitted to uniform compression and shear forces. Critical Euler stress and buckling 

coefficients. Interaction formulae considering a combination of compression and 

shear. Elasto-plastic branch. Design of horizontal and vertical web stiffeners. 

8. Design of structural elements subjected to axial compression and bending moments 

Assessment of slenderness and interaction resistances. Verification of resistance and 

statbility according to EC3. 

9. Steel-concrete composite structures 

Introduction to the study of composite steel-concrete structures. Behaviour of 

composite steel-concrete beams. Design principles according to EC4. Classification of 

composite steel-concrete cross sections. 

Design of composite steel-concrete beams according to EC4. Influence of constructive 

process. Effects of shrinkage and creep. Verification for service load combinations. 

Design of shear connection using headed stud connectors. 

Design of composite steel-concrete columns. 

10. Joints 

Basic principles in the design of bolted joints: design of the flexible and stiff joints. 

Welded joints: design of welds for the flange-web connection of the steel beam. 


Earth Retaining Structures 


5 ECTS 60 133 


JUSTIFICATION 

This course complements the formation related with earth retaining structures, 

initiated in Soil Mechanics 2 with the study of retaining walls, and focus on the study of 

flexible structures not covered previously, namely, cantilever retaining walls, single 

propped retaining walls, multi-propped retaining walls, multi-anchored retaining walls 

and soil nailed excavations. 

OBJECTIVES 

To learn the theories and methods related with theconception, the design, the 

construction and the monitoring of flexible earth retaining structures. 

SKILS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES 

Knowledge: To describe the main concepts related with the behaviour of flexible earth 

retaining structures. 

Comprehension: To identify the appropriated methods of analysis and design and to 

select the adequated constructive solutions. 

Application: To calculate and to develop structural solutions for different scenarios, 

relaying on the current National and European structural codes. To draw structural 

solutions that illustrate the obtained design. 

Analysis: To discuss and compare different structural solutions, them taking into 

account the site constraints. 

Synthesis: To consider and to formulate solutions on the basis of alternative quality 

criteria and construction sustainability . 

Evaluation: To criticize solutions and to recommend new proposals that overcome 

shortcomings or present advantages. 

CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECT 

Acquisition of a set of skills for the design of flexible earth retaining structures, 

involving the appropriate choice of the solutions and technologies, the analysis, the 

design and the detailing of the solutions, including the definition of the construction 

phases and the monitoring plans. 

RESEARCH IN CIVIL ENGINEERING 

Application of advanced methodologies of analysis of flexible earth retaining 

structures. Confrontation of the results with the ones from classic methodologies. 

CIVIL ENGINEERING PRACTICE 


To learn the elaboration and the organization of the project of flexible earth retaining 

structures. 

Program 

1. Concept of flexible earth retaining structure. Soil-structure interaction. Soil-arch 

effect. Examples of earth retaining structures. 

2. Cantilever retaining walls. 

3. Single propped retaining walls. 

4. Multi-propped retaining walls. 

5. Multi-anchored retaining walls. 

6. Constructive solutions. Sheet pile walls, concrete piled walls, Berlin-type walls, jetgrouting 

walls and large diameter shafts. 

7. Hydraulic Instability. Bearing capacity (heave) analysis in soft soils. 

8. Vertical stability of anchored walls. Global stability analysis. 

9. Ground anchors. 

10. Movements associated with excavations. 

11. Monitoring of excavations. 

12. Nailed excavations. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

Scientific content – 60% 

Technological content – 40% 


Underground Works 


5 ECTS 52,5 133 


Knowledge about underground works, namely in the aspects related to the use of 

underground space, with the phenomena of theses works and the use of numerical 

and analytical solutions for the calculations. Geomechanical characterization of the 

ground for the design of underground structures. Use of empirical methodologies and 

use of different constructive processes. Interaction with existing infrastructures at 

surface and importance of the monitoring of these works. 

Program 

Perspectives about the use of underground space. Classification of underground 

works. Transportation works (road and railway tunnels, subways, stations). 

Underground storage works (natural gas, liquid hydrocarbon, waste products). 

Underground urban environment. Underground mining exploration. 

Underground work phenomena. Deformations due to the opening of a tunnel. 

Characteristic curves. Application of the convergence-confinement methodology. 

Surface tunnels. 

Analytical solutions for lined and non-lined tunnels. Numerical methodologies. Use of 

the software Phase2 for tunnel calculations. 

Geomechanical characterization. Preliminary studies. Conduction of the geologicalgeotechnical 

study. 

Preliminary design of underground structures using empirical methodologies. AFTES 

recommendations. 

Design of underground structures. Design sequence. Planning of the excavations. Use 

of blasting. NATM/SEM method. Road header and full face tunnel excavation 

machines. Open and closed type TBM’s, EPB solutions, slurry type shield. Different 

types of supports (bolts, shotcrete, metallic profiles, ground reinforcement, jetgrouting). 

Interaction between underground structures and existing infrastructures at surface. 

Tunneling induced surface displacements and damage to the existing infrastructures. 

Monitoring of underground works. Monitoring plan. Equipments. Alarm criteria. 


Quality in Construction 


5 ECTS 60 133 


- To provide a wide comprehension of the specifics of the civil construction production 

environment; 

- To test the established student's knowledge in different and less common situations; 

- To demonstrate the importance of non-technical factors for the work of a Civil 

Engineer; 

- To present the framework and application of TQM and other Quality issues in the civil 

construction environment; 

- To define criteria for quality assessment depending on the position of the person 

involved; 

- To be critic upon one's own work; 

- To analyse and explore methodologies for increased efficiency in individual and 

collective work; 

- To develop just good common sense. 

Program 

Introduction: Presentation of the Module and its procedures. Motivation of the 

students to assume a position of pre-professionals and not just graduating pupils. 

Emphasis for the open discussion planned for the classes. 

Definition od Quality: Presentation of the Quality lexicon and explanation of its diverse 

frames. Explanation, in current words and with easy examples, of quality assurance 

procedures. Common questions and wrong ideas existing in current public opinion. 

Civil Construction Industry: Detailed description of the activity sequence needed to 

achieve a building end the functions performed by each actor. Specific stressing for the 

relationships between these activities in order to obtain a complete and real image of 

the operating way for the industry. The building as "current good" perspective. 

The Project Manager: Explanation of the difference between "Project" and the 

portuguese "Projecto" in the light of the references on this theme. Description of 

Functional and Projectized organisations. Demonstration of how the basic principles of 

Project Management, adequately adapted, can lead to the implementation of new 

professional attitudes and higher quality of the final product in civil construction. 

Methods for defining the expected quality of a service or a product in civil 

construction: Establishment of a critical analysis position concerning the work of the 

diverse team members; how to transmit, accurately, what is required and how to 

assess the result. To understand the importance of the final user in defining the 

expected quality. 


Methods for Design Quality Evaluation: Demonstration of the advantages of a logical 

analysis of the activities sequence and design options. Understanding the existence of 

a wide database of sucesses and failures and how to use it to increase the quality of 

the final product. Use of MC/FEUP Method for the establishment of a conscience upon 

the different influence of all factors contributing for the development of a specific 

design. 

Evaluation and Quality Control of Execution: Detailed description of the two most 

common professional activities for newly graduated engineers – Site Supervision and 

Quality Control. 

Quality Assurance for the user: Understanding the difference between "responsible" 

and "guilty". Description of the more effective procedures to obtain a quality 

assurance easily enforced. 

Evaluation of Proposals and Bids: How to establish criteria and how to estimate its 

influence in the final result. How to develop evaluation reports for Owner analysis. 

Personal relationships in the Civil Construction Industry: Conscience of the wide 

diversity of technical and cultural profiles existing in this environment. Importance of 

hierarqy and aspects to be looked after while dealing with the different levels of 

competence and action. 

The Organisation of the Work of the Civil Construction Professional: To orientate the 

students in their first professional investments. How to mainatin a weel organised 

activity. How to develop documents adjusted to its technical purpose and recipients. 

The Professional Perspectives for the Future Civil Engineer: To describe to the students 

the various professional areas and their contours – both technical and economic – in 

particular concerning new graduates. The effort for developing quality work and 

strains to be dealt with in this trend. 


Planning and Environmental Quality 


5 ECTS 60 133 


A) Scientific-formatives: conception of the methods and instruments of ambient 

qualification of the urban spaces in a perspective of sustainable development. 

B) Critical-formatives: development of the critical capacity on the problematic one of 

the urban quality. 

Program 

The nature of the ambient conflicts in the contexts urban and regional. 

- Techniques of Comment in Urban Planning; - Concept of permeability (physical and 

visual)dos urban spaces; 

- Importance of the interfaces public-private; 

- Concept of variety - forms, uses and factors: economies of scale and space 

specialization. 

- Concept of legibility; 

- physical Forms and standards of activity - difficulties to the reading of the urban 

spaces; 

- Concept of robustness-polyvalence; 

Analysis of the robustness to the great e to the small scale. 

- Concept of wealth of the urban spaces felt Importance and paper of the diverse ones 

in the perception of the city. 

- Concept and importance of the personalization of the public and private spaces; 

The Territorial Planning as instrument of control of the quality of the environment. 

- Indicating of quality of the urban environment; 

- Advantages and disadvantages of the planning - particular case of the fulfillment of 

the Principle of the Paying Polluting agent. 

Joint of the planning with the instruments of the environment politics. 

Ambient qualification and urban sustainability. 

- green Structure and sustainability; 

- Principles of the sustainable urban management. 


Transport Systems 


5 ECTS 52,5 133 


Increase the general knowledge of the students in the field of transportation. 

Program 

Historical evolution, in terms of technology and organization, of the different transport 

modes (air, maritime, road and rail). 

Organization of the markets of the different transport modes. 

Transport Economics. 


Railways 


5 ECTS 60 133 


The study of railways as a mean of transportation; main characteristics of railways 

infrastructures and materials 


a) be capable of understanding and developing applications 

b) be capable of applying their knowledge to solve problems and new situations in 


c) be capable of incorporating knowledge, dealing with complex situations with lack of 


d) a long-life learning in a self-oriented and autonomous way. 

Program 

Railways: characteristics 

Evolution of railways 

Static and dynamic analysis of railway tracks 

Construction and route of a railway track 

Stress of materials on a track; hunting movement; guiding strength 

Analysis of mechanical behaviour of the elements that compose the infrastructure 

Railway track capacity 

High-speed and tilting train technology 


Maritime Works 1 


5 ECTS 52,5 133 


This course aims to acquaint students with physical aspects of interfaces and 

interaction in maritime and coastal zones, through maritime hydrodynamics and 

coastal hydromorphology. 

This course aims to act as an introduction to conception, design, execution and 

observation of maritime and port structures. 

Environmental issues 

Learning Outcomes (CDIO Sylllabus): 

Core engineering fundamental knowledge 

Advanced engineering fundamental knowledge 



System thinking 

Personal Skills and Attitudes 

Professional Skills and Attitudes 

Teamwork 

Communications 



Designing 

Implementing 

Program 

Tides, winds and currents; maritime agitation; generation and propagation; Airy’s 

theory 

Structural components and techniques: design, hydraulic and structural behaviour, 

dimensioning and construction features. 

Wave propagation and deformation in coastal areas; agitation on structural elements 

(Morison); applications 


Maritime Works 2 


5 ECTS 60 133 


Physical processes of interaction of sea waves with solid boundaries and structures. 

Laboratorial and numerical techniques for wave modelling and design. Introduction to 

port planning. Harbour and coastal structures design. Environmental problems related 

with harbours. 

Learning Outcomes (CDIO Sylllabus): 


Advanced engineering fundamental knowledge 



System thinking 

Personal Skills and Attitudes 

Professional Skills and Attitudes 

Teamwork 

Communications 



Designing 

Implementing 

Program 

Maritime Hydraulics (2nd part): Wave action on coastal and harbour structures (cont.). 

Wave propagation and interaction (cont.). Modelling. Physical modelling. Long period 

waves. Irregular waves. Wave spectra. Structural components and construction 

techniques (2nd part): Design of coastal protection structures. 

Planning of ports: physical planning, berth and terminal design, equipments, marinas, 

dredging works. 

Environmental issues: coastal environments, estuarine systems, EIA (Environmental 

impact assessment) and fight against pollution. 


SECOND SEMESTER 


Structural Analysis II 


7 ECTS 90 188 


Presentation and quarrel of the method of displacements, matrical formularization, for 

analysis of reticulated structures in linear regimen, plain and three-dimensional, and 

its point of view developments of its practical application, namelly if it relates to its use 

in the automatic calculation. Presentation of the general aspects of the method of the 

finite elements. Dynamic analysis of structures applied simple the structural systems. 

Introduction to the geometric non linear analysis and plastic analysis. The study of the 

structural methods analysis is followed by the concern to increase the degree of 

understanding of the structures behavior, of the point of view of the distribution of 

efforts and displacements. 

Program 

Ch1 - Matrix Analysis using Displacement Method 

Matrix form of Displacement Method. Assembling stiffness matrices of bars and 

composition of global stiffness matrix of the structure. Using matrix analysis to 

structures with sloped bars. Transformation matrix of displacement and forces from 

local to global axis. Sistematization of displacement method matrix formulation. 

Introduction to structural computer analysis. General outline of a computer program 

for structural analysis. Analysis of 3D bar structures and presentation of the 

corresponding matrix formulation. 

Ch2 - Introduction to Finite Element Method 

General aspects of formulation and analogy with displacement method. Shape 

functions and element stiffness matrix. Main types of elements and its application: 2D 

and 3D elements; slabs; shells. Practical uses of FEM. 

Ch3 - Hardy-Cross method 

Introduction to the method. Notion of distribution and transmission coefficient. 

Particular cases of HC method. Application of HC method to structures with freedom of 

displacement of nodes. Indirect HC method. Analysis of a structure considering 

different number of unknowns. relationship between the different types of stiffnes 

matrices. Matrix condensation. 

Ch4 - Introduction to Structural Dynamics 

Basic concepts of Structural Dynamics. Formulation of the fundamental equation of 

dynamic equilibrium. Free movement without dampening. Notions of frequency and 

vibation period. Free movement with dampening. Notion of dampening coefficient. 

Response to a sine- wave action. Factor of dynamic amplification. Ressonance 

response. Response to a sine-wave action with dampening. 

Detrmination of the response to any type of action using the decomposition with 


Fourier series. Characterization of seismic action. Structures subject to support 

movement. Determination of the effects of earthquakes. Response spectrum. Notion 

of behaviour coefficient. Introduction to dynamic of systems with several degrees of 

freedom. 

Ch5 - Geometric nonlinear analysis of frames 

Update of bar analysis using second order effects. Geometric stiffnes matrix of a bar 

and of a frame. Structural analysis including second order effects. Determination of 

critical loads and buckling modes (P-delta). Simplified methods of analysis of second 

order actions. Codes of practice. 

Ch6 - Plastic analysis of structures 

Update of the concepts of plastic moment and failure (collapse) mechanisms. Partial 

and system failure (collapse). Theorems of plastic analysis: plastic and cinematic. 

Determination of failure (collapse) forces of a given system. Automation of plastic 

analysis. 


Soil Mechanics II 


6 ECTS 75 160 


Introduction to the concepts, theories and methods used in Civil Engineering for the 

design of works and structures whose stability relies on the mechanical behaviour of 

soil masses. 

Program 

Classical theories of lateral earth pressure. At-rest state of stress. Rankine active and 

passive states. Strains associated with Rankine states. Active and passive thrusts. 

Caquot-Kérisel tables. Coulomb theory. Mononobe-Okabe theory to estimate active 

and passive pressures under seismic conditions. 

Design of gravity retaining walls. Modes of failure. Global safety factors. Limit state 

design and partial safety factors in Geotechnics. Introduction to Eurocode 7 - 

Geotechnical Design. 

Stability of slopes and embankments. Solutions for infinite slopes. Wedge method. 

Fellenius and Bishop methods. Stability of embankments on soft soils. Methods for the 

improvement of stability. Stability of cuttings in cohesive soils. Stabilization of natural 

slopes. The role of observation. 

In situ testing versus laboratory testing. Penetration tests: SPT, CPTU (piezocone) and 

dynamic probing. Vane-shear test. Cross-hole seismic test. Plate load test. 

Pressuremeter tests: Ménard and self-boring pressuremeter. 

Shallow foundations. Bearing capacity. Theoretical solution and correction factors for 

shape, inclination of the load and influence of a rigid boundary and account for the 

eccentricity of the load. Immediate settlement. Elastic solution and semi-empirical 

corrections. Criteria for evaluating soil deformability modulus for estimating the 

settlement. Allowable settlement. Effect of soil-structure interaction on the 

distribution of the loads on the foundations and on the induced settlements. 

Introduction to pile foundations. Bearing capacity. Classical method and empirical 

method based on the results of CPT or DMT tests. 

Compaction. Basic concepts. Compaction curve. Proctor test. Energy of compaction. 

Compaction in the lab versus compaction in the field. Compaction equipments. Control 

of compaction in the field. 


Roads II 


6,5 ECTS 75 174 


This course aims to train students to design a municipal road by themselves, or to be in 

a team controlled by a road engineering in order to design road arteries. 


1- be capable of understanding and developing applications 

2- be capable of applying their knowledge to solve problems and new situations in 


3- be capable of incorporating knowledge, dealing with complex situations with lack of 


4- be capable of communicating their conclusions unambiguously. 

Program 

Longitudinal section: the study of geometric elements that constitute the grade line- 

slopes and ramps. Estradas de Portugal (Portuguese governing council of the 

autonomous roads) rules. 

Cross section: functions and characteristics of the constituting elements of a cross 

section of a road; drainage structures. 

Traffic: basic concepts of capacity and volume of service. Its calculation on two-lane 

roads and motorways; 

Earthworks: cross sections; calculation of volumes and mass distribution. 

Road geotechnics: exploration plans, seismic refraction surveying and CBR tests. 

Pavements: overview on different kinds of pavements (description and comparison); 

detailed study of flexible structures 


Structural Concrete II 


8 ECTS 90 214 


To understand the theories and models of analysis of framed structures, slabs and 

foundations under service and ultimate load conditions. 

- To discuss the detailing rules to be applied, as specified in the regulations for 

concrete structures. 

- To introduce students to the design of reinforced concrete structures, of the types 

described above. 

Learning Outcomes (CDIO): 

Advanced engineering fundamental knowledge (applications) 




Personal skills and attitudes (creative thinking, curiosity and lifelong learning, time and 

resource management) 

Professional skills and attitudes (professional ethics, integrity, responsibility and 

accountability) 

External and societal context (roles and responsibility of engineers, the impact of 

engineering on society, society regulation of engineering) 

Conceiving and engineering systems (setting system goals and requirements, 

modelling of system and ensuring goals can be met, development project 

management) 

Designing 

Implementing 

Program 

1. Serviceability limit states. Behaviour of structures under service load conditions. 

Shrinkage and creep effects. Durability of structures. Service limit states of cracking 

and deformation. 

2. Design of columns with regards to instability (second order effects). 

3. Analysis and design of framed structures. Models for structural analysis. Simplified 

methods for structural analysis and verification. Specific rules for the design and 

detailing of reinforced concrete structures. Examples. 

4. Design of slabs and stairs. Analysis of slabs. Design of flat slabs. Waffle slabs. Design 

of stairs. 


5. Concrete foundations. Introduction. Column footings and wall footings. Foundations 

shared by several columns and inverted slabs as foundations. Pile caps. 


Hydrology and Water Resources 


6,5 ECTS 75 175 


This course aims to acquaint all the undergraduate students in Civil Engineering with 

knowledge that will prepare them for the design in the following areas of hydrology: 

surface water, water resources management and urban stormwater drainage systems. 

General information about hydroelectric plants. 

Program 

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES AND WATERSHEDS 

Physiographic characteristics. Fluvial geomorphology. Rainfall prediction. Hydrologic 

analysis. Flood prediction. Extreme events. Reservoir flood routing. Flood mitigation 

and flood control. Preventing and corrective measures. River training and channel 

protection incorporating environmental objectives. Geographycal Information 

Systems. 

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 

Water resources availability and constraints. Institutional framework. The Water 

Framework Directive. River Basin Plans. National System for Water Resources 

Information. 

URBAN DRAINAGE 

Urban watersheds. Flow and flood prediction for urban catchments. Design of storm 

sewer systems. Design regulations. Pipe network and design. Technical components. 

Rain water quality. New concepts. 

DAMS AND RESERVOIRS 

Main characteristics and purposes. Different kinds of dams. Hydraulic and technical 

components. Safety devices. Socio and environmental impacts. Examples. 


Technology of Construction 


5,5 ECTS 60 145 


Introduction to Technology of Construction; waterproofing and drainage of 

foundations. Walls. Pavements. Coverings. Windows and protections. Water and 

sewage installation in buildings. The project, work and quality. 

Learning Outcomes: 

Understanding 

Application 

To structure information 

Self-oriented study 

Interpretation of results 

Written communication 

Formulation of problems 

Project management 

Time management 

Integration of knowledge 

Project (analysis, specification, project and validation) 

Program 

Foundations; most common types of foundations; waterproofing and drainage of 

foundations 

Walls. Types of walls. Structural masonry walls. Wall revetments. Masonry wall 

crack. Wall moisture. 

Floors. Solid floor- casings. Floors with prefabricated elements. Floor revetment- rules 

of quality 

Roofs- structure of roofs; discontinuous revetment of roofs; flat roof 

Windows and protections. Types of windows. Characterization of windows. 

Water and sewage installation in buildings. Water installation. Water and sewage 

installation in buildings. Water installation. Sewage installation. Complementary 

organs of installation. Regulation. 

The project, the work and the quality. The working site. The work. Quality in 

construction. 


Urban Environment and Transport 

Planning 


5 ECTS 45 135 


To provide instruments for the description and interpretation of current problems of 

urban environment and transport. 

To present and discuss strategies, methodologies and instruments for urban 

environment and transport policies and planning. 

Program 

Theoretical classes 

CHAPTER 1- Problems: nature, meaning and extension of environmental conflicts in 

urban areas. 

The urban environment in the contemporary city; Quality factors; Problems of 

measurement and forecast of urban environment quality; Indicators and quality index; 

Examples 

Environmental conflicts; Introduction to Environment economics and Natural 

resources; Public goods and externalities; price system and allocation levels of natural 

resources. 

Civil code agenda regarding environmental conflicts; potentialities and limitations; 

critique; Introduction to environmental law 

The need of administrative intervention in environmental conflicts: why?; Typology of 

tools of environmental law and their relation to product-consumption model 

CHAPTER 2 

Methodologies: organization of urban spaces; characteristics; diagnosis and forecast 

Brief reference to the main components of natural biophysical system (topography, 

climate, geology, geomorphology, soils, water resources and biological resources) and 

to anthropic biophysical system (soil use, landscape, heritage, environmental 

pollution) 

Case Study 1- Localization of equipment (inter-municipal sanitary landfill) – Application 

of geographic information system (GIS) to variables of planning of natural and 

anthropic biophysical systems. 

Socio-economic system; Introduction to demography; the importance of demography 

in urban and regional planning; main demographic variables 

Study trip 

Methods of demographic projection; direct and indirect methods: extrapolation 


(polynomial, exponential, linear regression, multilinear regression), Comparatives, 

Ratios and Components. 

Introduction to cohort survival method (also known as demographic components) 

The economic performance of cities; localization economies; agglomeration 

economies; uneconomic localization and agglomeration; effects of technological 

changes on external economies; measure of economic performance of cities; 

Housing; main domains of analysis and planning of housing; housing pressure and 

housing discomfort; construction dynamic; distributive aspects: ways of housing 

accommodation 

Communal facilities; main typologies; facilities programming and communal facilities 

networks: amount and type of equipment; assessment of facility networks and 

localization criteria; operation models and extension of the design criteria of facility 

networks 

Case study 2- strategic plan for sustainable development of the municipality of Maia; 

presentation and discussion of the general guidelines of the plan and main proposals 

Transport and urban environment; relation between transports and soil use; mobility 

and accessibilities; traditional model of planning; introduction to the general model of 

transport: trips; distribution of trips; routes; modal choice; examples of municipal 

policies for transports; 

Techniques of regional economic analysis which are relevant to urban and 

metropolitan spaces; introduction to shift-share analysis; calculation of share and shift; 

results typology and critical interpretation; examples and application 

Input-output analysis; matrix formulation; table of technical coefficients; concept of 

multiplier; presentation and discussion of an example and application 

CHAPTER 3- Ideologies: strategic vision and sustainable development: perspectives and 

objectives of intervention 

Sustainable development: objectives and background; the biogeophysical environment 

in territory planning. Territory planning in Portugal; 


Master in Civil Engineering Thesis 


30 ECTS 180 800 


The development of the Master Thesis should take into account the following skills: 

- Acquire knowledge in a particular area of Civil Engineering, using the research 

activity, innovation or development of professional skills; 

- Ability to integrate knowledge, handle complex issues, develop solutions and make 

judgments in situations of limited or incomplete information, including reflections on 

the implications and ethical and social responsibilities that result from those solutions 

and those judgments; 

- Being able to communicate their outcomes, knowledge and arguments, in a clear and 

unambiguous way. 

Program 

The thesis program defines the objectives, the tasks and the schedule for all the 

semester. This program is proposed by the thesis supervisor and should be approved 

by the Director of the Course after consulting the Scientific Committee.

MASTER IN CIVIL ENGINEERING - Faculdade de Engenharia da ...

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