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Unit outline_

CIVL2201: Structural Mechanics

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The primary objective of this unit is to understand internal actions (forces and moments) in structures (deformable objects) under loads in three key areas: how structures resist external loads by internal actions; the distribution of internal actions within structures; and the deformations, stresses and strains associated with the internal actions. At the end of this unit, students should be able to understand the basic methods of load transfer in structures - tension, compression, bending, shear and torsion (internal actions); apply the equations of equilibrium to determine the distribution of internal actions in a simple structure by drawing BMDs, SFDs, AFDs, and TMDs; understand the significance and methods of calculation of the geometric properties of structural sections (I, Z, S, J, etc.); understand the effect of internal forces and deformations of bodies through the concept and calculation of strains and stresses; appreciate the behaviour of structures by analysing structures without numerical calculations; display a knowledge of basic material properties, combined stresses and failure criteria; and demonstrate their hands-on experience of the behaviour of structural members via experiments and the ability to prepare written reports on those experiments. Emphasis in the assessment scheme will be placed on understanding structural behaviour and solving problems, rather than remembering formulae or performing complex calculations. The course seeks to utilise and improve the generic skills of students, in areas such as problem solving, neat and logical setting out of solutions, report writing, and team work. The syllabus comprises introduction; equilibrium; internal actions: BMDs, SFDs, AFDs, and TMDs; elasticity, stress and strain, and basic material properties; axial forces: tension and compression; elastic bending of beams; shear force and shear stresses in beams; torsion; deflection of beams; pipes and pressure vessels; trusses; material properties, combined stresses and yield criteria; advanced bending; introduction to buckling and instability.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CIVL1802 OR AMME1802 OR ENGG1802
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AMME2301
Assumed knowledge
? 

From (CIVL1802 or AMME1802 or ENGG1802); students should be competent in the following areas. 1. The concept of force and momentum equilibrium in two and three dimensions. 2. Drawing free body diagrams. 3. Establishing and solving the equations of equilibrium from the FBD. 4. Setting out solutions logically; clearly and neatly. Students should be competent in certain mathematical skills. 1. Solving algebraic equations. 2. Differentiation and integration (including double integrals). 3. Drawing graphs of polynomials (especially) and other mathematical function. 4. Trigonometry

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tim Wilkinson, tim.wilkinson@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
On paper (in person) Partial open book
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Tutorial quiz Quiz 1
Formative (no marks)
0% Week 01 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Assignment 1
Equilibrium, BMDs, case study. Details discussed in class and in handout.
10% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2024 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Tutorial quiz Quiz 2
on paper, in person during tutorial
10% Week 05
Due date: 22 Mar 2024 at 00:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Lab report 1
Material properties. Discussed in class & handout.
5% Week 05
Due date: 24 Mar 2024 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Tutorial quiz Quiz 3
Formative (no marks)
0% Week 09 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Assignment 2
Internal actions, deformations, case study. Discussed in class & handout.
10% Week 10
Due date: 05 May 2024 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Tutorial quiz Quiz 4
On paper, in person, during tutorial
10% Week 12
Due date: 17 May 2024 at 00:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Lab report 2
Students work together in groups on this task, but submit individually.
15% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Refer to the “Structural Mechanics” canvas site, which will contain more specific information about the grading and requirements of assessment tasks, and the specific minimum requirements for passing the unit of study.

Assessment criteria

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

Separate handouts will be distributed outlining the standards expected to receive specific grades in assignments.  These will also provide guides to students to help them improve the quality of their work.  Specific examples or expectations of good answers are also discussed in lectures.

Criteria for Passing:  In order to achieve a pass in this unit of study, all the following criteria must be satisfied:

  • A total mark of at least 50 %.
  • Final examination mark of at least 45 %.  This hurdle percentage may be reduced by the lecturer based on exact nature of the questions in the exam.
  • Making a genuine submission for each of the 2 assignments and 2 lab reports.

There may be statistically and educationally defensible methods used when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with grade descriptors.

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. 

 
 

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:

The following late penalties apply to assignments and reports: • Normally assessment tasks require hard copy submission and will usually be due at the start of your tutorial session. A location for early or late submission will also be available. During current COVID situation, submission will be made online rather than in person. • Each day late is a 5% penalty. • Assessment tasks cannot be accepted (ie a mark of 0 will be awarded) after the earlier of (the return of marked assignments) or (the release of solutions and/or feedback) or (10 working days). It is anticipated the return/solutions date of the small assignments is 1 week, and lab reports 2 weeks.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3
Week 02 Internal actions Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO8
Week 03 Internal actions/stress and strain Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO8
Week 04 Stress and strain/axial force Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Elastic bending Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Elastic bending Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Elastic bending/shear Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 08 Torsion/deflections Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Deflections Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 10 Deflections/pipe and pressure vessels Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Trusses/material properties/combined stresses Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Combined stresses/yield criteria/buckling Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Advanced bending/review Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

How to Succeed in Structural Mechanics

 

The key outcome in Structural Mechanics is being able to understand the concepts.  Being able to perform calculations is an important task, but it is not the only task.  Being able to do calculations will help provide insight into the key issues and parameters, but understanding will also result from being able to visualise the problem and see the connection between the physical observations, theory, calculation methods, and practical situations.

 

In general, you will be expected to answer three types of questions:

Simple calculations:  You will be asked questions of similar nature to those covered in lectures or tutorials.  This is to ensure that you know the process for standard calculations.

Understanding & explanation:  You will be asked to explain (without calculations) the implications or issues behind a problem.  This will demonstrate that you understand the physical meaning of a problem.

Applied questions:  You will need to make use of the equations and processes you have learned, but the question will need to be considered from a different view.  You will not be able to copy a previous answer; you will need to think first before answering.  This will demonstrate that you are an engineer!

 

Weekly email update

Each week, enrolled students will receive an email update summarising the content of the week, and information on upcoming content and assignments.  It will contain suggestions on tutorial questions, assignments and quizzes.  Use this as an important part of your study program.  Message archives are on Canvas.

 

Lectures

  • Attend every lecture.
  • Be actively involved.  Read the lecture notes before the lecture.  Revise the notes after the lecture and attempt relevant questions as soon as possible afterwards.  Take notes – not just what is written on the board, but also what the lecturer emphasises verbally.

 

Tutorials & Problems

  • Attempt problem questions as soon as possible after the relevant lecture.  The first few easy questions will follow a very similar procedure from examples in the lecture notes.  Use these examples to reinforce the procedure.
  • Attend every tutorial.  Have several questions already attempted – if you have problems you will be able to ask your tutor.
  • Do not look at solutions before you have attempted questions.  This is counterproductive and does not enhance your problem solving ability.  In a real job and in the exam you will not have the solutions available.

 

Workload

  • Assign an average 9 - 10 hours each week.  There are 5 hours of lectures/tutorials each week, and you should also be prepared to do 4-5 hours a week on sample problems.

 

Quizzes

  • The quiz questions are predominately similar to the simpler tutorial questions.  Some past quizzes and solutions are online.  However rote learning of solutions to previous quizzes is not recommended.
  • Students who maintain a regular up to date, workload of tutorial questions during the semester should be adequately prepared for the quizzes.

 

Exam

  • The exam has a mix of simple questions, explanation questions and applied questions.
  • While the exam is open book, you should be suitably confident and competent to answer the simple questions without reference to the notes (i.e. you should just know “how” to draw a BMD).
  • Applied questions – think about what the question is asking you to do and how to go about solving it before you write
  • Prepare for the exam by doing past exams under exam conditions – i.e. lock yourself away in your room for 3 hours with no solutions, no coffee, and no SMS, chat or Facebook!
  • Rote learning of solutions to previous exams is not recommended.

 

Assignments

  • Do them as early as you can.  Do not leave them to the last minute.
 
 

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.

Required readings

Wilkinson Tim, Structural Mechanics: Lecture Notes (13th edition). University Printing Service, 2024.  This will be available as a PDF on canvas.

 
 

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. demonstrate hands-on proficiency in using experimental data
  • LO2. prepare written reports on experiments
  • LO3. understand the basic methods of load transfer in structures - tension, compression, bending, shear and torsion
  • LO4. apply the equations of equilibrium to determine the distribution of internal actions in a simple structure by drawing BMDs, SFDs, AFDs, and TMDs
  • LO5. understand the significance and calculate the geometric properties of structural sections (I, Z, S, J etc)
  • LO6. understand the effect of internal forces, and deformations of bodies through the concept and calculation of strains and stresses
  • LO7. appreciate the behaviour of structures by analysing structures without numerical calculations
  • LO8. display a knowledge of basic material properties, combined stresses and failure criteria.

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

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

Based on feedback from students, the online in semester quizzes will return to on paper format this year, which will provide better preparation for the exam, and allow for partial credit for working.

I hope that you enjoy this unit of study and you find it interesting, challenging and informative, and that this year is successful both academically and in any other endeavours that you undertake.

 

Tim Wilkinson

 
 

Additional costs

Nil

Site visit guidelines

Nil

Work, health and safety

We will provide some additional information for your lab sessions separately

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.