Overview
In this unit, you will be introduced to basic systems and calculations applied to structures of residential and commercial buildings. You will then extend your understanding of fundamental concepts and principles by referring to structural drawings and computational methods associated with various structures including timber, reinforced concrete and steel structures. The unit learning will cover essential knowledge areas of structural mechanics including loading and load paths, support systems, determinate and indeterminate structures, main structural elements (e.g. beams, columns), tension members and compression members. By the end of this unit, you will have developed a sound understanding of the application of design processes for common structures.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit evaluation via Moodle
Very well set out and delivered. Great use of resources. The unit was well formatted with a clear and logical progression. Lecturer was good and provided a good understanding of the unit content.
Good to know the content and resources were useful towards learning progress and knowledge development.
Feedback from Unit evaluation via Moodle
I struggled with maths and one-to-one Zoom session helped. At the end understood the content well, maybe it is my own confidence issues.
Thanks for the feedback. Nice to see Lecturer helped the student/s to his level best.
- Calculate supporting reactions of different loading systems by applying the concept of equilibrium
- Calculate basic section properties of structural elements such as first and second moment of area, centroid, bending and shear stresses
- Apply the principles of structural analysis to identify determinate and indeterminate structures
- Size and design simple structural members including beams and columns.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10% | ||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Principles Of Structure
Edition: 5th (2013)
Authors: Wyatt, Kenneth James & Hough, Richard
Taylor & Francis
Boca Raton Boca Raton , FL , USA
ISBN: 9780415667272
Understanding Structures- Analysis, Materials, Design
Edition: 5th (2014)
Authors: Seward, Derek
Bloomsbury Publishing
Camden Camden , London , UK
ISBN: 9781137376565
Additional Textbook Information
Textbooks can be accessed online at the CQUniversity Library website. Access may be limited. If you would prefer your own copy, purchase either paper or eBook versions at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microphone and camera to attend the Zoom sessions
- MS Teams
- Microsoft Office or equivalent (word-processing) software for preparation of assessment items in the appropriate format
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.kalutara@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Topic 1- Equilibrium and building structures
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 2- Loads, load paths and support conditions
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 3- Determinacy, indeterminacy and instability
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 4- Sectional properties
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 5- Analysis of statically determinate trusses
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Relax! Enjoy the break!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 6- Shear force and bending moment
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 7- Stresses- bending, shear, compression and tension
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 8- Deflections
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 9- Design of concrete structures
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 10- Design of steel structures
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 11- Design of timber structures
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
End of term- unit review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No exams for this unit.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No exams for this unit.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
In this assessment task, students need to answer a quiz consists of 20 multiple choice questions based on Topics 1 to 6 of the unit.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
1
Other
Week 7 Monday (28 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please refer to the instructions on the unit Moodle page
Week 7 Tuesday (29 Apr 2025)
Results of the quiz will be returned within 24 hours of the due date or submission date (whichever is the latest)
The quiz will be assessed based on the understanding of core knowledge and application areas of structural engineering.
- Calculate supporting reactions of different loading systems by applying the concept of equilibrium
- Calculate basic section properties of structural elements such as first and second moment of area, centroid, bending and shear stresses
2 Written Assessment
Assessment task 2 comprises of questions from Topics 1 to 6. It will require you to research and answer a number of questions that explore common structural engineering concepts.
As with all assessments, formatting and presentation is important to design your answer with clarity. Technical accuracy and references to support ideas/facts will be paramount in demonstrating your answer in valid and reliable manner.
Your assignment should be produced in electronic format either as a:
- single word-processed document, or
- single pdf format document before or on the nominated due date and upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report (Turnitin score).
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per Harvard referencing style as advised by CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
Week 8 Monday (5 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit via the assessment portal on the unit Moodle home page.
Week 10 Monday (19 May 2025)
Review of the assessment will be returned within two weeks of the submission due date.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the submissions:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues
- Use of quality supporting documentation as appropriate
- Use of original thought and content
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other visual communication
- Demonstration of core knowledge and demonstration of appropriate application of knowledge
- Calculate supporting reactions of different loading systems by applying the concept of equilibrium
- Calculate basic section properties of structural elements such as first and second moment of area, centroid, bending and shear stresses
3 Online Quiz(zes)
In this assessment task, students need to answer a quiz consists of 20 multiple choice questions based on Topics 7 to 11 of the unit.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
1
Other
Week 12 Monday (2 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please refer to the instructions on the unit Moodle page.
Week 12 Tuesday (3 June 2025)
Results of the quiz will be returned within 24 hours of the due date or submission date (whichever is the latest)
The quiz will be assessed based on the understanding of core knowledge and application areas of structural engineering.
- Apply the principles of structural analysis to identify determinate and indeterminate structures
- Size and design simple structural members including beams and columns.
4 Written Assessment
Assessment task 2 comprises of questions from Topics 7 to 11. It will require you to research and answer a number of questions that explore common structural engineering concepts.
As with all assessments, formatting and presentation is important to design your answer with clarity. Technical accuracy and references to support ideas/facts will be paramount in demonstrating your answer in valid and reliable manner.
Your assignment should be produced in electronic format either as a:
- single word-processed document, or
- single pdf format document before or on the nominated due date and upload your work following the on-screen instructions.
Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report (Turnitin score).
You must ensure that the submission is your own and that any cited work has been correctly referenced as per Harvard referencing style as advised by CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Further information regarding the assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.
Review/Exam Week Monday (9 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit via the assessment portal on the unit Moodle home page
Exam Week Friday (20 June 2025)
Within two weeks of the submission due date but before the certification of grades
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the submissions:
- Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues
- Use of quality supporting documentation as appropriate
- Use of original thought and content
- Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other visual communication
- Demonstration of core knowledge and demonstration of appropriate application of knowledge
- Apply the principles of structural analysis to identify determinate and indeterminate structures
- Size and design simple structural members including beams and columns.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
