Overview
This unit introduces Newtonian physics concepts governing the behaviour of stationary engineering systems. To determine design parameters, you will study forces applied to two and three-dimensional bodies under the static equilibrium state. You will determine internal forces, calculate support reactions, and develop Free-body, Shear Force and Bending Moments diagrams. You will also calculate sectional properties, including the center of gravity, centroid, and second moment of inertia. Upon completing this unit, you will understand the foundations of engineering statics enabling progress to advanced system/structural analysis and development of sustainable infrastructure
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 3 - 2026
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 Task | Part Weighting (% of assessment) |
Assessment Security Level | Gen AI Guidance Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ASSESSMENT 1 (10% of unit · 3 parts ) | |||
| Part 1 – Quiz 1 (Online Quiz(zes)) | 40% of 10% | Low | AI-Assisted (Guided Collaboration) |
| Part 2 – Quiz 2 (Online Quiz(zes)) | 30% of 10% | Low | AI-Assisted (Guided Collaboration) |
| Part 3 – Quiz 3 (Online Quiz(zes)) | 30% of 10% | Low | AI-Assisted (Guided Collaboration) |
| 2. ASSESSMENT 2 (20% of unit ) | |||
| Assignment 1 (Written Assessment) | 100% of 20% | Medium | AI-Assisted (Guided Collaboration) |
| 3. ASSESSMENT 3 (20% of unit ) | |||
| Assignment 2 (Written Assessment) | 100% of 20% | Medium | AI-Assisted (Guided Collaboration) |
| 4. EXAMINATION (50% of unit ) | |||
| Examination (Examination) | 100% of 50% | High | No Gen AI Use |
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
- Academic Progression Policy and Procedure
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- 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 SUTE
Students praised the clear, structured, and engaging teaching approach, noting that explanations and worked examples helped them understand challenging statics concepts.
This approach should be maintained, with continued emphasis on step-by-step explanations, worked examples, and interactive problem-solving during lectures and tutorials.
Feedback from SUTE
Some students, particularly those enrolled in non-civil disciplines (e.g. electrical engineering), reported difficulty seeing the future relevance of Engineering Statics to their degree.
Greater emphasis should be placed on cross-disciplinary applications of statics, including examples relevant to electrical, mechatronics, and systems engineering, to better demonstrate the unit’s foundational role across engineering disciplines.
- Analyse two and three-dimensional force systems to determine resultant forces
- Apply static equilibrium concepts to bodies with external forces and moments, create Free-body diagrams and determine support reactions
- Analyse statically determinate structures, including beams, frames, and trusses, to calculate internal forces and create Shear-force and Bending-moment diagrams
- Calculate sectional properties such as center of gravity, centroid, and second moment of Inertia of simple structural forms
- Demonstrate a professional level of communication skills in written work.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
|
1.
Assessment 1
(10% of unit · 3 parts
)
Part 1 -
Online Quiz(zes)
Part 2 -
Online Quiz(zes)
Part 3 -
Online Quiz(zes)
|
|||||
|
2.
Assessment 2
(20% of unit )
Written Assessment
|
|||||
|
3.
Assessment 3
(20% of unit )
Written Assessment
|
|||||
|
4.
Examination
(50% of unit )
Examination
|
|||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
Engineering Mechanics STATICS
- Edition: 14 or later
- Authors: R.C. Hibbeler
- Pearson
- ISBN: 1488689806
- Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
h.baji@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to Statics
Chapter
Chapter 1: General Principles
Chapter 2: Force Vectors
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Equilibrium of a Particle
Chapter
Chapter 3: Equilibrium of a Particle
Chapter 4: Force System Resultants
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Equilibrium of a Rigid Body
Chapter
Chapter 5: Equilibrium of a Rigid Body
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz #1: The test opens at 9:00 AM Monday of this week and closes at 9:00 PM Monday of next week.
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Force Analysis in 3D
Chapter
Chapter 2: Force Vectors
Chapter 4: Force System Resultants
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 07 Dec 2026Module/Topic
Equilibrium in 3D
Chapter
Chapter 3: Equilibrium of a Particle
Chapter 5: Equilibrium of a Rigid Body
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz #2: The test opens at 9:00 AM Monday of this week and closes at 9:00 PM Monday of next week.
Week 6
Begin Date: 14 Dec 2026Module/Topic
Analysis of Trusses: Method of Joints and Section
Chapter
Chapter 6: Structural Analysis
Events and Submissions/Topic
Mid-Term Break
Begin Date: 21 Dec 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 04 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Beams: Internal Forces
Chapter
Chapter 7: Internal Forces
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz #3: The test opens at 9:00 AM Monday of this week and closes at 9:00 PM Monday of next week.
Assignment 1 Due: Week 7 Monday (4 Jan 2027) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 11 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Beams: Axial Force, Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams
Chapter
Chapter 7: Internal Forces
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 18 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Friction
Chapter
Chapter 8: Friction
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 25 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Center of Gravity and Centroid
Chapter
Chapter 9: Center of Gravity and Centroid
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 01 Feb 2027Module/Topic
Moment of Inertia
Chapter
Chapter 10: Moments of Inertia
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 08 Feb 2027Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Feb 2027Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1. ASSESSMENT 1 ( 10% of unit · 3 parts )
Part 1 - Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment task consists of an online test with 4% marks. The test consists of a number of numerical questions covering materials taught in weeks 1 and 2.
Important Notes:
- Each Test is set for 60 minutes. You have 60 minutes from when you start your attempt to submit your answers.
- If you start but leave a test and come back to it later, your 60 min time may have lapsed, and you will be scored zero for that attempt.
- You can attempt each test up to three (3) times within the given time frame as specified in the schedule. You get one bonus attempt for this quiz.
- The test will be automatically closed after the end of the given time frame.
- The final mark will be the highest of all the attempts.
- Even though the tests are open for a few days, it is expected that your first attempt would be on the first day.
- The Tests cannot generally be deferred. However, under exceptional circumstances, if you have valid reasons to defer the test(s), please contact the Unit Coordinator with documents of proof before the due date.
AI Assessment Scale - AI Planning: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
This assessment is exempted from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the stated submission date/time.
Week 4 Monday (30 Nov 2026) 9:00 am AEST
The test opens on Monday of Week 3 at 9:00 am Brisbane time.
Immediately after the test completion.
- Full marks allocated to a question will be awarded for each correct answer.
- No penalty for wrong answers.
- Analyse two and three-dimensional force systems to determine resultant forces
- Apply static equilibrium concepts to bodies with external forces and moments, create Free-body diagrams and determine support reactions
Part 2 - Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment task consists of an online test with 3% marks. The test consists of a number of numerical questions covering materials taught in week 3.
Important Notes:
- Each Test is set for 60 minutes. You have 60 minutes from when you start your attempt to submit your answers.
- If you start but leave a test and come back to it later, your 60 min time may have lapsed, and you will be scored zero for that attempt.
- You can attempt each test up to three (3) times within the given time frame as specified in the schedule.
- The test will be automatically closed after the end of the given time frame.
- The final mark will be the highest of all the attempts.
- Even though the tests are open for a few days, it is expected that your first attempt would be on the first day.
- The Tests cannot generally be deferred. However, under exceptional circumstances, if you have valid reasons to defer the test(s), please contact the Unit Coordinator with documents of proof before the due date.
AI Assessment Scale - AI Planning: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
This assessment is exempted from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the stated submission date/time.
Week 6 Monday (14 Dec 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Online test will open on Monday of Week 5 at 9:00 am Brisbane time.
Immediately after the test completion.
- Full marks allocated to a question will be awarded for each correct answer.
- No penalty for wrong answers.
- Analyse two and three-dimensional force systems to determine resultant forces
- Apply static equilibrium concepts to bodies with external forces and moments, create Free-body diagrams and determine support reactions
Part 3 - Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment task consists of an online test with 3% marks. The test consists of a number of numerical questions covering materials taught in weeks 4 and 5.
Important Notes:
- Each Test is set for 60 minutes. You have 60 minutes from when you start your attempt to submit your answers.
- If you start but leave a test and come back to it later, your 60 min time may have lapsed and you will be scored zero for that attempt.
- You can attempt each test up to three (3) times within the given time frame as specified in the schedule.
- The test will be automatically closed after the end of the given time frame.
- The final mark will be the highest of all the attempts.
- Even though the tests are open for a few days, it is expected that your first attempt would be on the first day.
- The Tests cannot generally be deferred. However, under exceptional circumstances, if you have valid reasons to defer the test(s), please contact the Unit Coordinator with documents of proof before the due date.
AI Assessment Scale - AI Planning: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
This assessment is exempted from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the stated submission date/time.
Week 8 Monday (11 Jan 2027) 9:00 am AEST
Online test will open on Monday of Week 7 at 9:00 am Brisbane time.
Immediately after the test completion.
- Full marks allocated to a question will be awarded for each correct answer.
- No penalty for wrong answers.
- Analyse two and three-dimensional force systems to determine resultant forces
- Apply static equilibrium concepts to bodies with external forces and moments, create Free-body diagrams and determine support reactions
2. ASSESSMENT 2 ( 20% of unit )
Written Assessment
You are required to complete an individual written assignment demonstrating your understanding and application of the concepts, theories and methods covered in Weeks 1–5.
The assignment consists of numerical problems requiring detailed worked solutions. For each question, you must show the relevant equations, calculation steps, units and final answers, supported by clearly labelled diagrams and stated sign conventions where appropriate.
The assignment questions will be available on the unit Moodle page by the end of Week 1. Further details, including submission requirements and the due date, will be provided on Moodle.
AI Assessment Scale - AI Planning: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 7 Monday (4 Jan 2027) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 9 Monday (18 Jan 2027)
Feedback will be returned within two weeks after assignment due date.
Each solution will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Sign conventions and diagrams (20%): Accurate and clearly labelled diagrams showing assumed sign conventions, free-body diagrams and any other diagrams required for the solution.
- Calculations (80%): Correct selection and application of equations and methods, accurate calculations, appropriate units and correct final answers.
All solution steps must be shown and explained in sufficient detail to demonstrate your understanding of the method used. Working must be clear, legible and logically organised.
Submit your completed assignment as a single PDF file containing clear and readable worked solutions.
- Analyse two and three-dimensional force systems to determine resultant forces
- Apply static equilibrium concepts to bodies with external forces and moments, create Free-body diagrams and determine support reactions
- Demonstrate a professional level of communication skills in written work.
3. ASSESSMENT 3 ( 20% of unit )
Written Assessment
You are required to complete an individual written assignment demonstrating your understanding and application of the concepts, theories and methods covered in Weeks 6–9.
The assignment consists of numerical problems requiring detailed worked solutions. For each question, you must show the relevant equations, calculation steps, units and final answers, supported by clearly labelled diagrams and stated sign conventions where appropriate.
The assignment questions will be available on the unit Moodle page by the end of Week 6. Further details, including submission requirements and the due date, will be provided on Moodle.
AI Assessment Scale - AI Planning: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 11 Monday (1 Feb 2027) 11:59 pm AEST
Exam Week Monday (15 Feb 2027)
Feedback will be returned within two weeks after assignment due date.
Each solution will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Sign conventions and diagrams (20%): Accurate and clearly labelled diagrams showing assumed sign conventions, free-body diagrams and any other diagrams required for the solution.
- Calculations (80%): Correct selection and application of equations and methods, accurate calculations, appropriate units and correct final answers.
All solution steps must be shown and explained in sufficient detail to demonstrate your understanding of the method used. Working must be clear, legible and logically organised.
Submit your completed assignment as a single PDF file containing clear and readable worked solutions.
- Analyse statically determinate structures, including beams, frames, and trusses, to calculate internal forces and create Shear-force and Bending-moment diagrams
- Demonstrate a professional level of communication skills in written work.
Examination (50% of unit)
Calculator - all non-communicable calculators, including scientific, programmable and graphics calculators are authorised
- Analyse two and three-dimensional force systems to determine resultant forces
- Apply static equilibrium concepts to bodies with external forces and moments, create Free-body diagrams and determine support reactions
- Analyse statically determinate structures, including beams, frames, and trusses, to calculate internal forces and create Shear-force and Bending-moment diagrams
- Calculate sectional properties such as center of gravity, centroid, and second moment of Inertia of simple structural forms
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?
