MODULE DETAILS

Structural Mechanics DMESME603

Nominal duration: 36 hours total time commitment

This time commitment includes the structured activities, preparation reading, and attendance at each webinar, completing exercises, practical assessments and proctored assessments.

It is also expected that students spend additional time on readings, personal study, independent research and learning, practicing on remote labs and required software and working on any projects and assignments.

This module covers the basic purpose, principles and concepts of structural engineering; the basics of structural analysis and structural design; basic ‘project language’ (which is a combination of design and specification); and the fundamental working concepts associated with behaviour of structural members under load.

MODULE PURPOSE

The purpose of the module is for participants to develop knowledge of more advanced structural engineering challenges by working with fundamental concepts.

MODIFICATION HISTORY

Original module approved in 2010 (52243); 2013 (52606WA); 2016 (52810WA).  This version: V4.0

PREREQUISITE AND/OR CO‑REQUISITE MODULES

Modules and units that must be delivered and assessed before this module:

Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering DMEFME601

Modules that must be delivered concurrently with this module:

None

SUMMARY OF LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1.    Explain the basic principles of strength of materials

2.    Identify and explain the basic concepts of structural analysis

3.    Predict the deformation of structural members under load using the concepts of working stress design and limit state design

LEARNING OUTCOMES

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Learning outcomes specify what students will be able to do as a result of the learning.

Assessment criteria provide the criteria by which achievement of the learning outcomes will be judged.

1

Explain the basic principles of strength of materials

1.1

Identify and compare the effects of tension and compression

1.2

Analyse the difference between stress and strain

1.3

Explain stress-strain characteristics

1.4

Outline the theory of elasticity

1.5

Calculate the properties of common cross-sections

1.6

Distinguish between deflection and deformation

2

Identify and explain the basic concepts of structural analysis

2.1

Distinguish between determinate and indeterminate structures

2.2

Determine stresses in elastic solids using stress functions

2.3

Apply the basic procedures for the analysis of:
(a) Statically determinate structures
(b) Statically indeterminate structures
(c) Deformation under loading

3

Predict the deformation of structural members under load using the concepts of working stress design and limit state design

3.1

Predict the behaviour of structural members under loading

3.2

Outline the fundamentals of:

(a) Working stress design
(b) Limit state design
(c) Loads

DELIVERY MODE

Online and/or face-to-face

SPECIALISED RESOURCES

N/A

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, structured assessments, samples and questioning. This will include short answer questions on the knowledge content, the use of remote and virtual labs, and writing tasks to apply the learning to academic tasks.

CONDITIONS OF ASSESSMENT

Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this module. The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required.

The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Assessments will be open book assessment and may be completed off-campus. Invigilation software will be used for some assessments to ensure authenticity of work completed.

Model answers must be provided for all knowledge-based assessments to ensure reliability of assessment judgements when marking is undertaken by different assessors.