12/20/23, 2:04 AM Membership Exam Changes 2024 - The Institution of Structural Engineers

Membership Exam Changes 2024

Key overview of the sustainability changes being introduced into the exams from January 2024.

As part of the Institution’s recent review of our assessment criteria for the Professional Review, including the IPD changes, this page
sets out the upcoming changes to the examination. With our ongoing commitment to advancing the profession of structural
engineering and responding to the climate emergency, the examinations will be changing to challenge our members to design more
sustainable structures. An overview of each section of the exam is provided below, including how marks are being reallocated in
Sections 2c and 2e.

Fully updated guidance documents are available to download and should be used by all candidates as an aid to preparation. These
documents are regularly updated, so please check periodically to ensure you have the latest version.

Section 1a – 40 marks

Sustainability will be embedded as a fundamental part of the examination. As such, both schemes should include commentary on
how sustainability has been considered in their design. To achieve this, candidates are expected to demonstrate knowledge of carbon
minimisation including the hierarchy of carbon reduction approaches (see Figure 1).

In Section 1a, candidates should demonstrate approaches in their designs which prioritise the minimal use of material, with a focus
on building less and building clever approaches. Candidates are not expected to balance material volumes and carbon intensity to
select a preferred material type. The specification of lower carbon materials on schemes with excess material use will not be
considered to achieve the sustainability requirement.

As part of the sustainability updates, reuse of existing structural elements will be introduced into the examination over time. This will
be implemented gradually to reflect ongoing progress within the industry. Therefore, initially, only some questions may include the
opportunity to reuse structural elements. Where a reuse opportunity is provided in the question it is expected that candidates will take
advantage of this in their schemes and include the benefits in identifying the most suitable solution. The same number of marks is
available for questions which do and do not include aspects of reuse.

Upfront, embodied carbon minimisation (through minimal material use) should be explicitly included in the decision-making process
as a key criterion to select the more appropriate structural design.

Section 1b – 10 marks

This part of the question now enables candidates to demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate the brief and suggest changes to
reduce material usage whilst maintaining required outcomes, and to communicate the implications of this to the client. The
communication style no longer needs to be a formal letter, but must constitute a professional communication, e.g., in the form of an
email.

This section asks candidates to suggest ways in which the client brief could be altered to reduce material usage and consequently
reduce upfront carbon emissions. The question will make clear which parts of the brief provide opportunity for change and which do
not. Candidates should ensure that they stay within these boundaries with their proposals. The focus is on material reduction and as
such the specification of lower carbon materials is not a suitable response.

Candidates are expected to communicate the impacts of the changes in terms which the client can understand. This should include
both the environmental benefits and other potential benefits (such as cost and programme) as well as the negative implications.
Whilst clarity is important, the examiner will focus more on candidates’ grasp of the technical issues than on the quality of their written
English. Candidates may reference sketches if they wish.

Section 2c – 22 marks (previously 20 marks)

This section now requires candidates to include basic A1-A3 carbon calculations while still providing sufficient design calculations to
establish the form and size of all the principal structural elements including the foundations.

Candidates should use their calculations to demonstrate that the elements in their design use material efficiently, in line with the ‘build
efficiently’ step of the carbon reduction hierarchy.

Candidates will be required to include calculations for the A1-A3 carbon footprint of the key elements. This should be carried out
using a straightforward calculation of the element volume multiplied by the embodied carbon factor (ECF) of the material. Candidates
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12/20/23, 2:04 AM Membership Exam Changes 2024 - The Institution of Structural Engineers
can refer to the Institution’s How to Calculate Embodied Carbon document for suitable methodology and ECF values. Industry
average ECF values are recommended, but other suitable values can be used. Candidates are encouraged to take advantage of the
Institution’s free on-line embodied carbon basics course in preparation.

This section of the exam is awarded 2 extra marks to give allowance for extra time to incorporate the additional carbon calculation
requirements.

Section 2d – 20 marks

No changes have been made to this section and candidates are still required to prepare appropriate drawings and critical details for
estimating purposes.

Section 2e – 8 marks (previously 10 marks)

Candidates will no longer be required to produce a construction programme in this section. However, they must still demonstrate a
degree of practical knowledge of construction methodology.

The method statement must include all activities required to build the proposed structure, including addressing health and safety
issues, and should reflect the proposed scheme design. The statement should be kept brief with simple descriptions of each activity.

Figure 1 - 'Hierarchy of carbon reduction approaches’ - adapted from PAS2080

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 Example for New 2024 Changes
from ISE
Exam Paper Q2 2023

*always use reuse options, when possible

 Chartered Membership Examination | 7

Q2. Office Building

Original Exam Paper Q2 2023

Client’s requirements
1. An 8-storey office block is to be constructed. See Figure Q2.
2. All elevations are to be glazed. No bracing is permitted in glazed facades
3. Minimum column spacing is 6m. Only 2 internal columns are permitted at ground floor level. No columns are permitted outside the
perimeter of the building
4. The first floor is to be 5m above the ground floor level. Other floors are to have a 3.5m floor to floor height.
5. On the 8th floor the façade is to be set back 2m from the lower floors. See Figure Q2.

Imposed loading
6. Roof 4 KN/m2
7. Floors 10 kN/m2VUNYV\UKÅVVYHUKR5TVUV[OLYÅVVYZ

Site conditions
8. The site is in the centre of a large city. Basic wind speed is 40.0m/s based on a 3 second gust; the equivalent mean hourly wind speed
is 20.0m/s.
9. The ground conditions are as follows:
Ground level – 5m Heavily contaminated made ground N=2
-5m –to -10m Firm clay C=50kN/m2
Below -10m Mudstone C= 150 kN/m2
No water was discovered.

Omit from consideration

10. Design of the lifts/elevators and stairs.

SECTION 1 (50 marks)

a) Prepare a design appraisal with appropriate sketches indicating two distinct and viable solutions for the proposed structure including
the foundations. Indicate clearly the functional framing, load transfer, serviceability, and stability aspects of each scheme. Review
and critically appraise the schemes, and identify the solution you recommend, giving reasons for your choice.
(40 marks)

b) After the scheme is complete, the client advises you that they wish to add an additional storey. Write a letter to the client explaining the
implications on your design and the construction.
(10 marks)

SECTION 2 (50 marks)

For the solution recommended in Section 1(a):

c) Prepare sufficient design calculations to establish the form and size of all the principal structural elements including the foundations.
(20 marks)

d) Prepare general arrangement drawings, which may include plans, sections and elevations to show the dimensions, layout and
disposition of the structural elements and critical details for estimating purposes.
(20 marks)

e) Prepare a detailed method statement for the safe construction of the works and an outline construction programme to include
consideration of any temporary works that may be required
(10 marks)
6 | Chartered Membership Examination

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Brief can be changed
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