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Course profile

Structural Mechanics (CIVL2330)

Study period
Sem 1 2025
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
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+1T 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

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%

Assignment #1 14/03/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #2 21/03/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #3 28/03/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #4 4/04/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #5 11/04/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #6 17/04/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #7 2/05/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #8 9/05/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #9 16/05/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #10 23/05/2025 4:00 pm

Examination Final examination
  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
60%

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

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%
Due date

Assignment #1 14/03/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #2 21/03/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #3 28/03/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #4 4/04/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #5 11/04/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #6 17/04/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #7 2/05/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #8 9/05/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #9 16/05/2025 4:00 pm

Assignment #10 23/05/2025 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

Your mark will be determined from the best 9 out of the 10 Assignment submissions.

Assignment #1 is concerned with the determination of bending stress in a tranversely loaded beam.

Assignment #2 is concerned with the determination of bending stress and neutral axis in unsymmetrical bending of beams.

Assignment #3 is concerned with the determination of shear stress in a tranversely 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 application of iSA for structural analysis.

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.

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.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and 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.

Exemptions may be granted to students with extenuating circumstances.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Final examination

  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
60%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

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.

Only Casio FX82 series or UQ approved and labelled calculators are permitted in the final exam. Approved calculators can be found at myUQ (https://my.uq.edu.au/services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/sitting-exam/approved-calculators). Identity Verified Assessment is used on this course during the final 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) 55 - 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

To receive a passing grade for the course, students must achieve a minimum grade of at least 3 in the final exam (i.e. at least 27 marks out of the total of 60 marks).

Grade cutoffs and hurdles

Final 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.



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.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13
(24 Feb - 01 Jun)

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:

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: