CIVILENG 1004 - Engineering Mechanics -Statics

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course familiarises students with the principles of static equilibrium by applying Newton's laws of motion to solve engineering problems. This course is usually taken as a core component in various engineering programs but may also be suitable as an elective in other engineering programs. The course content is delivered with pre-recorded videos, which are reinforced in problem solving workshops. Success in the course is assessed with regular online assessments during semester and a final examination at the end of the course. Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding of the engineering problems and concepts through drawing free body diagrams and self-checking strategies. This course is foundational in the development of key engineering competencies of knowledge and skill base for future practice, in many disciplines, as a professional engineer.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CIVILENG 1004
    Course Engineering Mechanics -Statics
    Coordinating Unit Civil Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week (Semester 1); Up to 8 hours (Summer Semester) per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible TECH 1006
    Assumed Knowledge SACE Stage 2 Physics
    Assessment Exam & assignments
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Terry Bennett

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Define Newton's laws of motion.
    2 Recall trigonometric laws and apply to the addition and decomposition of vectors quantities.
    3 Identify the moment of a force and calculate its value about a specified axis. Define the moment of a couple.
    4 Describe the concept of dry friction and analyse the equilibrium of rigid bodies subjected to this force.
    5 Construct "Free Body Diagrams" of real world problems and apply Newton's Laws of motion and vector operations to evaluate equilibrium of particles and bodies.
    6 Apply the principles of equilibrium of particles and bodies to analyse the forces in planar truss members.
    7 Discuss the concepts of ``centre of gravity'' and ``centroids'' and compute their location for bodies of arbitrary shape.
    8 Apply the concepts used for determining centre of gravity and centroids to find the resultant of a generally distributed loading.
    9 Use methods learnt for equilibrium of bodies and the resultant of a generally distributed loading to compute the internal forces in beams. Generalise the procedure to construct bending moments and shear force diagrams (internal forces) and utilise this information in engineering design.

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):  
     
    1.11.21.31.41.51.62.12.22.32.43.13.23.33.43.53.6
    C A B A A
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-9

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    4,5,6,8,9

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    .

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    9

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    .

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    .

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    .
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    A full set of course notes are available in pdf format in MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    The following text book is recommended to assist your learning with this course:

    Hibbeler, R. C. (2017). Engineering Mechanics Statics, 14th Edition in SI units, Pearson. http://www.pearson.com.au/9781292089232

    Additionally, the following is text is a useful supplementary resource to the course content in MyUni.

    Meriam, J. L. & Kraige, L. G. (2013). Engineering Mechanics Statics, 7th Edition, Wiley. http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-EHEP002436.html

    Both the above texts contain many worked examples and tutorial questions that are available to use as additional practice exercises.

    In addition to textbooks, there is a substantial volume of resources available on the internet that students can tap into.

    Online Learning
    Formative (practice questions) and summative (marked) assessments will be delivered in MyUni. All resources (PowerPoint slides, lecture recordings, assignments, etc.) will be available on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Formal Contact Hours
    The formal learning activities are a combination of lecture and tutorial style formats.  For example, new material will be presented and supported by problem solving exercises (formative assessment) to be completed by students.  Students will benefit from participation in the interactive environment during formal contact times.

    Statics Drop-In Session (Face-to-face: adjacent to Maths Learning Centre in the Hub, Online: Zoom)
    Students are encouraged to seek further clarification of theory presented from the learning support provided in the Statics Drop-In Sesson adjacent to the Maths Learning Centre. The Statics Drop-In Zone will run from Week 2 of Semester until Swot Vac.
    Students are encouraged to attend the Statics Drop-In Session at the times annouced on MyUni.

    Additionally, the Maths Learning Centre contains a webpage that summarises the assumed knowledge that is needed to solve some of the problems in this course: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/mathslearning/resources/statics/
    Students are encouraged to visit the Maths Learning Centre for assistance should they have any queries associated with the mathematics that is assumed knowledge for this course.

    PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions)
    PASS classes utilise a 'flipped classroom' approach (they are not tutorials) and there is no teaching involved, just facilitation for up to 25 no. students to work stuff out on their own. PASS classes are structured (unlike the Drop-In Zone) with worksheets and extra problems design by the PASS leader (a high achieving undergraduate student who recently completed this course) to help students. PASS is for all students, whether to improve from a Distinction to a High Distinction; a Pass to a Credit or even just to obtain a pass. You don't have to enrol or register, just find the class time that suits you and come along. For more information please refer to: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/pass/
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Activity Contact Hours Independent Study Hours
    Total
    Lectures & Formative assignments 36 51 87
    Summative assignments 0 40 40
    Exam preparation 0 20 20
    Exam (x1, summative) 3 0 3
    Total 39 111 150
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topics:
    1. Introduction to mechanics / forces
    2. Forces
    3. Moments
    4. Friction
    5. Trusses
    6. Controids
    7. Distributed loading
    8. Fluid pressures
    9. Internal forces - Shear
    10. Internal forces - Bending

    Note: These are planned topics in the course. Some topics may be changed, added or deleted as appropriate.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    The course will be assessed as follows:
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Weekly Assessments Summative

    Weeks 1-13

    40% 1 - 9
    Exam Summative Exam period 60% 1 - 9

    In order to pass the course students must achieve a minimum of 40% for the examination (course hurdle).

    Assessment Related Requirements
    Hurdles
    Where the exam hurdle is not met students will receive a course result of the lesser of their calculated grade and the nominal
    grade of 45, Fail. An additional assessment exam will be available to eligible students. Students should refer to the Modified arrangements for coursework assessment policy for eligibility criteria.

    Assessment Detail
    There are twelve summative assignments (Assessments 1-12) and a final exam in this course. Each assignment will be available once the required contents are covered and student will be given roughly 1 week to complete each assignment.  The final exam will happen during the exam period.
    In the assignments and the final, students are required to make decisions on how to solve problems, formulate the necessary equations and complete calculations. Clear communication of the solution process is emphasised as a key skill required of engineers.
    Submission
    Submission of summative assignments is the quiz tool Mobius in MyUni. Mobius provides answer boxes for students to submit both their numerical answer(s) and the appropriate unit(s) to the given problems.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.