Enrolments for 2021 have closed.
Mechanics of Materials
Undergraduate | USA-ENR202 | 2021
Course information for 2021 intake
View information for 2022 course intakeManufacture skills about structures that change shape or volume through external forces. Study failures in common structural elements. Calculate bending, buckling, and stress levels in beams and columns under load. Design resistant, simple structures.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Mechanics of Materials
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- describe the principles of structural actions, stresses, strains and resultant failures in common structural elements
- calculate the resultant stresses and deflections that occur in beams and columns under applied loads
- communicate calculations, designs and laboratory test results in a professional manner in written reports
- apply this knowledge to the design of simple structural elements utilising design codes
- collaborate with other students in small teams to produce design solutions and reports.
- Centroid and second moment of area
- Stress and strain
- Mechanical properties of materials and elastic deformation of axially loaded members
- Shear force and bending moment diagrams
- Beam bending
- Beam shear stresses
- Beam deflection
- Column buckling
- Torsion
- Combined loading
- Stress transformation and principal stresses
The subject aims to introduce mechanics of deformable bodies and some elements of structural analysis. The subject investigates stress and strain, structural actions for a range of typical structures, strength and serviceability concepts, as well as stress distribution in beams. An understanding of column types and failure modes and torsion will be gained.
- Examination (55%)
- Quiz (15%)
- Project (4 reports) (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
one of
USA-ENR119-Engineering Mechanics (no longer available)
USA-ENR117 (Not currently available)
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Audio headset with microphone are required to access weekly consultation and help desk facilities.
- Other requirements -
Students are required to achieve at least 40% in the examination component (i.e. 22/55) to pass the course overall. Students will require administrator access to a Windows Operating System so as to install and run specialist software.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.