Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
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: concept of stress—tension, compression and shear; stress and strain in 3D, generalised Hooke's law; axially loaded members; torsion; shear forces and bending moments; stresses in beams; analysis of stress and strain; applications of plane stress (pressure vessels, beams and combined loadings); statically indeterminate beams; and column buckling and stability.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) apply equilibrium conditions to the analysis of structural and mechanical elements; (2) draw normal force, shear force, torque and bending moment diagrams; (3) apply Generalised Hooke's Law, the relationship between Poisson's ratio, Young's modulus, shear modulus and bulk modulus, and the stress transformation technique to calculate the normal stress and shear stress in structural elements induced by multidirectional loading in two and three dimensions; (4) use the concept of stress concentration in simple design; (5) assess the effect of material behaviour, cross-sectional properties, and different boundary conditions on stress distribution and structural response to loading; (6) determine principal stress/strain in simple components under various types of loading, use Mohr's circles and apply them to simple failure criteria; (7) choose appropriate failure models based on material behaviour; and (8) apply Euler's column buckling model and stability criteria.
- 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 per week
practical classes: 2 hours per week - 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.
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
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.