Skip to main content
Unit outline_

CIVL2110: Materials

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Materials are an important part of the civil engineers' work. Indeed, civil engineers who are concerned with the design, construction, and maintenance of facilities need to understand the behaviour and performance of the materials used. And as it happens, mechanical properties- which are essential and basic for civil engineers- are highly dependent on the structure of materials at various scales. Therefore, it is important that a student in Civil Engineering possesses a fundamental knowledge in materials science. This unit of study aims to provide students with the tools necessary to select the adequate material for a particular application and to assess its mechanical behaviour while in use. This course will focus mainly on materials for civil engineering and construction applications, i. e. metals, concrete and soils.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AMME1362
Assumed knowledge
? 

ENGG1802 or CIVL1802

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Anna Paradowska, anna.paradowska@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Mani Khezri, mani.khezri@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Yutaka Tsumura, yutaka.tsumura@sydney.edu.au
Leonardo Crespo Parraga, leonardo.crespoparraga@sydney.edu.au
Md Nazmul Hasan, m.hasan@sydney.edu.au
Naveed Aziz Khan, nkha6211@sydney.edu.au
Yerong Huang, yerong.huang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam hurdle task Final exam
MCQ & extended response questions
35% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Quiz 1
Online quiz during tutorial
6.25% Week 06
Due date: 12 Apr 2021 at 00:00
40min
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO4
Online task Quiz 2
Online quiz during tutorial
6.25% Week 08
Due date: 26 Apr 2021 at 00:00
40min
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO4
Online task Quiz 3
Online quiz during tutorial
6.25% Week 10
Due date: 10 May 2021 at 00:00
40min
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO4
Online task Quiz 4
Online quiz during tutorial
6.25% Week 12
Due date: 24 May 2021 at 00:00
40min
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
Assignment Lab report
max 5 pages
10% Week 12
Due date: 30 May 2021 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Microscopy assessment
Online assessment
5% Week 12
Due date: 30 May 2021 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO6
Assignment Case study report
Written responses to case studies
25% Week 13
Due date: 06 Jun 2021 at 23:59
2 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Quiz: 4 quizzes of 40 min each during tutorial sessions, closed book. Only the three best marks for the quizzes will count towards the final mark.
  • Assignment: The individual assignment is composed of different problems to test the basic understanding of new concepts and the application of these concepts in engineering related problems.
  • Final exam: The exam tests students’ understanding of the relations between structure and mechanical properties.To pass this unit of study, students are required to obtain at least 45% at their final exam.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

No late penalties as in class assessment

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction to the course; 2-3. Atomic structure Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 02 1-3. Crystallography Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 03 1-3. Solidification and imperfections in solids Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 1-2. Diffusion; 3. Mechanical properties Online class (5 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 05 1-2. Mechanical properties; 3. Strengthening mechanisms Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 1. Strengthening mechanisms; 2-3. Fracture mechanics Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 1-3. Fatigue and creep Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 1-2. Phase diagram; 3. Material selection Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 1-3 Materials for construction: steel and aluminium alloys Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 1. Introduction to joining; 2. Welding; 3. Additive manufacturing Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 1-2 Corrosion; Introduction to concrete materials Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 1-3. Cement and concrete Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 1-3. Timber Online class (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4

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.

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.

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

  • LO1. design a presentation using powerpoint and write a lab report
  • LO2. select the correct material for an application and appreciate the repercussions of an incorrect selection
  • LO3. comprehend the relations between the structure of materials and their mechanical properties
  • LO4. apply basic materials concepts relative to materials structures
  • LO5. describe and utilise mechanical concepts such as stress, strain, elasticity, plasticity, fracture, fatigue and creep that will be used in other units of study in Civil Engineering.
  • LO6. become familiar with microscopy concepts related to materials engineering

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
3.1. An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
5.9. Skills in documenting results, analysing credibility of outcomes, critical reflection, developing robust conclusions, reporting outcomes.
LO2
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
2.1. Appropriate range and depth of learning in the technical domains comprising the field of practice informed by national and international benchmarks.
LO3
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
2.2. Application of enabling skills and knowledge to problem solution in these technical domains.
LO4
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
1.2. Tackling technically challenging problems from first principles.
LO5
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
2.1. Appropriate range and depth of learning in the technical domains comprising the field of practice informed by national and international benchmarks.
2.2. Application of enabling skills and knowledge to problem solution in these technical domains.
LO6
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
5.1. An appreciation of the scientific method, the need for rigour and a sound theoretical basis.

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

I created a new assessment to diversify the way the students are assessed and to give them the opportunity to give some independent learning.

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.