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Unit outline_

MECH3361: Mechanics of Solids 2

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit of study aims to: teach the fundamentals of analysing stress and deformation in a solid under complex loading associated with the elemental structures/components in aerospace, mechanical and biomedical engineering; develop the following attributes: understand the fundamental principles of solid mechanics and basic methods for stress and deformation analysis of a solid structure/element in the above mentioned engineering areas; gain the ability to analyse problems in terms of strength and deformation in relation to the design, manufacturing and maintenance of machines, structures, devices and elements in the above mentioned engineering areas. At the end of this unit students will have a good understanding of the following: applicability of the theories and why so; how and why to do stress analysis; why we need equations of motion/equilibrium; how and why to do strain analysis; why we need compatibility equations; why Hooke's law, why plasticity and how to do elastic and plastic analysis; how and why to do mechanics modelling; how to describe boundary conditions for complex engineering problems; why and how to solve a mechanics model based on a practical problem; why and how to use energy methods for stress and deformation analysis; why and how to do stress concentration analysis and its relation to fracture and service life of a component/structure; how and why to do fundamental plastic deformation analysis; how and why the finite element method is introduced and used for stress and deformation analysis. The students are expected to develop the ability of solving engineering problems by comprehensively using the skills attained above. The students will get familiar with finite element analysis as a research and analysis tool for various real-life problems.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
AMME2301 and (AMME1362 or AMME2302 or CIVL2110 or CIVL1110)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Qing Li, qing.li@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Qing Li, qing.li@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Chi Wu, chi.wu@sydney.edu.au
Jane Zhong, jzho8431@sydney.edu.au
Huiyu Wang, huiyu.wang@sydney.edu.au
Boyang Wan, boyang.wan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Multiple choice/short answer questions. Long calculation questions
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Written lab report
Written report for strain lab tests
5% Multiple weeks 10 page report
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Assignment Assignment 1
Two assignment questions plus one mini-project.
8% Week 05
Due date: 03 Sep 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 Jul 2023
6-page report plus written solutions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Tutorial quiz Quiz 1
Multiple Choice and short answer question and long calculation questions
10% Week 07
Due date: 11 Sep 2023 at 11:00

Closing date: 11 Sep 2023
60 mins writing time plus 10 min reading
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 2
Assignment questions plus one mini-project.
8% Week 09
Due date: 08 Oct 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 Jul 2023
6-page report plus written solutions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Tutorial quiz Quiz 2
Multiple Choice and short answer question and long calculation questions
10% Week 12
Due date: 23 Oct 2023 at 11:00

Closing date: 23 Oct 2023
60 min writing time plus 10 min reading
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 3
Assignment questions plus one mini-project.
9% Week 13
Due date: 05 Nov 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 05 Nov 2023
6-page report plus written solutions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1:  Stress and strain analyses; Stress-strain relation.
  • Assignment 2:  Modelling, Finite element method.
  • Assignment 3:  Finite element analysis.
  • Lab Skills : A laboratory experiment on the strain gauge technique.
  • Quiz 1: Covers all material introduced in weeks 1-5, composed of short and long answer questions.
  • Quiz 2: Covers all material introduced in weeks 6-12, composed of short and long answer questions.
  • Final exam: Cover all materials from weeks 1-13

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

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.

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 Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction, Stress Analysis and Basic Assumptions. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 02 Stress and strain tensors, Stress-strain relations Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Strain - displacement relation, equilibrium equation Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Modelling, Solution and Application. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Modelling and stress function method Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 06 Plasticity, non-linearity, and failure Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Finite Element Method - fundamentals Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Finite Element Method - 1D problems Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 09 Finite Element Method - Vibration problems Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 10 Finite Element Method - 2D problems Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 11 Finite Element Method - 3D problems Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 12 Finite element based design optimisation Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 13 Review of the unit Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture: 3 hours per week
  • Tutorial: 2 hours per week (including FEA computer lab)
  • Laboratory: 6 hours laboratory work per semester

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.

  • Zhang, L., Solid Mechanics for Engineers. Macmillan/Palgrave, 2001.

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.

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

  • LO1. describe boundary conditions, model a problem, and use the basic skills to solve simple engineering problems
  • LO2. use a theoretical solution to guide a design, explain a failure, or optimise a simple structure
  • LO3. analyse engineering problems in terms of strength, stress, and deformation in relation to the design, fabrication, and maintenance of machine and structure components
  • LO4. understand the essentials of material selection in design and manufacturing by making use of the physical inherence of the elastic constants
  • LO5. understand the concepts, features, and principles of stress and strain in mechanical elements subjected to deformation in analysing engineering problems
  • LO6. use the strain gauge technique and the principle of strain measurement in measuring strains and calculating stresses
  • LO7. demonstrate skill and ability in using the finite element method for solving real-life engineering problems.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

This is a 13 week teaching program.

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.