Applied Structural Design 1

Course Description

ETC4414C Applied Structural Design 1 is an introduction to structural analysis and applied member design within the Civil Engineering Technology program. Designs of concrete, timber, and steel members are covered alongside current code and specification requirements, including the Florida Building Code (FBC), ACI 318 (reinforced concrete), AISC (steel), and NDS (timber). Students apply structural mechanics principles to real-world design problems involving common building members such as beams, columns, slabs, and connections. The lab component provides hands-on practice with design calculations, code tables, and structural drawings. This is a 3-credit, upper-division course within the Engineering Technologies > Civil Engineering Technology taxonomy.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and calculate structural design loads (dead, live, wind, and other code-required loads) using ASCE 7 and the Florida Building Code.
• Apply ASD (Allowable Stress Design) and/or LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design) methodologies to structural member design.
• Design basic reinforced concrete members — including beams, one-way slabs, and columns — in accordance with ACI 318 specifications.
• Design basic timber structural members — including beams, columns, and walls — using NDS specifications.
• Design basic structural steel members — including tension members, compression members, and beams — using AISC specifications.
• Interpret and apply relevant sections of the Florida Building Code to calculate code-required structural design parameters.
• Identify and describe the properties of structural materials (concrete, steel, and timber) as they relate to structural performance and design.
• Produce and interpret structural design calculations and drawings consistent with professional practice standards.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institution and instructor, students may also:

• Design basic reinforced masonry members, including walls and columns, per ACI 530/TMS 402.
• Analyze simple shear and bending moment diagrams for determinate structures as a review of structural mechanics.
• Apply structural design software or spreadsheet tools to verify hand-calculated designs.
• Discuss wind and hurricane load considerations specific to the Florida high-wind environment.
• Evaluate basic foundation and footing designs for bearing capacity under structural loads.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Introduction to Structural Design — overview of design philosophy, ASD vs. LRFD, structural safety, and load combinations per ASCE 7.
• Structural Loads — dead loads, live loads, environmental loads (wind, seismic); Florida Building Code load requirements.
• Structural Materials Review — properties of concrete, reinforcing steel, structural steel, and timber relevant to design.
• Reinforced Concrete Design (ACI 318)
  • Flexural design of rectangular and flanged (T-beam) beams
  • One-way slab design
  • Shear reinforcement design
  • Short column design (axial and combined loading)
  • Bond, anchorage, and development length
• Timber Design (NDS)
  • Properties and grading of structural lumber
  • Beam design (bending, shear, deflection)
  • Column design and wall stud design
  • Introduction to diaphragms and shear walls
• Steel Design (AISC)
  • Steel material properties and section shapes
  • Tension member design
  • Compression member (column) design
  • Beam (flexural member) design
  • Introduction to bolted and welded connections
• Florida Building Code Application — applying code provisions for structural loads, member sizing, and documentation requirements.

Optional Topics

• Two-way slab systems and deflection control in reinforced concrete.
• Prestressed concrete — basic concepts and member types.
• Masonry design — reinforced masonry walls and columns per TMS 402.
• Beam-column interaction for combined axial and bending loads in steel.
• Footing and foundation design — spread footings under gravity loads.
• Structural software introduction — use of spreadsheets or entry-level structural analysis tools to verify designs.
• Wind load design for Florida — high-velocity hurricane zone considerations and component/cladding design.

Resources & Tools

• Florida Building Code (FBC) — Building Volume (current edition) — required for load and construction compliance provisions.
• ASCE 7: Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures — primary load standard.
• ACI 318: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete — governing standard for reinforced concrete design.
• AISC Steel Construction Manual (current edition) — governing reference for structural steel design (ASD and LRFD).
• NDS: National Design Specification for Wood Construction — governing standard for timber member design.
• Engineering calculator (scientific or programmable) — required for design problem sets.
• Structural design textbooks covering reinforced concrete, steel, and timber (e.g., McCormac & Brown for concrete; McCormac & Csernak for steel; Breyer et al. for timber).
• CAD or drafting tools (as applicable to lab component) for structural drawing interpretation and production.

Career Pathways

Graduates who complete this course as part of the Civil Engineering Technology A.S. or B.S. program are prepared for entry-level technical roles in the structural, civil, and construction engineering industries. Florida's active construction market and hurricane-resilience demands create strong regional demand for structurally trained technologists.

• Structural Engineering Technician — supporting licensed structural engineers in analysis, design documentation, and plan review.
• Civil Engineering Technician — working with civil engineering firms on building and infrastructure projects.
• Construction Project Manager / Superintendent — applying structural knowledge to interpret drawings, manage structural scopes, and coordinate with design teams.
• Building Inspector / Plans Examiner — reviewing structural drawings for code compliance with municipal or county permitting offices.
• Structural Drafting Technician — producing structural construction documents using CAD/BIM tools under engineer supervision.
• Pathway to Licensure — this course supports accumulation of technical knowledge required toward the Florida Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensure pathway via a bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering technology.

Special Information

Florida Building Code Emphasis: Florida's unique exposure to high-wind and hurricane conditions means structural design coursework at Florida colleges specifically addresses high-velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) provisions and wind load calculations per FBC and ASCE 7. Students should be prepared to apply these Florida-specific requirements in design exercises.

Professional Certification Preparation: Completion of this and related Civil Engineering Technology courses contributes toward academic preparation for the NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies) certification program, particularly in the Construction Materials Testing and Structural Testing fields. Students pursuing licensure as a Florida General Contractor or Building Contractor will also benefit from the code application skills developed in this course.

Lab Component: The "C" suffix in ETC4414C indicates a combined lecture/laboratory course. Students should expect a portion of contact hours to involve applied design problems, code table exercises, and/or structural drawing interpretation in a lab setting. A minimum grade of "C" is typically required to satisfy degree or certificate program requirements.