Studying online
There are now 3 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Units available in Online Restricted mode have been adapted for online study only for those students who require the unit to complete their studies and who are unable to attend campus owing to exceptional circumstances beyond their control. To be enrolled in a unit in Online Restricted mode, students should contact their Student Advising Office through askUWA
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit focuses on the relationship between stress and strain in solid, deformable, load-carrying structural and mechanical elements. Various types of loading such as tension, compression, bending, shear and torsion is considered as well as common failure modes and models. Design of structural and mechanical elements to withstand defined static loads is also covered. The objective of the unit is to develop an understanding of equilibrium, stress, strain, deformation and stability of 2D and 3D statically determinate and indeterminate structures, and to provide an introduction to the methods of analysis for design of structural and mechanical elements. The following major topics are covered: (1) concept of stress—tension, compression and shear; (2) stress and strain in 3D, generalised Hooke's law; (3) axially loaded members; (4) torsion; (5) shear forces and bending moments; (6) stresses in beams; (7) analysis of stress and strain; (8) applications of plane stress (pressure vessels, beams and combined loadings); (9) statically indeterminate beams; and (10) column buckling and stability.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face Semester 1 Online Online Restricted - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) choose references and sources of information relevant to the unit activities and use them to find relevant examples/information; (2) understand equilibrium conditions as applied to the analysis of structural and mechanical elements; (3) calculate reaction forces on a loaded element and draw normal force, shear force, torque and bending moment diagrams; (4) understand the relationship between stress and strain (Generalised Hooke's Law) in two dimensions and three dimensions; understand the relationship between Poisson's ratio, Young's modulus, shear modulus and bulk modulus; (5) calculate the normal stress and shear stress in structural elements induced by multidirectional loading; (6) understand the effects of different boundary conditions on the stress distribution in a loaded element; (7) understand the concept of stress concentration and its application to design; (8) assess cross-sectional properties and their effect on structural response to loading; (9) understand the stress/strain transformation, represent it using Mohr's circles and apply these and understand (including the mathematical bases) the concept of principal stress/strain and determine principal stress/strain in simple components under various types of loading; (10) understand the difference between ductile and brittle materials, and the choice of appropriate failure models; (11) understand and apply ideal (Euler's) column buckling model and stability criteria; and (12) apply the above to analyse the stress/strain state in simple mechanical components and interpret the results in terms of risk of the component failure.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quizzes; (2) lab reports; and (3) a final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Elena Pasternak
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- in-class lectures (including continuous assessment): 3 hours a week (total 39 hours)
practical classes: 24 hours (total) - Note
- Enrolled students can access unit materials via the LMS (Learning Management System).
- Recommended
reading -
Beer, F. P. et al. Mechanics of Materials, 6th edn: McGraw-Hill 2012
Gere, J. M. and Goodno, B. J. Mechanics of Materials, 7th SI edn: Cengage Learning 2009
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.