STRCTENG 200 : Introductory Structural Mechanics
Engineering
2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course, together with STRUCTENG 201 form the core Part 2 structural engineering content of the BE(Hons) (Civil) and BE(Hons) (Structural) programme. Principles of equilibrium and elasticity are applied to structures and components in order to determine internal forces (actions) and deformations. The techniques of structural analysis that are developed are an essential tool in the design process.
The course consists of lectures, a weekly clinic/tutorial and a project. In addition you will be expected to learn from additional reading, problem solving (vital) and other work outside formal contact hours. The course is well supported by the recommended texts which also provide a good source of additional problems. There will be regular worksheets with problems for self-instruction and testing your understanding.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
Learning Outcomes
- Apply equilibrium principles to analyse the internal and external forces of statically determinate structures such as, beams, simple frames, truss and retaining walls. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
- Apply free body diagram concepts to determine internal actions – axial force, shear force bending moment and torque. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
- Understand basic structural engineering lexicon, and effectively communicate engineering designs through reading drawings, producing sketches, and calculation packages. (Capability 6.1)
- Apply load collation and load path concepts to derive idealised design loading for different structural elements and structural systems. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1)
- Understand and explain the origins of key concepts within the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD), such as strength and serviceability limit states, nominal loads and strength, load factors, strength reduction factors, design loads and reliable strength. And hence apply LRFD to assess the safety of simple statically determinate structures. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
- Evaluate various plane section constants (e.g. A, I, Q...) from first principles or with the help of established theorems such as parallel axis and perpendicular axis theorem. Furthermore, appraise the efficiency of cross-section shape selection as structural element based on engineering beam theory. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
- Evaluate and apply Mohr circle techniques to solve stress transformation problems and evaluate principal stress and strain values. Apply appropriate failure theories to evaluate the safety of simple structural elements. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
- Evaluate, apply and derive on key engineering beam theory relationships from a first principle standpoint. Evaluate flexural stress distribution, elastic deformation for simple bending and combine bending problems. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
- Understand and apply beam shear theory to evaluate shear stress distribution and shear flow for open and closed thin-walled sections. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
- Understand and apply moment-curvature relationships (and by extension moment-area method) to evaluate the bending deflections of simple determinate structures. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Homeworks | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Quizzes | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Tests | 20% | Individual Test |
| MDLS Labs | 10% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| Tutorial Quizzes | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| 6 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Homeworks | ||||||||||
| Quizzes | ||||||||||
| Tests | ||||||||||
| MDLS Labs | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
| Tutorial Quizzes | ||||||||||
Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, 1 hour of tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation, on average per week.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs and tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars/worked examples will be available as recordings.
The course may include live online events including group discussions/tutorials/office hours.
Attendance on campus is required for the test.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Health & Safety
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Based on student feedback the number of homeworks and quizzes have been reduced such that students have a more manageable workload throughout the semester with their other courses.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.