Course detail

Building Structures 1

FAST-BHA054-AAcad. year: 2026/2027

The course is aimed at familiarizing students with basic terminology, requirements, and design solutions in the field of building construction. The course covers building typology, design activities, the legal and regulatory framework for construction, basic structural elements, and building systems. Emphasis is placed on understanding the requirements for building structures and their application in the design of vertical and horizontal load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures, including structures connecting different height levels. The aim is to prepare students for the independent design and assessment of structural systems in accordance with technical standards and regulations.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Jan Pěnčík, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Building Structures (PST)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Aims

Professional knowledge
  • Has knowledge of basic terminology, typology, and project activities in the field of building construction.
  • Is familiar with the legislative framework for construction (building law, decrees, ČSN) and technical requirements for buildings.
  • Understands the basic requirements for structures (mechanical resistance, stability, fire safety, health and environmental protection, sustainable use of resources).
  • Has an overview of structural elements and systems of building construction (wall, skeleton, combined).
  • Knows the principles of the creation and stability of structural systems and the influences acting on building structures.
  • Is familiar with the issues of individual types of load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures, including the details of their interconnection.
  • Knows the principles of designing horizontal structures (ceilings, vaults) and structures connecting different height levels (stairs, ramps, elevators).
Professional skills
  • Able to apply knowledge in the design of structural systems for buildings.
  • Ability to analyse and evaluate basic requirements for building structures in terms of safety, stability, and operational characteristics.
  • Able to design a suitable type of structural system regarding the function of the building, material properties, and legislative requirements.
  • Able to design and dimension individual structural elements (walls, ceilings, staircases) in accordance with standards.
  • Able to interpret and use technical standards, project documentation, and technical regulations in the design of building structures.
General competence
  • Is able to independently design and assess basic structural solutions for buildings in accordance with applicable legislation and technical standards.
  • Can work in a project team and effectively communicate designs and solutions to the professional public.
  • Is prepared to coordinate the design of individual structures within a comprehensive building design.
  • Can adapt to new technological and legislative changes in the field of construction.
  • Is able to continuously develop their knowledge and skills in the field of design and implementation of building structures.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Act No. 283/2021 Coll. Building Act, as amended and effective; Decree No. 131/2024 Coll. Decree on Construction Documentation, as amended and effective; Decree No. 146/2024 Coll. Decree on Construction Requirements, as amended and effective; ČSN and EN standards, as amended and effective (EN)

Recommended reading

ALLEN, E.; IANO, J. Fundamentals of Building Construction – Materials and Methods. 7th. John Wiley, 2019. ISBN 1119446198 (EN)
BLANC, S.; BLANC, A. Stairs, 2nd. Architectural Press, 2001, ISBN 978-0750648462 (EN)
DOMINICK, P. Elementary Structural Analysis and Design of Buildings: A Guide for Practicing Engineers and Students. 1st. Auerbach Pubn, 2019. ISBN 9780367028046 (EN)
HICKS, T. Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations. 3rd. McGraw Hill, 2016. ISBN 1259586855 (EN)
CHUDLEY, R.; GREENO, R.; KOVAC, K. Chudley and Greeno's Building Construction Handbook. 12th. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2020. ISBN 978036713543 (EN)
REID, E. Understanding Buildings. A Multidisciplinary Approach, 1st. 2016, ISBN 978-1-138-83691-4 (EN)
TRIPENY, P.; AMBROSE, J., Building Structures, 3rd. Wiley, 2011, ISBN 978-0470542606 (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPA-SIS Bachelor's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jan Pěnčík, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Introduction. Types of structures. Nomenclature and basic terminology of land structures. Project activities in construction. Methods of regulating and influencing construction – professional qualifications of workers, building law and regulations, Czech technical standards, technical requirements for structures, and modular coordination.
  2. Basic requirements for building structures (mechanical resistance and stability, fire safety, health protection, environmental protection, safety and accessibility during use, operation and maintenance, energy saving, sustainable use of natural resources). Influences on building structures.
  3. Structural elements. Requirements for the structural system of land structures. Stability and spatial rigidity of the structural system. Creation of a structural system. Types of structural systems (wall, skeleton, combined).
  4. Vertical load-bearing structures – Wall structural system.
  5. Vertical load-bearing structures – Skeleton structural system.
  6. Vertical non-load-bearing structures. Lintels over openings and solutions for lintels.
  7. Horizontal load-bearing structures – Vaults, monolithic ceiling structures.
  8. Horizontal load-bearing structures – Semi-prefabricated and prefabricated ceiling structures.
  9. Horizontal load-bearing structures – Wooden, steel and combined ceiling structures.
  10. Connection of horizontal load-bearing structures to vertical load-bearing structures. Stiffening rings.
  11. Overhanging and recessed structures – Balconies, loggias, galleries, bay windows, cornices, recessed floors, and terraces.
  12. Structures connecting different height levels – Stairs – General principles for the design and normative regulations concerning the design of stair spaces, dimensions of stair treads and stair stringers.
  13. Structures connecting different height levels – Stairs – Design of internal and external stairs. Types of stairs in wall and skeleton construction systems. Ladders, ramps, lifts, and escalators. Protective railings.

Exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jan Pěnčík, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Introduction to exercises. Standards used for drawing building components. Modifications to drawings and studies. Technical font. Dimensions and layout of drawing sheets. Scales. Lines on drawings of buildings.
  2. Drawing according to applicable standards – Marking materials in sections. Dimensioning. Marking references. Drawing fixtures. Marking floors and rooms.
  3. Drawing according to applicable standards – Basics of typology. Module coordination (horizontal/vertical).
  4. Drawing according to applicable standards – Drawing windows, doors and gates, cladding, chimney and ventilation ducts.
  5. Drawing according to applicable standards – Floor plan and sections of a building without a basement with a first floor and habitable attic.
  6. Drawing according to applicable standards – Individual assignment – floor plan of the first floor according to modular coordination and basics of typology.
  7. Horizontal load-bearing structures – design of a monolithic ceiling above the first floor for individual assignment. Details of the ceiling's placement on vertical load-bearing structures (internal and external).
  8. Horizontal load-bearing structures – design of a semi-prefabricated ceiling above the 1st floor for individual assignment. Details of the ceiling mounting on vertical load-bearing structures (internal and external).
  9. Horizontal load-bearing structures – design of a prefabricated ceiling above the 1st floor for individual assignment. Details of the ceiling mounting on vertical load-bearing structures (internal and external).
  10. Drawing according to applicable standards – Individual assignment – Section according to modular coordination.
  11. Staircase design (slab, stringer). Drawing according to applicable standards.
  12. Staircase design (spiral, mixed). Drawing according to applicable standards. Floor plan of staircases in a building with 1st to 3rd floors.
  13. Completion, credit.

Individual preparation for an ending of the course

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jan Pěnčík, Ph.D.

Self-study

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jan Pěnčík, Ph.D.