UNSW Course Outline
ENGG2400 Mechanics of Solids 1 2025
Published on the 09 Jun 2025
General Course Information
Course Code : ENGG2400
Year : 2025
Term : Term 2
Teaching Period : T2
Is a multi-term course? : No
Faculty : Faculty of Engineering
Academic Unit : Faculty of Engineering
Delivery Mode : In Person
Delivery Format : Standard
Delivery Location : Kensington
Campus : Sydney
Study Level : Postgraduate, Undergraduate
Units of Credit : 6
Useful Links
Handbook Class Timetable
Course Details & Outcomes
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals to the mechanics of solids. The topics
include properties of plane cross-sectional shapes including centroid & principal second moment
of area; concepts of stress and strain; 2D transformation of stresses and strains under axis
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rotation; principal stresses and strains; Mohr’s circle of stress and strain; stress-strain
relationships; elasticity, thermal strain, Poisson’s ratio and Hooke’s Law; bars under axial force;
Indeterminate axial force systems; elastic bending stress formula; composite beams; deflections
due to bending; step functions; simple indeterminate beams; shear flow; shear centre; torsion of
circular shafts and box sections.
Course Aims
The objectives of this course are:
To reinforce knowledge of statics and to expand this knowledge in the areas of strain and stress
analysis, thus enabling student to deal with more complex and integrated engineering problems
involving Mechanics of Solids;
To introduce students to the basic principles and laws underlying Mechanics of Solids;
To familiarize students with the modelling and analysis techniques when formulating and solving
problems for predicting the states of stress and strain for bodies in static equilibrium;
To give students an opportunity to develop and reflect on graduate attributes such as critical
thinking and problem solving, lifelong learning skills and collaborative skills.
Relationship to Other Courses
This course is a natural extension of the statics component of ENGG1300, and leads into
advanced third year courses like Mechanics of Solids 2, Aerospace Structures, etc.
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
CLO1 : Represent physical systems in a manner to sufficiently capture the structural elements
required to perform an engineering stress/strain analysis.
CLO2 : Discern the relevant principles that must be applied to ascertain stress/strain or load/
deflection states of engineering systems and discriminate between relevant and irrelevant
information in the context.
CLO3 : Demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly and precisely about technical matters
related to the Mechanics of Solids, that includes mathematical, graphical and diagrammatic
elements.
CLO4 : Accomplish practical tasks that require the application of knowledge of the Mechanics
of Solids.
CLO5 : Demonstrate professional communication that includes mathematical, graphical and
diagrammatic elements.
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Course Learning Outcomes
Assessment Item
CLO1 : Represent physical systems in a
manner to sufficiently capture the structural
elements required to perform an engineering
stress/strain analysis.
• MECH: Weekly tutorial and class work
• MECH: Block tests
• MECH: Final Examination
CLO2 : Discern the relevant principles that
must be applied to ascertain stress/strain or
load/deflection states of engineering systems
and discriminate between relevant and
irrelevant information in the context.
• MECH: Weekly tutorial and class work
• MECH: Block tests
• MECH: Final Examination
CLO3 : Demonstrate an ability to communicate • MECH: Technical report for laboratory
clearly and precisely about technical matters
experiments
related to the Mechanics of Solids, that
includes mathematical, graphical and
diagrammatic elements.
CLO4 : Accomplish practical tasks that
require the application of knowledge of the
Mechanics of Solids.
• MECH: Technical report for laboratory
experiments
CLO5 : Demonstrate professional
communication that includes mathematical,
graphical and diagrammatic elements.
• MECH: Weekly tutorial and class work
• MECH: Technical report for laboratory
experiments
Learning and Teaching Technologies
Moodle - Learning Management System | Microsoft Teams
Learning and Teaching in this course
The teaching strategies that will be used include: Lectures that will focus on the development
and application of generalised problem-solving processes for the stress, strain and deformation
analysis of structures. Lectures will also emphasise the relationship of the content to
engineering practice and will provide an opportunity for reflection on learning. The lectures are
recorded and should be available on the Teams course page. Problem classes will concentrate
on strategies for solving such problems. Students will be encouraged, from time to time, to work
in small groups to solve problems.
Other Professional Outcomes
The School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering expects, as an outcome, for all
enrolled students to be professional and collegite members of the Engineering Faculty.
Additional Course Information
This is a core course for all undergraduate programs in the School of Mechanical and
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Manufacturing Engineering.
Assessments
Assessment Structure
Assessment Item
Weight
Relevant Dates
MECH: Weekly tutorial and class work
Assessment Format: Individual
24%
Start Date: Weekly
Due Date: Friday at the start of your PSS
MECH: Block tests
Assessment Format: Individual
24%
Start Date: 5:15pm Thursday, Weeks 3,
7, 10
Due Date: 45 minutes after start time
MECH: Technical report for laboratory
experiments
Assessment Format: Individual
12%
Start Date: 01/07/2025 01:00 PM
Due Date: Week 7: 14 July - 20 July
MECH: Final Examination
Assessment Format: Individual
40%
Start Date: UNSW Final Exam Period
Due Date: UNSW Final Exam Period
Assessment Details
MECH: Weekly tutorial and class work
Assessment Overview
Tutorial and class work, marks assigned each week of term to demonstrate synchronous
engagement and understanding of lectures and tutorials. Correctness is not essential, but
attempting each question is required for full marks. Each topic week has 3 marks for the PSS
hand-ins and tasks related to the live classes. 8 weeks total. Students must synchronously join
lectures and physically attend tutorials to attain all marks.
Course Learning Outcomes
CLO1 : Represent physical systems in a manner to sufficiently capture the structural elements
required to perform an engineering stress/strain analysis.
CLO2 : Discern the relevant principles that must be applied to ascertain stress/strain or load/
deflection states of engineering systems and discriminate between relevant and irrelevant
information in the context.
CLO5 : Demonstrate professional communication that includes mathematical, graphical and
diagrammatic elements.
Detailed Assessment Description
Students must bring their written work (Hand-in Problems in the PSS Booklet) to their PSS class
the week after the topic is taught (for example, Topic 1 Week 1 completed for PSS2 in Week 2)
and remain for the full duration to receive the maximum 1.5 marks per week. Lecture questions
are only available if student has attended the lecture in person or online sychronously. They are
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also worth 1.5 marks per week for the 8 topics. Marks assigned each week of session to show
work has been completed. Correctness does not matter, but a sound attempt for each question
is required for full marks. There are 8 topics covereed between Weeks 1-5 and 7-9, with 3 marks
per week total available for the PSS and lecture questions:
• An incomplete set of solutions, late arrival, early departure or unreasonable attempt will score
0.5 to 1 mark out of 1.5. Students must be present either in-person for the duration of the PSS to
attain the full mark.
• If a student comes late, does not attend or join the the PSS or leaves late, their demonstrator
will odeduct marks for submitted work.
• If the student brings the PSS Hand-in a week late, they will receive a maximum of 1/1.5 marks
• Zero marks will be awarded for work more than one week late
Assessment Length
2 hours
Submission notes
Bring an attempt at each Hand-in problem for the week to class.
Assessment information
If you are away for a week, please arrange directly with your demonstrators to send them your
Hand-In problems digitally.
Assignment submission Turnitin type
This is not a Turnitin assignment
Generative AI Permission Level
Simple Editing Assistance
In completing this assessment, you are permitted to use standard editing and referencing
functions in the software you use to complete your assessment. These functions are described
below. You must not use any functions that generate or paraphrase passages of text or other
media, whether based on your own work or not.
If your Convenor has concerns that your submission contains passages of AI-generated text or
media, you may be asked to account for your work. If you are unable to satisfactorily
demonstrate your understanding of your submission you may be referred to UNSW Conduct &
Integrity Office for investigation for academic misconduct and possible penalties.
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For more information on Generative AI and permitted use please see here.
There are no marks awarded fror right or wrong, only for attempts to help you learn and gain
feedback. You may wish to use AI if you are stuck, but remember, you won't have AI in the exam,
so if you use it for Hand in problems then it must only be serving the purpose of learning.
MECH: Block tests
Assessment Overview
High integrity mid-session or block test to assess progress in learning under exam-like
conditions. Expectations include mathematical correctness, sufficient description of
mathematical and technical process such that the marker can follow the procedure taken.
Course Learning Outcomes
CLO1 : Represent physical systems in a manner to sufficiently capture the structural elements
required to perform an engineering stress/strain analysis.
CLO2 : Discern the relevant principles that must be applied to ascertain stress/strain or load/
deflection states of engineering systems and discriminate between relevant and irrelevant
information in the context.
Detailed Assessment Description
The block tests will have one question on each of the weekly topics preceeding that week.
Block tests will be closed book and run in lecture theatres according to UNSW timetable.
Block Test 1, Thursday 5-6:30pm Week 3: covers Topics 1-2 from Weeks 1-2.
Block Test 2, Thursday 5-6:30pm in Week 7: covers Topics 3-5 from Weeks 3-5
Block Test 3, Thursday 5-6:30pm in Week 10: covers Topics 6-8 from Weeks 7-9
Expectations include mathematical correctness, sufficient desciption of mathematical and
technical process such that the marker can follow the procedure taken.
There are no supplementary block tests. If you miss the block test, you must apply for Special
Consideration through the University. All special considerations lodged more than 48 hours after
the test date will be rejected without exception. If Special Consideration is granted, the student
will have the weighting of the missed Block Test added to the weighting of the final exam.
Assessment Length
45 minutes
Submission notes
Response sheets handed in at end of test. Please write neatly and set out all mathematics
clearly. You will be marked on your ability to demonstrate to the marker that you understand the
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solution process.
Assessment information
Total number of block test questions over the term is 8, one for each topic, and equivalent in total
to the final exam.
Assignment submission Turnitin type
This is not a Turnitin assignment
Generative AI Permission Level
No Assistance
This assessment is designed for you to complete without the use of any generative AI. You are
not permitted to use any generative AI tools, software or service to search for or generate
information or answers.
For more information on Generative AI and permitted use please see here.
UNSW approved calculators only.
There are no supplementary Block Tests
MECH: Technical report for laboratory experiments
Assessment Overview
The lab assignment will be assessing students' ability to apply their theoretical knowledge of
solid
mechanics to experimental results then document their work in a professional report.
Assignment and Lab report. Expectations for marks to be awarded included professional
documentation of description, equations, diagrams, figures and referencing.
Course Learning Outcomes
CLO3 : Demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly and precisely about technical matters
related to the Mechanics of Solids, that includes mathematical, graphical and diagrammatic
elements.
CLO4 : Accomplish practical tasks that require the application of knowledge of the
Mechanics of Solids.
CLO5 : Demonstrate professional communication that includes mathematical, graphical and
diagrammatic elements.
Detailed Assessment Description
Lab-based assignments and report, maximum 10-page length, worth 12 marks. This will be
marked based on professional report writing standards, analysis of data, professional
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presentation of equations, graphs, tables and diagrams. Marks and feedback returned within two
weeks.
Assessment Length
10 pages maximum
Submission notes
Submit via Teams Assignments
Assessment information
We will provide general notes on report writing techniques.
Assignment submission Turnitin type
This is not a Turnitin assignment
Generative AI Permission Level
Simple Editing Assistance
In completing this assessment, you are permitted to use standard editing and referencing
functions in the software you use to complete your assessment. These functions are described
below. You must not use any functions that generate or paraphrase passages of text or other
media, whether based on your own work or not.
If your Convenor has concerns that your submission contains passages of AI-generated text or
media, you may be asked to account for your work. If you are unable to satisfactorily
demonstrate your understanding of your submission you may be referred to UNSW Conduct &
Integrity Office for investigation for academic misconduct and possible penalties.
For more information on Generative AI and permitted use please see here.
Lab reports are desriptions of how the lab was undertaken by you, analysis of data that you
obtained, and conclusion of phenomena observed by you. Using AI to add filler text will lose you
marks, we want only the minimum number of words required to descirbe your authentic
experience, observations, and insights. Large language models such as ChatGPT are trained
from generic information on the internet, none of which is what we are asking you to provide.
Remember: if generative AI can pump it out, we can Google it the same information, adding in
this is not only utterly worthless, it is also a waste of the reader's (marker's) time and thus will
lose you marks.
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MECH: Final Examination
Assessment Overview
Nominally two hour final exam held during the end of term examination period. All content may
be assessed in the exam. One questions per week's topic making a total of eight questions in the
exam. A hurdle requirement means students must pass the final exam in order to pass the
course, regardless of total marks. Students who achieve a total score in the course of over 50%
but also fail the final exam will receive a UF grade, standing for 'Unsatisfactory Fail'.
Course Learning Outcomes
CLO1 : Represent physical systems in a manner to sufficiently capture the structural elements
required to perform an engineering stress/strain analysis.
CLO2 : Discern the relevant principles that must be applied to ascertain stress/strain or load/
deflection states of engineering systems and discriminate between relevant and irrelevant
information in the context.
Detailed Assessment Description
Final exam will be 8 Questions, one for each of the Topics 1-8 from Weeks 1-5 and 7-9. The final
exam is held in person using pen and paper in an invigilated environment. Calculators will be
permitted.
• Use the basic concepts from each of the eight topics across eight exam questions with equal
weighting
• Systematic approach to outline the steps for a problem and use the necessary fundamental
concepts covered in the lectures and problem solving sessions
• Correctness of the solution with the aid of necessary diagrams/sketches and the use of
appropriate units
• A pass in this course requires a mark of 40% in the final examination and 50% in the course
overall
Assessment Length
2 hours
Submission notes
Final exam is in person during the exam period
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Assessment information
Closed book, bring UNSW approved calculator and pen/pencil/ruler/eraser
Assignment submission Turnitin type
This is not a Turnitin assignment
Hurdle rules
40% in the final exam is required to pass the course.
Generative AI Permission Level
No Assistance
This assessment is designed for you to complete without the use of any generative AI. You are
not permitted to use any generative AI tools, software or service to search for or generate
information or answers.
For more information on Generative AI and permitted use please see here.
There will be a supplementary exam
General Assessment Information
Assessments in the course are designed to give complete feedback to students on 100% of the
course content prior to the final exam.
Grading Basis
Standard
Requirements to pass course
Students must pass the final exam to pass the course. Students attaining less than 40% in the
final exam will fail the course with a UF (Unsatisfactory Fail) on their transcript.
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Course Schedule
Teaching Week/Module
Activity Type
Content
Week 0 : 26 May - 1 June
Reading
It is recommended to revise ENGG1300 content.
Week 1 : 2 June - 8 June
Lecture
W1 Lectures: Course introduction, the concept of stress and strain Class quiz
(1.5 marks)
Workshop
PSS1: Stress and strain
Lecture
W2 Lectures: Mechanical properties of materials Class quiz (1.5 marks)
Workshop
PSS2: Mechanical properties
PSS1 Hand-ins due (1.5 marks)
Lecture
W3 Lectures: Axial loading and axial deformation Class quiz (1.5 marks)
Workshop
PSS3: Axial loading
PSS2 Hand-ins due (1.5 marks)
Assessment
Block Test 1: On W1 and W2 content, 2 questions (6 Marks) Thursday 5-6pm
Lecture
W4 Lectures: Geometric properties of structural components Class quiz (1.5
marks)
Workshop
PSS4: Geometric properties
PSS3 Hand-ins due (1.5 marks)
Lecture
W5 Lectures: Torsional loading and deformation Class quiz (1.5 marks)
Workshop
PSS5: Torsion
PSS4 Hand-ins due (1.5 marks)
Laboratory
Lab assignment opens
Week 6 : 7 July - 13 July
Reading
Flex week, no lectures
Week 7 : 14 July - 20 July
Lecture
W7 Lectures: Beam bending - beam theory and stress analysis of beams under
bending load Class quiz (1.5 marks)
Workshop
PSS6: Beam bending
PSS5 Hand-ins due (1.5 marks)
Assessment
Lab Assignment due Monday 5pm
Assessment
Block Test 2: On W3-5 content,3 questions (9 Marks) Thursday 5-6pm
Lecture
W8 Lectures: Stress-strain transformation using Mohr's circle and
transforamtion equations Class quiz (1.5 marks)
Workshop
PSS7: Stress-strain transformation
PSS6 Hand-ins due (1.5 marks)
Lecture
W9 Lectures: Beam deflection and indeterminate beam bending Class quiz (1.5
marks)
Workshop
PSS8: Beam deflection
PSS7 Hand-ins due (1.5 marks)
Lecture
W10 Lectures: Exam revision
Workshop
PSS9: Revision
PSS8 Hand-ins due (1.5 marks)
Assessment
Block Test 3: On W7-9 content,3 questions (9 Marks) Thursday 5-6pm
Week 2 : 9 June - 15 June
Week 3 : 16 June - 22 June
Week 4 : 23 June - 29 June
Week 5 : 30 June - 6 July
Week 8 : 21 July - 27 July
Week 9 : 28 July - 3 August
Week 10 : 4 August - 10 August
Attendance Requirements
Marks are awarded for activities during all classes. Student that have clashes are not permitted
to enrol. Students who enrol with clashes outside of university should disenrol on their own
accord.
General Schedule Information
One topic is covered completely in each week from Weeks 1-5 and Weeks 7-9. Eight weeks total
for eight topics and and eight-question final exam.
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Course Resources
Prescribed Resources
Mechanics of Materials (10th Edition SI) by RC Hibbeler
Recommended Resources
Students are recommended to complete the Study Problems in the PSS Workbooks on their own
in preparation for each Block Test
Additional Costs
There are no additional costs for this course.
Course Evaluation and Development
ENGG2400 is a constantly evolving course based on formal and informal student feedback, as
well as observation an data. Students are always encouraged to contact the convenor or
demonstrators for suggestions or general feedback on the course.
Staff Details
Position
Name
Convenor
David Keller
mann
Head
demonstrator
Administrator
Email
Location
Phone
Availability
Equitable Learning
Services Contact
Primary
Contact
Ainsworth
Building
After lectures
each week
Yes
Yes
Chen Qian
Ainsworth
Building
Teams
Yes
No
Matthew Den
g
Ainsworth
Building
On Teams
No
No
Other Useful Information
Academic Information
I. Special consideration and supplementary assessment
If you have experienced an illness or misadventure beyond your control that will interfere with
your assessment performance, you are eligible to apply for Special Consideration prior to, or
within 3 working days of, submitting an assessment or sitting an exam.
Please note that UNSW has a Fit to Sit rule, which means that if you sit an exam, you are
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declaring yourself fit enough to do so and cannot later apply for Special Consideration.
For details of applying for Special Consideration and conditions for the award of supplementary
assessment, please see the information on UNSW’s Special Consideration page.
II. Administrative matters and links
All students are expected to read and be familiar with UNSW guidelines and polices. In particular,
students should be familiar with the following:
Attendance
UNSW Email Address
Special Consideration
Exams
Approved Calculators
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Equitable Learning Services
III. Equity and diversity
Those students who have a disability that requires some adjustment in their teaching or learning
environment are encouraged to discuss their study needs with the course convener prior to, or at
the commencement of, their course, or with the Equity Officer (Disability) in the Equitable
Learning Services. Issues to be discussed may include access to materials, signers or notetakers, the provision of services and additional exam and assessment arrangements. Early
notification is essential to enable any necessary adjustments to be made.
IV. Professional Outcomes and Program Design
Students are able to review the relevant professional outcomes and program designs for their
streams by going to the following link: https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/student-life/
student-resources/program-design.
Note: This course outline sets out the description of classes at the date the Course Outline is
published. The nature of classes may change during the Term after the Course Outline is published.
Moodle or your primary learning management system (LMS) should be consulted for the up-to-date
class descriptions. If there is any inconsistency in the description of activities between the
University timetable and the Course Outline/Moodle/LMS, the description in the Course Outline/
Moodle/LMS applies.
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Academic Honesty and Plagarism
UNSW has an ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of learning informed by academic
integrity. All UNSW students have a responsibility to adhere to this principle of academic
integrity. Plagiarism undermines academic integrity and is not tolerated at UNSW. Plagiarism at
UNSW is defined as using the words or ideas of others and passing them off as your own.
Plagiarism is a type of intellectual theft. It can take many forms, from deliberate cheating to
accidentally copying from a source without acknowledgement. UNSW has produced a website
with a wealth of resources to support students to understand and avoid plagiarism, visit:
student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism. The Learning Centre assists students with understanding
academic integrity and how not to plagiarise. They also hold workshops and can help students
one-on-one.
You are also reminded that careful time management is an important part of study and one of
the identified causes of plagiarism is poor time management. Students should allow sufficient
time for research, drafting and the proper referencing of sources in preparing all assessment
tasks.
Repeated plagiarism (even in first year), plagiarism after first year, or serious instances, may also
be investigated under the Student Misconduct Procedures. The penalties under the procedures
can include a reduction in marks, failing a course or for the most serious matters (like plagiarism
in an honours thesis or contract cheating) even suspension from the university. The Student
Misconduct Procedures are available here:
www.gs.unsw.edu.au/policy/documents/studentmisconductprocedures.pdf
Submission of Assessment Tasks
Work submitted late without an approved extension by the course coordinator or delegated
authority is subject to a late penalty of five percent (5%) for that assessment item.
The late penalty is applied per calendar day (including weekends and public holidays) that the
assessment is overdue. There is no pro-rata of the late penalty for submissions made part way
through a day. This is for all assessments where a penalty applies.
Work submitted after five days (120 hours) will not be accepted and a mark of zero will be
awarded for that assessment item.
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For some assessment items, a late penalty may not be appropriate. These will be clearly
indicated in the course outline, and such assessments will receive a mark of zero if not
completed by the specified date. Examples include:
Weekly online tests or laboratory work worth a small proportion of the subject mark;
Exams, peer feedback and team evaluation surveys;
Online quizzes where answers are released to students on completion;
Professional assessment tasks, where the intention is to create an authentic assessment that
has an absolute submission date; and,
Pass/Fail assessment tasks.
Faculty-specific Information
Engineering Student Support Services – The Nucleus - enrolment, progression checks, clash
requests, course issues or program-related queries
Engineering Industrial Training – Industrial training questions
UNSW Study Abroad – study abroad student enquiries (for inbound students)
UNSW Exchange – student exchange enquiries (for inbound students)
UNSW Future Students – potential student enquiries e.g. admissions, fees, programs, credit
transfer
Phone
(+61 2) 9385 8500 – Nucleus Student Hub
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