2021 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Architecture and Building Engineering Graduate major in Architecture and Building Engineering
Structural Planning in Architecture
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Architecture and Building Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Toru Takeuchi
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Intensive
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- ARC.D443
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course for Japanese and international graduate students studying architectural design gives an outline of techniques for applying the newest Japanese structural engineering concerning spatial structures, seismic isolation structures, and vibration control structures to architectural design, ways of collaborating with structural engineers, the newest structural materials, designing joints, etc.
Students give presentations and participate in discussions on the relationship between architectural design and technology, reporting on a given topic.
From the position of an architectural designer, students acquire basic knowledge concerning structural engineering, and enhance their skills communicating and collaborating with structural engineers.
Course description and aims
The goal is for students to acquire the minimum skills needed for architectural designers to collaborate with structural engineers.
1) A fundamental sense of structural physics
2) Knowledge of structural materials and scales
3) Basic knowledge on spatial structures and response control techniques
Keywords
Structural Design
Structural materials and Connection Design
Design of Spatial Structures
Design of Seismic Isolation and Response Control
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Based on lectures, followed by presentations and discussions
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | What is structures for architectural design | Understand the positioning of the structure in the architectural design and its potential, history of structural engineers, and the methodology of cooperation |
| Class 2 | Materials and connection design | Understand structural materials and its properties, and how to evaluate the approximate member dimensions |
| Class 3 | Design of spatial structures 1: Truss and Grid-shell structures | Understand structural planning and the details of the truss and grid shell structures, and learn the characteristics of buckling |
| Class 4 | Design of spatial structures 2: Tension and cable structures | Understand structural planning and the details of the tension and cable structures, and learn the characteristics of geometric non-linearity |
| Class 5 | Design of seismically isolated structures | Understand structural planning and the details of the seismically isolated structures, and learn important points for architectural planning |
| Class 6 | Design of response controlled structures | Understand structural planning and the details of the response controlled structures, and learn important points for architectural planning |
| Class 7 | Presentation on Structural design (Group A); Based on the lectures, select masterpiece architectures, research on their structural system and deliver a presentation. | Understand the structural system and details of the masterpiece architectures through the presentation on structural design (Group A) |
| Class 8 | Presentation on Structural design (Group B); Based on the lectures, select masterpiece architectures, research on their structural system and deliver a presentation. | Understand the structural system and details of the masterpiece architectures through the presentation on structural design (Group B) |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Y.Tsuboi et al.: Mechanics, Materials and Structural Design, Kenchiku-gijyutu
M. Araya et al.: STRUCTURAL DESIGN MAP TOKYO, Sogo-shikaku
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Design of seismic isolation and response controlled structures -Basic structural design series, AIJ Kantoi (Japanese, Chinese)
T.Takeuchi, A.Wada: Buckling-Restrained Braces and Applications, JSSI (English)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Scores are give by attendance and presentation
Related courses
- ARC.A203 ： Building Construction and Detail
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge on architecture or structural design