Outline

Overview

This unit of study is concerned with the behaviour and design of steel structures. Statics provided the fundamentals of equilibrium upon which most structural engineering is based. Structural Concepts and Structural Analysis provided information on the loads (actions) on a structure and how structures resist these actions with a resulting distribution of internal actions (bending moments, shear forces, axial forces; BMDs, SFDs and AFDs). Structural Mechanics considered how these internal actions resulted in stresses and strains in members. Materials considered the microscopic and molecular structure of metals to determine its inherent mechanical properties such as yield stress. This unit of study will then combine the knowledge of stresses, material properties of steel, structural analysis, and loading, and consider new concepts and modes of failure, such as local and flexural torsional buckling, combined actions and second-order effects to understand the behaviour of steel members and frames, and how this behaviour is accounted for in the design standard AS 4100. Both the units of study "Steel Structures 1" and "Concrete Structures 1" can be considered the culmination of the various elements of structural engineering begun in "Engineering Mechanics" in first year, and is further developed in "Civil Engineering Design" in final year. More advanced topics, such as plate behaviour, advanced buckling and connection design, are considered in the final year elective subject "Steel Structures 2". It is recognised that not all students intend to become consulting structural engineers. The unit of study is designed so that students who make an effort to understand the concepts are most capable of passing. Students who are planning a career in the consulting structural engineering profession should be aiming at achieving a Distinction grade or higher.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	CIVL9110 and CIVL9201 and CIVL9235
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tim Wilkinson, tim.wilkinson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam Entire course	35%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Design assignment 1 Loads and layout	15%	Week 04 Due date: 29 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 Sep 2025	3 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 1 In person, on paper, quiz, during your tutorial. Content covers tension.	5%	Week 05 Due date: 03 Sep 2025 at 00:00	25 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 2 In person, on paper, quiz, during your tutorial. Content covers compression.	5%	Week 08 Due date: 24 Sep 2025 at 00:00	25 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Design assignment 2 Truss	15%	Week 09 Due date: 10 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 24 Oct 2025	3 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 3 In person, on paper, quiz, during your tutorial. Content covers bending.	5%	Week 12 Due date: 29 Oct 2025 at 00:00	25 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Lab Report Connections and local buckling	5%	Week 12 Due date: 31 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 14 Nov 2025	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Design assignment 3 Frame	15%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 Nov 2025	3 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Criteria for Passing: In order to achieve a pass in this unit of study, all the following criteria must be satisfied:

A total mark of at least 50 %.
Final examination mark of at least 45 %. This hurdle percentage may be reduced by the lecturer based on exact nature of the questions in the exam.
Making a genuine submission for each of the 3 design assignments and lab report.

Final exam: The questions will be of a similar format to the questions in the tutorials. For each of the 5 main topics (tension, compression, bending, combined actions, and connections) there will be both an explanation-type and a numerical question. The “explanation” questions test understanding of the subject. Questions related to the design project and laboratory sessions maybe included in the final exam. .
Quiz: Three short quizzes will be held. The main aim of the quizzes is to examine the students’ understanding of the main concepts in the unit of study covered to that date, and familiarity with the use of AS 4100, without excessive calculations.
Project: Students will be required to design the critical components of a real steel structure in various stages. The workload is spread across three separate submissions. Submission of all 3 parts of the design exercise is essential. The individual components are loads and layout; structural analysis, tension/compression design; and bending/compression design. The design exercise is integrated into the unit of study - eg there are the lectures on compression, followed by the tutorial on compression and finally the design exercise on compression. Exercises are anticipated to take 8 hours each.

Self and peer review of team contribution: All group assessments require you to review your performance and that of your team members using SPARKPLUS. Individual marks for group assessments will be determined using these reviews
Report: A report on each of the two laboratory sessions is required.
Assignment: Various tutorial questions will be distributed relating to each of the five major topics covered in the unit of study. The tutorial questions are designed to complement the lecture material. Students should aim to complete some of the questions immediately. The tutorial questions prepare students for the corresponding component of the design exercise. These are not submitted and worth zero marks.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

There will be additional discussions in lectures/tutorials and/or separate electronic documents/announcements outlining the standards expected to receive specific grades in assignments. These will also provide guides to students to help them improve the quality of their work. Specific examples or expectations of good answers are actively discussed in lectures.

There may be statistically and educationally defensible methods used when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with grade descriptors

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 02	1. Structural steel/standards; 2. Structure layout and loading	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 03	1. Tension members; 2. Frame and truss analysis	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 04	1. Welcome; 2. Introduction to the design exercise; 3. Assumed knowledge session	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 04	1. Compression members; 2. Frame and truss analysis	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 05	1. Compression members; 2. Tension/compression	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 06	1. Truss design briefing; 2. Tension/compression	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 07	1. Truss design; 2. Beams	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 08	1. Beams; 2. Truss design	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 09	1. Frames and beam-columns; 2. Beams	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 10	1. Beam-columns; 2. Civil engineering workshop tour; 3. ASI	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 11	1. Frame design briefing; 2. Frames and beam-columns; 3. Beam-columns	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 12	1. Practical steel design; 2. Connections	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)
Week 13	1. Unit of study summary; 2. Frame design	Lecture and tutorial (6 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

CIVL3206 Steel Structures 1 Lecture Notes

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate competence in designing a simple structure to AS 4100
LO2. demonstrate familiarity with the behaviour of steel structures, in particular the various forms of failure for members and connections under tension, compression, bending and combined actions
LO3. understand the various types of buckling that occur, and the parameters which affect buckling
LO4. determine strength capacities of individual members to AS 410
LO5. follow most other structural design specifications, given their similarities to AS 4100.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Redesign of canvas

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Safety requirements for lab classes will be distributed in class

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CIVL9206: Steel Structures 1

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links