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Unit outline_

CIVL6268: Structural Dynamics

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces the fundamental concepts and theory of dynamic analysis. In a first step, free vibrations are studied and the problem of determining the natural frequency of a system is addressed. This is followed by the study of harmonically excited vibrations. While initially systems with a single degree of freedom (SDOF) are considered, the theory is generalized to cover multi-degree of freedom systems. The theory is applied to explain how structures are designed against earthquake actions with specific reference to Parts 4 of the Australian loading standard AS1170 for determining earthquake loads. This unit will provide students with the following knowledge and skills: Understanding of the fundamental concepts and definitions used in structural dynamics; Ability to calculate the natural frequency of a system using equilibrium or energy methods; Ability to determine the effect of viscous damping on the response of a freely vibrating system; Ability to determine the response of a system to a harmonic excitation; Ability to apply AS1170 Part 4 in structural design against earthquake actions; Understanding of the fundamental concepts of earthquake engineering

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CIVL5268
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students are assumed to have a good knowledge of fundamental structural analysis, which is covered in the courses of Structural Mechanics, Introduction to Structural Concepts and Design, Structural Analysis, and Finite Element Analysis

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hao Zhang, hao.zhang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Hao Zhang, hao.zhang@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
final exam, open book, open notes
65% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Skills-based evaluation assignment 1
calculation
7% Week 03
Due date: 12 Aug 2024 at 18:00
3 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Skills-based evaluation assignment 2
calculation
7% Week 06
Due date: 02 Sep 2024 at 18:00
3 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Skills-based evaluation assignment 3
calculation
7% Week 09
Due date: 23 Sep 2024 at 18:00
2 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Skills-based evaluation assignment 4
calculation
7% Week 11
Due date: 14 Oct 2024 at 18:00
3 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Skills-based evaluation assignment 5
calculation
7% Week 13
Due date: 28 Oct 2024 at 18:00
2 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Homework: 35%; Final exam: 65%.

In addition to the normal 50 % total mark, the following criteria must be met to achieve a pass: Final examination mark of at least 40% (If a student does not achieve 40 or above in the final exam, the maximum mark he/she can obtain for this subject is 45).
 

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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:

Marks for assignments submitted after the due-date will be penalized 20% for each day late.

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 Differential equations of motion; free vibration. (2 hours lecture + 1 hour tutorial, same for all weeks) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 Response to harmonic loading and impulse loading Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Nonlinear and hysteretic damping Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Forced response of multi-degree freedom linear systems Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 05 Matrix methods for multi-degree freedom systems Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 06 Numerical evaluation of dynamic response Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Earthquake response of linear systems Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Modal analysis for linear systems Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Earthquake response and design of multistory buildings Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Earthquake analysis and design of inelastic buildings Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 12 Structural dynamics in Australian building code AS/NZ1170.4 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Design of Earthquake resistant buildings Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6

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. calculate the natural frequency of a system using equilibrium or energy methods
  • LO2. determine the effect of viscous damping on the response of a freely vibrating system
  • LO3. determine the response of a system to a harmonic excitation
  • LO4. apply AS1170 Part 4 in structural design against earthquake actions
  • LO5. demonstrate understanding of the fundamental concepts and definitions used in structural dynamics
  • LO6. demonstrate understanding of the fundamental concepts of earthquake 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

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

modified the learning activities

Disclaimer

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