Solid Mechanics is a fundamental subject in engineering and its principles and concepts provide a foundation for further learning in both broad and specialised engineering contexts. Engineers are required to design or analyse a variety of elements, components or structures that are often exposed to different loading conditions. An abstract and practical understanding of the mechanics of materials is therefore required. The abstract concepts of equilibrium and the compatibility of external and internal deformation in particular must be understood by every engineer.

Unit details

Location:
Footscray Park
Remote
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
NEC2102

Prerequisites

NEF1102 - Engineering Physics 1

NEF1205 - Engineering Fundamentals

NEM1001 - Algebra and Calculus

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Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Calculate internal actions in a member including forces and, moments, and derive associated diagrams;  
  2. Evaluate centroids, centre of gravity, and moment of inertia of engineering cross-sections;  
  3. Determine the various types of stresses present in a structure, incorporating the mechanical properties of engineering materials;  
  4. Deduce principle stresses and strains using Mohr's circle and transformation formulas;  
  5. Analyse the deflection of engineering beams and shafts, and failure modes of compression members;  
  6. Formulate and solve problems by undertaking basic engineering analysis and write technical reports.  

Assessment

Assessment type Description Grade
Assignment Individual Homework Problems 25%
Project Group Project Report 25%
Test Tests (Individual) 50%
The tests focus upon the individual student's ability to demonstrate his or her in-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline, apply established engineering methods to complex engineering problems, and the fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources, as defined in Engineers Australia competencies 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1 and 2.2. In addition, the tasks assess the student on the individual components of Learning Outcomes (LO) (1 to 6) which are not assessed within the assignments and project. As the tests are the one clear way by which these competencies and LO's can be assessed on an individual basis, students must achieve a minimum mark of 40% in the tests in order to pass the unit.

Required reading

Refer to VU Collaborate for recommended reading and additional resources.

Statics and mechanics of Materials 5th ed. in SI units
Hibbeler, R.C. (2017)
Pearson/Prentice Hall, Singapore.

Where to next?

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.

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