Course coordinator
Associate Professor Matthew Mason
Email to organise meeting time if required to meet outside of allocated lecture, tutorial or laboratory times.
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
Wind is ubiquitous in our daily lives. It loads the structures we live and work in, it transports pollutants through the atmosphere, and increasingly is becoming a dependable source of renewable energy. This course details the multi-faceted nature of wind in modern society and provides students with the tools to assess wind and its interactions with the built environment. The course will broadly cover: wind climate and resource assessment, environmental wind engineering, and structural wind engineering. Specifically, it will cover topics including; wind measurement techniques, statistical analysis of wind records, atmospheric boundary layer meteorology and models, turbulence, wind flow around and through buildings, wind loads on structures, wind-induced vibration and experimental and numerical wind modelling techniques.
This course details the multi-faceted nature of wind in modern society and provides students with the tools to assess wind and its interactions with the built environment. The course is broken into three main learning 'blocks', outlined below with specific topics also listed.ﾠ
- Wind climate analysis
- Application of extreme value analysis to wind records
- Sub-sample analysis (e.g. separation of storm types, directional analysis)
- Wind resource assessment
- The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL)
- General ABL concepts and wind structure
- ABL near non-homogeneous terrain
- Turbulence within the ABL
- Non-neutralﾠABL characteristics (e.g. thunderstorm outflow)
- Structural wind engineering.ﾠ
- Wind tunnel testing
- Bluff body aerodynamics
- Wind-induced structural dynamics (random vibration)
Throughout all these topics will be discussion and examples of how each is dealt with in the Australian wind loading standard, AS/NZS1170.2. Students will undertake their own wind tunnel tests to explore how an appropriate boundary layer is developed and then investigate wind loading of a simple structure. The course will also include guest lectures from an industry-based wind engineer and structural engineer so the student can gain perspective on how wind engineering fits within the broader engineering profession.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is assumed that students will be familiar with the broad concepts of wind flow, wind loading of structures and the use of engineering design standards.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CIVL2530 or STAT2201
Course contact
Lecturer
Associate Professor Matthew Mason
Email to organise meeting time if required to meet outside of allocated lecture, tutorial or laboratory times.
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aims for this course are:
- Introduce students to the main concepts of modern wind engineering.
- Understand how to use wind records to determine appropriate design wind speeds andﾠavailability of wind energy.
- Introduce students to atmospheric boundary layer theory (as it pertains to winds) and its models.
- Introduce students to wind measurement and analysis.
- Undertake wind tunnel experimentation and analysis.
- Introduce students to structural dynamics as it relates to wind engineering.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe modern wind measurement techniques (including their advantages and disadvantages)
LO2.
Source, process and analyse a range of wind records
LO3.
Explain atmospheric boundary layer theories and implement models describing it and its interaction with terrain and topography
LO4.
Determine the wind loads on a range of different structures based on standards or wind tunnel results
LO5.
Calculate the dynamic response of simple structures to wind loads
LO6.
Undertake and analyse a wind tunnel experiment
LO7.
Work in a team to analyse and report wind tunnel test data
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation | Assignment 1 | 15% |
19/03/2025 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assignment 2 | 20% |
11/04/2025 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Assignment 3 (Group)
|
30% |
23/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final exam
|
35% |
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 1
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
19/03/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
Students are required to analyse and visualise large sets of wind data.
This is an individual assignment that involves a written/visual submission and a short presentation.
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
Electronic submission via Blackboard and presentation in tutorial class.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assignment 2
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
11/04/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Students are required to analyse historic wind records and generate extreme value statistics.
This is an individual assignment.
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
Assessment must be submitted through the course BlackBoard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assignment 3 (Group)
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
23/05/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L06, L07
Task description
Students will analyse wind tunnel experiment data and compare their results with those obtained from theory or design standards.
This is a group assignment and a peer-assessment summarising the contribution from each team member is required with each submission.
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
Assessment must be submitted through the course BlackBoard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05
Task description
The exam will consist primarily of short answer/calculation questions with some multiple choice questions as well.
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.
Hurdle requirements
A student must obtain a minimum of 40% in the final exam to obtain a grade of 4.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 | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
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: No assignment submissions made or exams attended. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grades will be assigned based on the weighted sum of all assignment and exam marks. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Grades will be assigned based on the weighted sum of all assignment and exam marks. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grades will be assigned based on the weighted sum of all assignment and exam marks. To pass this course (i.e. receive a grade of 4 or higher) a student must obtain a minimum of 40% in the final exam to obtain a grade of 4. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grades will be assigned based on the weighted sum of all assignment and exam marks. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grades will be assigned based on the weighted sum of all assignment and exam marks. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grades will be assigned based on the weighted sum of all assignment and exam marks. |
Additional course grading information
Grade cutoffs and hurdles
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.
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.
Own copy required
You'll need to have your own copy of the following reading resources. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Document |
AS/NZS 1170.2:2021 : Structural design actions - Wind actions
Publisher: Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand |
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 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial sessions Tutorial sessions will be a mix of problem solving, example problems, demonstrations, time to discuss/work on assignments and course review. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introductory lectures These lectures will introduce the course, wind engineering as a discipline and the range of wind events of importance to civil engineering. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 3 |
Lecture |
Wind measurement/analysis lectures Lectures will cover wind measurement instrumentation and techniques as well as statistical methods for analysing wind records. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Multiple weeks From Week 3 To Week 5 |
Lecture |
Atmospheric boundary layer lectures Conceptual, theoretical and engineering models of the atmospheric boundary layer will be introduced. Issues around turbulence, spectral analysis and boundary layer modification will be addressed. Learning outcomes: L03 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Wind tunnel testing and scaling Theory and practice of wind tunnel testing Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Practical |
Wind tunnel experiment 1 Students will be required to run wind tunnel experiments and then analyse the results. Learning outcomes: L06 |
Lecture |
Review of wind loading Standards Review of wind loading Standards used in Australia Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 8 To Week 12 |
Lecture |
Structural wind engineering lectures Building aerodynamics, vibration and wind tunnel testing will be discussed. Issues around codification of these factors will also be discussed. Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Practical |
Wind tunnel experiment 2 Students will be required to run wind tunnel experiments and then analyse the results. Learning outcomes: L06, L07 |
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 - Students 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: