Unit Outline

This unit provides students with a comprehensive understanding of structural mechanics and structural analysis. Drawing on fundamental knowledge of equilibrium and the behaviour of structural materials and elements under simple loading conditions, students will learn in detail principles of internal forces, stress-strain relationships, deflections, and failure criteria, extending these to analysis of statically indeterminate frames. Integrating hand calculations with the use of structural frame analysis software, students will develop skills in structural design for strength, serviceability, and stability, forming the analytical foundation for structural design and sustainable infrastructure.

Students will also explore the climate resilience of structures, considering life cycle costs, material sustainability, and long-term environmental impacts. Practical applications will reinforce key design methodologies and compliance with Australian Standards (AS 1170), ensuring students develop the structural analysis expertise required for advanced civil engineering coursework and professional practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Apply the concepts of stress, strain and internal forces to evaluate the strength and deflections of structural elements.
2	Model and analyse the mechanical behaviour of statically indeterminate frame structures using both hand calculations and software.
3	Design frame structures that can withstand various loading conditions to ensure strength, serviceability and elastic stability criteria are met.
4	Discuss the the implications of climate change over the design life of a structure on structural design.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	ENG106 Civil Engineering Foundations KMA154

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This unit has not run previously.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Class Presentation	Week 8	25 %	LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Design Assignment	Week 11	35 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Examination	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Class Presentation

Task Description:

You will independently research a topic addressing a question related to ILO4. Topics may be assigned from a list provided, or negotiated with the unit coordinator. Specific topics might address only one aspect of the broader problem, but you are expected to provide context around how that aspect relates to the ILO and specifically addresses the assessment criteria. You will use UTAS’s library databases to find recent peer-reviewed literature on the topic and deliver a presentation to class on your findings. Research skills learnt in this task will commence a foundation for the final year capstone project units. If ILO 4 is not met in this assignment a second presentation may be permitted with capped marks. Use of Generative AI is permitted in conducting the research for this task provided it is acknowledged and a clear statement of how it was used is included, but the presentation must be delivered without notes other than presentation slides.

Task Length:

5 minutes

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain climate change impacts on structural design.	LO4
2	Explain how your topic is relevant to adaptation of structures for climate resilience.	LO4
3	Use evidence-based research.	LO4
4	Build a conclusion through a logical sequence of ideas.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Design Assignment

Task Description:

In this assignment, students will design a small frame structure using loads obtained from AS 1170 to meet strength, serviceability and elastic stability criteria. It should be presented as a computations file. This project introduces students to the use of relevant standards and software to determine structural design actions. Students can draw on skills learnt in tutorials to inform their small frame design. This assignment develops students’ design and simulation capabilities which provides a foundation for later structural design units. Feedback will be provided in class. If ILO 3 is not met in this assignment a resubmission will be permitted with capped marks. Use of Generative AI is not permitted in this task.

Task Length:

Maximum 20 pages including appendices

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Model simple frames using structural frame analysis software	LO2
2	Use AS1100 to determine permanent, imposed and wind loads on a structure and load combinations for design	LO3
3	Interpret computer model outputs to define 'design actions' in 3D frames under combination load cases relevant to strength, serviceability and stability	LO3
4	Optimise a structure’s arrangement to meet multiple simultaneous structural performance criteria	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Examination

Task Description:

This closed book examination ensures that on completion of the unit students will have developed a high level of fluency in hand structural analysis. Students will demonstrate their ability to calculate area properties and stresses, apply the force and slope-deflection methods, and draw internal force diagrams. Students will draw on their tutorials and design assignment to succeed in this assessment. The skills assessed in the exam are used in later structural design units for setting up, validating and interpreting computer models.

Task Length:

3 hours.

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Calculate area properties used in structural analysis for symmetric and asymmetric cross-sections	LO1
2	Calculate stresses in beams due to bi-axial bending	LO1
3	Apply the force method to statically indeterminate frames	LO2
4	Apply the slope-deflection method to statically indeterminate frames	LO2
5	Draw internal force diagrams for statically indeterminate frames	LO2
6	Draw bending moment, shear force and axial force diagrams for statically determinate frames	LO1
7	Use energy methods to calculate deflections in 2D frame	LO1

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Specifically, to demonstrate attainment of the ILOs, you must achieve

an average of 40% on exam questions aligned to ILO 1.

an average of 40% on exam questions aligned to ILO 2

a mark of 50% on the design assignment to pass ILO 3.

a mark of 50% on the class presentation to pass ILO 4

Tutorials are formative tasks that explicitly prepare you for these exam questions, but these are not marked do not contribute dirctly to meeting the ILOs. Any opportunities granted for supplementary assessment if you do not meet an ILO will be strictly in accordance with the UTAS Assessment and Results Procedure.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Australian Standards, including AS 1170 "Structural Design Actions" (Available via the UTAS library)