CIVL5276: Semester 2, 2025

Units CIVL5276 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

CIVL5276: Bridge Engineering

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit will provide students a wide knowledge and understanding of Bridge Engineering enabling them to be future practical bridge engineers. The unit consists of 4 parts, as detailed: Part 1 covers Introduction to Bridge Assets, Sustainability and Bridge Design Investigation. Part 2 covers Bridge Design to AS5100-2017. Part 3 covers Bridge Asset Management - Materials of construction, Asset Managers' challenges, Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Bridge Information System. Part 4 covers Types of Non-Destructive Bridge Load Testing and Structural Health Monitoring, and Benefits of Application of these Procedures.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	(CIVL2201 and CIVL3205 and CIVL3206) or (CIVL9201 and CIVL9205 and CIVL9206). Students who have not completed Concrete Structures (CIVL3205 or CIVL9205) will be very disadvantaged and should not attempt this unit
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ali Hadigheh, ali.hadigheh@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	Assignment 1 This would be a concept design task.	35%	Week 06 Due date: 12 Sep 2025 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Assignment 2 Bridge plan and asset management assignment	35%	Week 09 Due date: 10 Oct 2025 at 23:59	The report must not exceed 4500 words.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assignment 3A - Presentation The task includes a presentation and a subsequent Q&A session.	10%	Week 12 Due date: 29 Oct 2025 at 23:59	n/a	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Assignment 3B - Written Report This is a written report.	20%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59	The report must not exceed 4,000 words.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

There will be three assignments.

Assessment criteria

The assignment will be marked and a proper feedback will be provided to the students. Also, the grading would be numeric and the maximum and minimum of the marks will be provided.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

10 percent reduction of the overall mark of the original assignment per day if a student submit their assignment after the due date.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Bridge Engineering	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to the unit & overview of assignments	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 02	Bridge structures & components	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 02	Structural analysis using Strand 7	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Loading Conditions and Design Standards for Bridges	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 03	Bridge structural analysis	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Bridge planning & design	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to bridge design software	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Design of Reinforced Concrete Bridges	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Prestressed Girder Bridge (CSiBridge)	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Steel and Composite Bridge Design	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 06	Steel Girder Bridge Design (CSiBridge) Seismic Analysis (SCiBridge)	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Bridge asset management	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 07	Site visit and WHS	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 08	Bridge asset management	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 08	Condition assessment methods (AS5100 Part 7)	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 09	Bridge structural rehabilitation	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 09	Climate Change & Sustainability	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 10	Bridge structural strengthening	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 10	Explore various SHM techniques	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 11	Cable-stayed & suspended bridges	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 11	Fibre optics for SHM & site visit	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 12	Bridge Bearings, Expansion Joints, and Safety Barriers	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 12	In class Presentations	Workshop (1.5 hr)
Week 13	Review	Lecture (1.5 hr)
Week 13	Review	Workshop (1.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are highly encouraged to engage actively in the workshops.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

- Bridge Deck Behaviour- Edmund C Hambly

- Bridge Engineering: classifications, design loading, and analysis methods

Book - Lin, Weiwei,, Yoda, Teruhiko,

AS 5100 – 2017 Bridge Design, Standards Australia - Parts 1-8

AS 3600:2018 : Concrete structures

Guide to bridge technology - Austroads 2005

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. 1. Understand principles of bridge design, asset management and maintenance practices
LO2. 2. Skills to develop a bridge concept design
LO3. 3. Design bridge structures for serviceability and limit states
LO4. 4. Understand the principles of bridge inspection, structural assessment, and non-destructive load testing
LO5. 5. Skills to develop a management plan for an existing bridge
LO6. 6. Understand the principles of structural assessment, and non-destructive bridge load testing

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This course introduces design methodologies for various types of bridges. It also provides an in-depth discussion of key technical strategies in the asset management of bridge infrastructure.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Students must adhere strictly to the safety regulations set by the University of Sydney when attending workshops on campus.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links