MSE Master of Science in Engineering

The Swiss engineering master's degree

Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories: 

  • 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
    TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules.
  • 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
    FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation.
  • 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
    CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.

In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:

  • instruction
  • documentation
  • examination 
Material Mechanics and Plasticity in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering (TSM_MatPla)

1. Contents: Introduction to continuum mechanics and plasticity theory; analysis of constitutive laws for soils and construction materials in structural engineering; application of plasticity theory for ultimate load calculations in geotechnical and structural engineering.

2. Objectives: After completing this module, students should have developed an in-depth understanding of the constitutive laws governing soils and structural materials used in civil engineering. They should be able to correctly apply these laws in the calculation of ultimate loads for specific engineering structures. Furthermore, students should understand the methods for determining load-bearing capacity based on plasticity theory in both geotechnical and structural engineering and be able to apply them to appropriate practical problems.

Prerequisites

 

  • Knowledge of structural analysis of frame structures and plate structures, as well as knowledge of the design and construction of load-bearing structures made of reinforced concrete and steel.
  • Knowledge of soil mechanics, as well as of the calculation and design of geotechnical structures.
  • Knowledge of matrix algebra and differential equations.

 

Learning Objectives

After completing this module, students should be able to:

a) develop an in-depth understanding of the constitutive laws of soils and structural materials used in civil engineering;

b) correctly assess which constitutive law is appropriate to apply in a given practical situation;

c) understand the purpose and significance of the limit load method and the limit theorems in plasticity theory;

d) understand and apply methods for determining load-bearing capacity using the limit load method in both geotechnical and structural engineering;

e) apply constitutive laws to calculate realistic load-bearing capacities for geotechnical structures as well as for structures in structural engineering;

f) interpret and validate the results of load-bearing capacity calculations.

Contents of Module

Introduction to Continuum Mechanics and Material Mechanics (approx. 35%)

  • Introduction to static and kinematic relationships; introduction to material behavior (linear-elastic, ideally plastic behavior, plastic potential, yield criteria) (approx. 10%)
  • Constitutive laws for soils (elasticity; failure criteria and plastic flow, hardening, critical state) (approx. 15%)
  • Constitutive laws for structural materials used in civil engineering (steel, reinforced concrete, fiber-reinforced concrete, ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), glass) (approx. 10%)

2. Application of Plasticity Theory in Structural Engineering (approx. 40%)

  • Limit theorems of plasticity theory
  • Elastoplastic systems
  • Limit load methods for frame structures, including practical examples: static and kinematic approaches
  • Limit load methods for plate structures, including practical examples: simple moment fields, yield-line analysis, and the strip method

3. Application of Plasticity Theory and Nonlinear Material Behavior in Geotechnical Engineering (approx. 25%)

  • Selected practical case studies of geotechnical problems (retaining walls, slope stability, shallow foundations, deep excavations)

 

Teaching and Learning Methods

 

  • Lectures and seminar-style instruction
  • Independent exercises

 

Literature

 

  • Theory of Structures: Fundamentals, Framed Structures, Plates and Shells, by Prof. Dr. Peter Marti, 2013, Online ISBN:9783433602638 |DOI:10.1002/9783433602638, Wilhelm Ernst & Sohn
  • "Constitutive laws for soil", Prof. Dr. Carlo Rabaiotti, OST Ostschweizer Fachhochschule Rapperswil, 2017/2025
  • Further teaching materials from the lectures

 

Download full module description

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