Course Outline
MEC303 Computational Mechanics
Course Coordinator:Tongfei Tian (ttian@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
2025Semester 2
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
Computer aided engineering (CAE) is now a common step in the design of engineering structures. This course builds on the knowledge and skills gained in Mechanics of Materials and Dynamics 1. You will gain an understanding of the operation and limitations of CAE systems. You will have the opportunity to develop the skills required to design such structures and systems. Material presented includes a brief discussion on the architecture of CAE systems, numerical methods and finite element methods. Considerable emphasis is placed on the appropriate use of the finite element method in the design process.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – Asynchronous Learning Material: Students are required to watch a pre-recorded learning material in Canvas | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On Campus Tutorials: Students are asked to solve the tutorial questions based on the theories and methods in the learning materials | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Laboratory 1 – On Campus Lab: Students will practice the finite element analysis software in the PC labs | 2hrs | Week 2 | 12 times |
Course Topics
• Matrix algebra
• Finite element method
• Discretisation and other approximations
• Stiffness and displacement methods
• Bars beams, truss and linear statics analysis
• Plane stress and plane strain
• Frame and grids
• Thermal stress
What level is this course?
300 Level (Graduate)
What is the unit value of this course?
12 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
| 1 | Explain the concepts and principles used in the formulation and application of the finite element method. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker |
1.1, 1.2 |
| 2 | Formulate, implement, and document solutions to solve simple engineering problems using the finite element method. |
Empowered Engaged |
2.1, 2.2 |
| 3 | Identify and use appropriate software packages to assist in the solution of a range of common engineering problems. |
Creative and critical thinker Engaged |
2.1, 2.2 |
| 4 | Evaluate the performance of an existing design using computer aided engineering software to evaluate the validity of the model and solution in relation to the original problem specification . |
Empowered Engaged |
1.6, 2.3 |
| 5 | Communicate concepts in computational mechanics in writing. | Knowledgeable |
3.2, 3.4 |
* Competencies by Professional Body
| CODE | COMPETENCY |
| Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
| 1.1 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. |
| 1.2 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. |
| 1.6 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. |
| 2.1 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. |
| 2.2 | Engineering Application Ability: Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. |
| 2.3 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. |
| 3.2 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. |
| 3.4 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Professional use and management of information. |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
ENG227 or MEC227 or MCH200 and (ENG205 or MEC205 or MEC2401) and (ENG221 or MEC221) and enrolled in Program SC405 or SC411
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
MEC3302 or ENG303
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
Not applicable
Microcredential Information
Not applicable
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Details of early feedback on progress
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Quiz/zes | Individual | 30% | 1000 words |
Refer to Format | Online Test (Quiz) |
| All | 2 | Report | Individual | 30% | 1500 words |
Week 10 | Online Submission |
| All | 3 | Report | Individual | 40% | 2500 words |
Exam Period | Online Submission |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Tutorial Exercises | ||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to demonstrate your understanding of discretisation and finite elements and use this knowledge to solve structural problems. |
|||||||||||||||
| Product: | Quiz/zes | |||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||||||||
| Format: | Submit: Week 4, week 8, week 12 This task is to ensure that you understand the theoretical basis for discretisation and finite element methods. Prepare the written solutions to cover problems from concepts covered in Computational Mechanics. |
|||||||||||||||
| Criteria: |
|
|||||||||||||||
| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies |
|||||||||||||||
| All - Assessment Task 2:FEA Problems with simple systems | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | The goal is to apply engineering theory to evaluate simple systems and propose and justify solutions to structural problems. |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Product: | Report | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Format: | You will be given a set of problems representing a system of static structure. You will analyse the system using the finite element method and a CAE tool. This includes the accurate use of discretisation and an analysis of stress and strain. The analysis will assist you to formulate possible solutions for improvement to the structure |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| All - Assessment Task 3:Mini Project | ||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | The goal is to evaluate the performance of an existing design using computer-aided engineering software to evaluate the validity of the model and solution in relation to the original problem specification |
|||||||||||||||
| Product: | Report | |||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||||||||
| Format: | You will provide a written report detailing: Solid computer model application of stress and thermal stress design specification |
|||||||||||||||
| Criteria: |
|
|||||||||||||||
| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies |
|||||||||||||||
Directed study hours
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Schedule
| Period and Topic | Activities |
1 |
Revising mechanics of materials concepts |
2 |
Review of Matrix notation |
3 |
Finite element methods |
4 |
Stiffness and displacement |
5 |
Stiffness and displacement |
6 |
Adapting problems for computer solution |
7 |
Truss analysis using stiffness method |
8 |
Beam analysis using stiffness method |
9 |
Frame and Grid equations |
10 |
Plane stress and plane strain stiffness equations |
11 |
FEM of plane stress and plane strain |
12 |
Thermal stress and FEM |
13 |
Review |
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Required | Daryl L. Logan | 2016 | A First Course in the Finite Element Method, SI Edition | 6th Ed | Cengage Learning |
Specific requirements
N/A
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconductAssessment: Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
- In person:
- UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
- UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
- UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
- UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
- UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
- UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au