School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment
Western Sydney University acknowledges the peoples of the Darug, Dharawal, Eora and Wiradjuri nations. We also acknowledge that the teaching and learning currently delivered across our campuses is a continuance of the teaching and learning that has occurred on these lands for tens of thousands of years.
Subject Details
Subject Code: CIVL3016
Subject Name: Building Superstructure
Credit Points: 10
Subject Level: 3
Assumed Knowledge: Basic knowledge of building construction both residential and non-residential.
Note: Students with any problems, concerns or doubts should discuss those with the Subject Coordinator as early as they can.
Subject Coordinator
Name: Dr Brendan Kirkland
Phone: (02) 4736 0585
Location: Penrith (Kingswood) Campus, Building Y3.12
Email: B.Kirkland@westernsydney.edu.au
Consultation Arrangement: Face-to-face and zoom consultations can be arranged via email. Q&A time will also be provided in the scheduled workshop. For queries related to subject content, please first contact your allocated tutor using the emails below.
Teaching Team
Name: Christophe Camille
Email: C.Camille@westernsydney.edu.au
Consultation Arrangement: Consultation available during tutorial or via email only
Name: Mohammad Yousuf
Email: m.yousuf@westernsydney.edu.au
Consultation Arrangement: Consultation available during tutorial or via email only
Name: Tharika Kahandawa Arachchi
Email: t.karachchi@westernsydney.edu.au
Consultation Arrangement: Consultation available during tutorial or via email only
Name: Aderemi Aderogba
Email: a.aderogba@westernsydney.edu.au
Consultation Arrangement: Consultation available during tutorial or via email only
Administrative Support
Name: Student Services Hub
Email: edbe@westernsydney.edu.au
Consultation Arrangement: Contact via email for administrative support only
Copyright Notice
Edition: Autumn 2025
Copyright 2025 University Western Sydney trading as Western Sydney University ABN 53 014 069 881 CRICOS Provider No: 00917K
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission from the Dean of the School. Copyright for acknowledged materials reproduced herein is retained by the copyright holder. All readings in this publication are copied under licence in accordance with Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968.
1. About Building Superstructure
1.1 An Introduction to this Subject
The aim of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of the factors that contribute to the design and construction of a building superstructure. Students will be introduced to relevant Australian Standards for common construction materials and practices. The subject content will also develop the ability of construction students to communicate professionally with other building professionals including structural engineers. Emphasis will be given to the strength, behaviour and failure of structural members, connections and frames.
1.2 What is Expected of You
Study Load: A student is expected to study an hour per credit point a week. For example a 10 credit point subject would require 10 hours of study per week. This time includes the time spent within classes during lectures, tutorials or practicals.
Note for Summer Terms: As Summer subjects deliver the same content and classes over a shorter period of time, the subjects are run in a more intensive mode. Regardless of the delivery mode, the study hours for each subject in Summer will be around 30 hours.
Attendance: Tutorial attendance is highly encouraged. Tutorial discussions and activities are crucial to the successful completion of the assessments.
Approach to Learning:
Learning materials are asynchronous – i.e. there is no scheduled lecture. Students should review the specified learning module each week. Each weekly module in vUWS contains a combination of an online learning module, specified additional readings, short videos, and other activities.
An optional weekly online workshop will be offered to provide a brief summary of the weekly content, provide relevant subject updates, plus provide the ability for students to ask questions related to the subject overall. The initial part of the workshop relevant to all students will be recorded and posted after the session for those unable to attend.
The tutorials will focus on active learning, primarily containing activities to increase knowledge of structures using site examples, ability to read structural drawings, and to aid interpretation of relevant codes and standards. Attendance at tutorials is crucial to understanding the subject content, adequately discussing structural elements in the report, and to successfully completing the subject. Tutorials will not be recorded.
There will be 2 face-to-face practicals throughout the semester to give students a hands-on appreciation of the 2 most common building materials: concrete and steel. Prac content will be incorporated into the quizzes.
Online Learning Requirements:
Subject materials will be made available on the subjects vUWS (E-Learning) site. You are expected to consult vUWS at least twice a week, as all subject announcements will be made via vUWS. Teaching and learning materials will be regularly updated and posted online by the teaching team.
Special Requirements:
Essential Equipment: Not Applicable
Legislative Pre-Requisites: This subject involves extensive practical exercises. In order to undertake the practicals, each student must have the appropriate PPE (Personal Protection Equipment):
- Laboratory coat
- Safety glasses
- Safety shoes (steel capped)
1.3 Changes to Subject as a Result of Past Student Feedback
The University values student feedback in order to improve the quality of its educational programs. The feedback provided helps us improve teaching methods and subjects of study. The survey subjects results inform subject content and design, Subject Outlines, teaching methods, assessment processes and teaching materials.
You are welcome to provide feedback that is related to the teaching of this subject. At the end of the semester you will be given the opportunity to complete a Student Feedback on Subject questionnaire to assess the subject. If requested by your subject coordinator, you may also have the opportunity to complete a Student Feedback on Teaching (SFT) questionnaire to provide feedback for individual teaching staff.
As a result of student feedback, the following changes and improvements to this Subject have recently been made:
- Modified assessment weightings – including removal of final exam
- Modified report requirements
- More case studies added
- Structure of the practicals changed to reduce the number of sessions from 3 to 2
