Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Civil Engineering School
Analysis of statically determinate structures. Section properties, principal axes and Mohr's circle, unsymmetrical bending, torsion of circular shafts. Shear stresses in solid and thin-walled sections. Stress-strain in 2D. Deflection in beams, double integration, virtual work method. Deflection in trusses and frame structures. Influence lines. Column buckling.
This course introduces students to some fundamental aspects of the mechanics of structures. The course content provides a basis on which advanced analysis and design skills are developed in later semesters. The course uses a lecture-tutorial teaching format (3L+2T per week). Attendance of these lectures and tutorials is essential for mastering the concepts and techniques that will be introduced throughout this course. An optional weekly contact hour is also scheduled to provide additional help to students.
Course requirements
Assumed background
(ENGG1400 or ENGG1700)ﾠand (MATH1051 or MATH1071) andﾠ(MATH1052 or MATH1072)
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
(ENGG1400 or ENGG1700) and (MATH1051 or MATH1071) and (MATH1052 or MATH1072)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to establish the concepts of structural mechanics and to introduce various analysis techniques.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Analytical: Competently use fundamental theory and analysis techniques to identify and solve problems in structural mechanics.
LO2.
Conceptual: Understand the concepts of stress and strain, analysis techniques including virtual work and energy methods, and aspects of bending, torsion, deflection and stability.
LO3.
Critical Thinking: Develop insight into the behaviour of structural elements under a range of load actions.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set | Assignment Series | 40% Best 8 out of 10 assignments will be taken. Their marks summed up and the total mark scaled up by a factor of 1.25 to furnish the total assignment mark. |
Assignment #1 6/03/2026 4:00 pm Assignment #2 13/03/2026 4:00 pm Assignment #3 20/03/2026 4:00 pm Assignment #4 27/03/2026 4:00 pm Assignment #5 2/04/2026 4:00 pm Assignment #6 17/04/2026 4:00 pm Assignment #7 1/05/2026 4:00 pm Assignment #8 8/05/2026 4:00 pm Assignment #9 15/05/2026 4:00 pm Assignment #10 22/05/2026 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final examination
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Assignment Series
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 40% Best 8 out of 10 assignments will be taken. Their marks summed up and the total mark scaled up by a factor of 1.25 to furnish the total assignment mark.
- Due date
Assignment #1 6/03/2026 4:00 pm
Assignment #2 13/03/2026 4:00 pm
Assignment #3 20/03/2026 4:00 pm
Assignment #4 27/03/2026 4:00 pm
Assignment #5 2/04/2026 4:00 pm
Assignment #6 17/04/2026 4:00 pm
Assignment #7 1/05/2026 4:00 pm
Assignment #8 8/05/2026 4:00 pm
Assignment #9 15/05/2026 4:00 pm
Assignment #10 22/05/2026 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Your mark will be determined from the best 8 out of the 10 Assignment submissions.
Assignment #1 is concerned with drawing the shear force and bending moment diagrams and the determination of bending stress in a transversely loaded beam.
Assignment #2 is concerned with the determination of bending stress in unsymmetrical bending of beams.
Assignment #3 is concerned with the determination of shear stress in a transversely loaded beam.
Assignment #4 is concerned with the determination of torsional stress and angle of twist in rods.
Assignment #5 is concerned with the determination of stress state of an element using Mohr's circle of stress.
Assignment #6 is concerned with the determination of deflections of a transversely loaded beam.
Assignment #7 is concerned with the determination of joint deflection of a plane truss by using the virtual work method.
Assignment #8 is concerned with the determination of deflection of transversely loaded beam by using the virtual work method.
Assignment #9 is concerned with the analysis of statically indeterminate structures.
Assignment #10 is concerned with the determination of influence line for statically determinate beams.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online via blackboard
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Because only the best 8 of 10 assignments will contribute to the mark for this assessment item and results/answers are released soon after the due date, no extensions are permitted.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Because the results are released soon after the due date, and only the best 8 of 10 assignments will contribute to the mark for this assessment item, a 100% penalty will be applied to late submission.
Final examination
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The CIVL2330 final exam will be a closed-book exam with no written materials permitted. Engineering drawing instruments are permitted in the exam.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Identity Verified Assessment is used in this course during the final exam.
Hurdle requirements
To receive a passing grade for the course, students must achieve a minimum grade of at least 3 in the end-of-semester examination (i.e. at least 27 marks out of the total of 60 marks for the final exam).Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Engineering drawing instruments are permitted in the exam. |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has substantial gaps in understanding, incomplete assignments and lack of engagement with course materials |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate only minimal relevant knowledge of the course or understanding of the key concepts. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying the basic requirements for a passing grade. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and a fair understanding of the key concepts |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and a good understanding of the key concepts. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are understood and the student has a comprehensive knowledge of the course. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are understood, the student has a comprehensive knowledge of the course and there is strong evidence of ability to critically analyse and ability to synthesise information from different aspects of the course. |
Additional course grading information
Final (total) marks will be rounded up to an integer value prior to applying hurdles or grade boundaries.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
To pass the supplementary examination, students must get at least 50% of the total marks for the supp exam.
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Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lecture Series Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Series Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
- Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: