Master of Engineering (Structural)

AIMS

This subject will focus on how risk analysis and management principles and techniques can be applied to engineering projects. The subject introduces a range of risk analysis techniques, which are put in the context of engineering projects and analysed using the framework of the risk standard (AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009). Risk is a fundamental concept that is applied to every engineering project, whether it is ascertaining the risk of health impacts of water treatment processes, prevention of loss of life by flood mitigation projects, or catastrophic losses caused by the failure of structure in earthquakes or storms.
The subject is of particular relevance to students wishing to establish a career in Engineering management, but is also of relevance to a range of engineering design disciplines where design for the total life cycle of the product or infrastructure should be considered.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include: an introduction to the history of engineering failures; the forms of risk and risk identification; project risk analysis; the sociological implications of acceptable risk; approaches to risk management, monitoring for compliance, risk perception and design implications.

The aim of this subject is to provide an introduction to modelling the stresses and deformations that occur when axial, torsional and flexural loads are applied to a body in static equilibrium, as well as the translational and rotational motions that eventuate in a body subject to different load applications. This material will be complemented with laboratory and project based approaches to learning.

The subject provides the basis for all the mechanical engineering subjects that follow. The calculations introduced in this subject are the most common type of calculations performed by professional mechanical engineers in all sectors of the industry.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics to be covered include free-body diagrams; equilibrium; force systems; stresses and strains; coordinate systems; statically indeterminate systems; flexure; bending under combine loads; torsion; power transmission; kinematics; relative motion; particle kinetics; impulse and momentum; vibration; rigid body motion; angular impulse and momentum; work and energy.

AIMS

This subject concerns the fundamental science of fluid flow relevant to a range of engineering applications, and is essential for specialisations relating to Chemical, Civil and Environmental Engineering.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include - Fluid statics, manometry, derivation of the continuity equation, mechanical energy balance, friction losses in a straight pipe, Newton’s law of viscosity, treatment of pipe roughness, valves and fittings; simple pipe network problems; principles of open channel flow; compressible flow, propagation of pressure wave, isothermal and adiabatic flow equations in a pipe, choked flow. Pumps – pump characteristics, centrifugal pumps, derivation of theoretical head, head losses leading to the actual pump head curve, calculating system head, determining the operating point of a pumping system, throttling for flow control, cavitation and NPSH, affinity laws and pump scale-up, introduction to positive displacement pumps; stirred tanks- radial, axial and tangential flow, type of agitators, vortex elimination, the standard tank configuration, power number and power curve, dynamic and geometric similarity in scale-up; Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, Multi-dimensional fluid flow-momentum flux, development of multi-dimensional equations of continuity and for momentum transfer, Navier-Stokes equations, application to tube flow, Couette flow, Stokes flow.

This subject introduces important mathematical methods required in engineering such as manipulating vector differential operators, computing multiple integrals and using integral theorems. A range of ordinary and partial differential equations are solved by a variety of methods and their solution behaviour is interpreted. The subject also introduces sequences and series including the concepts of convergence and divergence.

Topics include: Vector calculus, including Gauss’ and Stokes’ Theorems; sequences and series; Fourier series, Laplace transforms; systems of homogeneous ordinary differential equations, including phase plane and linearization for nonlinear systems; second order partial differential equations and separation of variables.

AIMS

This subject introduces the basic methods of structural analysis and the design of simple structures which are built of reinforced concrete, steel, timber and masonry. A feature of this subject is the integration of the design and analytical skills in dealing with contemporary structures that have an effective blending of materials for achieving satisfactory performance and economy in construction.

This subject consolidates basic structural theory and design abilities that underpin further specialised studies in structural design in engineering masters programs. It also gives students some basic capabilities to seek work experience in the engineering profession.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include: stress analysis in beams, deflection calculations using direct integration and virtual work methods, structural analyses of beams and frames by the force method, structural design of reinforced concrete beams and columns, structural design of steel beams, columns and ties, design of timber joists and masonry squat walls.

AIMS

In this subject students will be introduced to physical earth processes and their engineering applications and implications. In particular, the subject concentrates on engineering aspects of climate, water and soils and their interactions. Simplified modelling and relevant analytical techniques are introduced throughout the subject. The students will learn about fundamental material required for later year subjects such as CVEN30010 System Modelling and Design, CVEN90044 Engineering Site Characterisation and CVEN90050 Geotechnical Engineering.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Climate and seasonality; carbon cycle, global water cycle and catchment water cycle; rainfall, infiltration, runoff and evapotranspiration; catchment processes and stochastic rainfall modelling; soil identification; landscape forming processes; basic soil mechanics; earth engineering stability; revision.

AIMS

The subject aims to provide knowledge about construction materials, their properties, manufacturing processes and key issues associated with their applications in structural engineering. The subject also introduces the relationships between the structure of a material and its properties.

This subject must be taken early in the progression of training to be an engineer as it is a prerequisite of structural design subjects, and contributes valuable insights into the role of materials in other disciplines of engineering such as geotechnical engineering. It partners with ENGR20004 Engineering Mechanics to build a student's understanding of the way objects behave when load or deformations are applied to them.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

The subject is divided into three components: materials science; construction materials; and, mechanics of materials. In the material science component; basic concepts on inter-atomic bonding, microstructure of solids and generic material properties related to density, deformation, yield, ductility, fracture, toughness, susceptibility to corrosion and fatigue are introduced. In the construction materials component; the engineering applications of structural and light-gauge steel, concrete, masonry, timber, glass, fibre-glass and composites are covered. In the mechanics component; the basic concepts of stress-strain compatibility, composite actions, the concept of shear stress flow, basic two-dimensional stress analysis, strength and ductility and arching actions are covered.

This subject introduces students to the nature of engineering work and the engineering profession.  The one activity that professional engineers spend the majority of their work time undertaking is communication, whether in the verbal or written form.  One of the aims of this subject is to develop the critical skills of effective oral and written communications allowing them to learn how to effectively engage with stakeholders and clients.  Students will also learn about how engineers identify problems then formulate solutions.  Engineers need to be able to assimilate information from a range of sources.  In this subject, students will learn effective use of library and information resources, how to share information and to manage knowledge.  As engineers rarely work in isolation, students will develop their teamwork skills and will learn about meeting and group dynamics.  Other professional topics covered include ethics and academic honesty, and the engineering recruitment process.

The aim of this subject is to give participants both practical experience in, and theoretical insights into, elements of engineering innovation.

The subject is intense, challenging, experiential and requires significant self-direction. Participants will work on an innovation project sponsored by a local organisation.

A key theme is that the individual cannot be separated from the technical processes of engineering innovation. The impact of both individual and team contributions to the engineering and innovation processes will be examined in the context of real world challenges.

All project sponsors will require that students maintain the confidentiality of their proprietary information.  Some project sponsors will require students to assign any Intellectual Property created (other than Copyright in their Assessment Materials) to the University.  The projects may vary in the hours needed for a successful outcome.

This subject provides an overview of a wide range of issues relating to infrastructure engineering, with a particular focus on the environmental, economic, and equity of projects. Students will gain an understanding of the complexities of decision-making, including the role of government and regulation, considerations of intergenerational and intragenerational equity, and assessment of economic and environmental impacts. Students will learn about the influential role that infrastructure plays in shaping a society, and the effects both short-term and long-term. Students will also learn to apply various analytical methods to evaluate infrastructure projects from a sustainability perspective. Lectures and workshops will be structured around case studies of infrastructure projects. Workshops will also provide students with opportunities to enhance oral and written communication skills.

This subject is part of a trio of subjects that consider different aspects of infrastructure projects. Engineering Site Characterisation studies how to determine the character of a site for an infrastructure project. Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering examines how a project relates to the broader social, economic, and environmental context. Engineering Project Implementation concentrates on the operational aspects of implementing a project.

AIMS

Characterisation of sites is an important step in any engineering study or design. In order to devise a design for an engineering project a range of contextual factors need to be determined. These include intrinsic aspects of natural and anthropogenic history, such as geological context and former industrial use as well as it indigenous heritage. Extrinsic impacts on the site such as the risk of flood, fire, and earthquake also need to be well understood. Finally the relationship with the surrounding natural and social environment needs to be characterised to ensure cross boundary effects of the project implementation of post-commissioning use do not cause unpredicted adverse impacts. This subject will examine typical technical tools for characterising a site for infrastructure development, covering a range of the above aspects that are relevant to the site and development. In doing so students will learn the skills and an approach to conduct site assessments, including the ability to select the appropriate geo-environmental tools for site investigations.

This subject is part of a trio of subjects that consider different aspects of infrastructure projects; Engineering Site Characterisation studies how to determine the character of a site for a infrastructure project, Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering examines how the project relates to the broader social, political, economic and environmental context, while Engineering Project Implementation concentrates on the operational aspects of implementing a project. Together they form the basis of further professional infrastructure engineering subjects. Students who have completed this subject will have valuable skills to gain engineering work experience.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Geotechnical site investigations, noise evaluation and mitigation, natural disaster characterisation (fire, wind, earthquakes), introduction to surveying and levelling, in situ testing (soil), geophysical testing and fieldwork, and exposure to laboratory testing (compaction and permeability).

AIMS

This subject introduces more advanced methods of structural analysis and design, and their applications to the engineering of reinforced concrete and structural steel in compliance with the standards. Students will be given the opportunity to integrate the use of different materials into the design of contemporary structures through design projects. This subject would typically be that final subject in the sequence of structural engineering subjects for civil engineering students who do not want to specialise in structural engineering.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include: structural analyses of beams and frames by the stiffness matrix method; computer analysis using SPACEGASS; virtual work and influence line diagram; design of thin walled sections, structural design of reinforced concrete beams, slabs and columns; structural design of steel beams, columns and connections.

AIMS

Project management provides an organization with powerful tools that improve its ability to plan, organize and manage resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. In undertaking this subject students will explore the principles and distinct technical skills of engineering management that are needed to implement a project. The subject is of particular relevance to students wishing to establish a career in engineering project management, but is also of relevance to a range of engineering design disciplines where design for the total life cycle of the product or infrastructure should be considered. This subject is part of a trio of subjects that consider different aspects of infrastructure projects; Engineering Site Characterisation studies how to determine the character of a site for a infrastructure project, Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering examines how the a project relates to the broader social, political, economic and environmental context, while project implementation concentrates on the operational aspects of implementing a project.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include key aspects of the management principles, project planning & scheduling, management systems & control and management practices to enable execution of the project in a timely and financially prudent manner.

Note: This subject has been integrated with the Skills Towards Employment Program (STEP) and contains activities that can assist in the completion of the Engineering Practice Hurdle (EPH).

AIMS

The major objective of this unit is to develop an understanding of the procedures and processes involved in the design of structures made of structural steel, cold-formed steel, composites, timber or masonry, and be able to produce effective and economical design solutions through correct integration of these materials. This subject features simulated structural design exercises which involve participation by senior experienced practicing engineers. These exercises consist of both conceptual and detailed designs which consider constructability, functionality, sustainability as well as compliance with standards to ensure safety and serviceability.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Conceptual and preliminary design of structures and design parameters, structural analyses of frames and trusses by the stiffness matrix method, computer analysis by a commercial package, design of structural steel and connections, design of cable stayed bridges, engineering of cold-formed steel, structural design of concrete-steel composite beams, structural design of timber elements and connections.

Systems Modelling and Design is a capstone subject including components from hydrology, hydraulic engineering and geotechnical engineering. This subject contains a design project capsulising knowledge from all three areas. Students will be given briefings on related topics in hydrology, hydraulic engineering and geotechnical engineering in lectures and tutorials; but the emphasis is on self-learning and problem-solving. Students will gain an understanding of the principles governing the flow of water through soil and its consequent impact on failure of soil structures such as what occurs in landslides. Computer models to investigate these areas and laboratory experiments illustrating these phenomena will also be conducted. Students will also learn how to use the systems approach to solve engineering design problems. The application of the systems approach is illustrated via the major design project and complemented with optimisation techniques.

To complete the capstone design project, students are required to apply their knowledge in hydrology, hydraulics and geotechnical engineering to solve a number of design problems while considering multiple and sometimes conflicting design criteria. Students are required to prepare a technical report that documents the designs, relevant data, and result analysis. Both the technical knowledge (e.g. catchment modelling, water distribution system design, and seepage and slope modelling) and transferable skills (e.g. systems approach for problem solving, optimisation, trade-off analysis, data management, communication) obtained through this subject will prepare them for employment in the industry, as well as future study or research.

This subject builds on knowledge gained in subjects such as Engineering Mathematics, Fluid Mechanics and Earth Processes for Engineering and assumes a familiarity with concepts of sustainability and engineering systems. This subject also delivers introductory material for engineering graduate coursework subjects including Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Hydraulics and Quantitative Environmental Modelling.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Stresses in soils, permeability and seepage, flow nets, the effect of seepage on stability, slope stability principles, surface runoff, landslides, design and remediation, trade-off analysis in engineering design, optimisation techniques, the use of computer simulation models to solve engineering design problems.

AIMS

Soil and rock are among the most important civil engineering materials. They form the foundations of all structures, can be rearranged to provide a topography to suit particular needs like embankments for road and railways, can form a structure in its own right when used for levee banks or dam walls, or may need to be removed to allow access such as with tunnels and cuttings. Students completing this unit should understand how to make simplifications to complex soil conditions, how to establish strength/deformation characteristics of the soil and how to apply fundamental geomechanics knowledge learned in earlier units to solve problems involving the stability of an earth mass for these various situations. Graduates from this subject will be able to work under the guidance of a chartered engineer to design and supervise construction of a range of geotechnical structures such as foundations, roads, and retaining walls.

This subject builds directly on knowledge from a range of undergraduate and postgraduate subjects in the areas of mathematics, statistics, earth processes, and fluid mechanics. It also draws on knowledge of sustainability and management to provide context for problems.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include a detailed review of pore-water pressures and effective stress, soil strength and compressibility (direct shear and triaxial testing, and others), consolidation, compaction and their applications to geotechnical design in selected areas, rigid and flexible earth retaining structures, reinforced soil walls, pavements, introduction to liquefaction, and introduction to geothermal energy.

AIMS

This subject involves students learning the integrated process between design and construction by developing a proposal for a design & build project. An objective of the project is to help students explore the close relationship between design, constructability and construction. Students will develop a simplified design for an infrastructure project that includes a range of civil works such as earthworks, foundations, drainage, on-site concrete construction and cranage, and then propose solutions for construction that may require iteration of the design. The proposed solution would also address OH&S, environmental, and social sustainability issues inherent in areas such waste minimisation, noise and dust control in an project environmental maagement plan.

AIMS

This subject involves a major design project that concentrates on preparing a design proposal for a larger spatial scale infrastructure system such as a suburban precinct, a transport system for a small city, or a precinct level water and renewable energy supply system. The preparation of a feasibility study or conceptual design report will be the key deliverable for this subject. Students would work in small teams and receive guidance from experienced engineers in preparing the infrastructure design proposal, which would concentrate on scoping a design to meet societal needs.

AIMS

This subject involves a major design project that concentrates on conducting a more detailed design of a piece of civil infrastructure such as railway station, airport, school, sports stadium, shopping centre, etc. The design would have scope for structural solutions, site works, innovative energy and water supplies, etc., and would be based on a broad conceptual design proposal that has been given to the design team. The design proposal will be presented at a functional level where the broad specifications of the design and how it might be constructed are generated and evaluated, rather than detailed specifications required for construction.

AIMS

This subject provides the capstone experience for students in Infrastructure Engineering. Students will combine their expertise in interdisciplinary groups or as individuals to address real-world problems, typically in contact with industry.

Project topics will be advertised well in advance of commencement of the subject so that students can make an informed choice of topic and enrol early. Students must register their topic, group and supervisor before the subject commences.

Students with an average score of H1 in the previous 100 points of study and an interest in a PhD have the opportunity to undertake an individual research project.

Notes

Note 1: CVEN90064 IE Research Project 1 Part 1 and CVEN90065 IE Research Project 1 Part 2 must be taken in 2 consecutive semesters. Students may commence in either Semester 1 or Semester 2 and continue their enrolment in the consecutive semester.

Note 2: Students wishing to directly incorporate work done during a non-teaching period must qualify for doing an individual project and have the agreement of a project supervisor and subject coordinator. During the non-teaching period the student must maintain a journal, and review the online lectures, but all assessment will occur at the regular times during the teaching semester.

Note 3: Students and their supervisors must adhere to the University Code of Conduct for research, which may include obtaining human or animal research ethics approval.

Note 4: Students working in University laboratories must comply with OH&S requirements and may be required to undertake additional training such as Workshop Tools Training before access the labs.

Note 5: Students are advised to enrol in the subject at the earliest opportunity to ensure ease of communication prior to the start of semester.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

The first half semester addresses research training and comprises online lectures and tutorials with group homework on topics such as project development, literature review, methodology development, skill development, critical thinking, project documentation, reflective writing, and scientific writing. Students will practise these skills throughout their project topics with supervisors providing feedback on the results.

Students then continue the project within their groups and with regular progress meetings with their supervisor for the remainder of the year. The project culminates with students presenting their project and findings on a poster at a student expo, as an oral presentation, and also in written form in the style of a conference paper.

This subject has been integrated with the Skills Towards Employment Program (STEP) and contains activities that can assist in the completion of the Engineering Practice Hurdle (EPH).

Choice of Research Subject for the Master of Engineering

CVEN90047 is a semester long capstone research project taken over one semester.  It is less suited to research projects that are dependent on methodologies requiring experiments that take longer than 6 weeks to complete, field work, and problems involving research on humans (for example surveys).  It is more suited to methodologies involved computer simulations, analysis of pre-existing data, theoretical studies and shorter experimental programs.

CVEN90064/65 IE Research Project 1 Part 1 and Part 2 have the same assessment and learning outcomes at CVEN90047 but are taken over two consecutive semesters.  Students may commence in either Semester 1 or Semester 2 and continue their enrolment in the consecutive semester.  Because of the extended length and the possibility of work in the break between semesters students wanting to pursue a project that requires extra duration due to logistical issues should enrol in CVEN90064/65

Refer to CVEN90064 IE Research Project 1 Part 1 for details

AIMS

This subject provides the capstone experience for students in Infrastructure Engineering. Students will combine their expertise in interdisciplinary groups or as individuals to address real-world problems, typically in contact with industry.

Project topics will be advertised well in advance of commencement of the subject so that students can make an informed choice of topic and enrol early. Students must register their topic, group and supervisor before the subject commences.

Students with an average score of H1 in the previous 100 points of study and an interest in a PhD have the opportunity to undertake an individual research project.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

The first half of semester addresses research training and comprises online lectures and tutorials with group homework on topics such as project development, literature review, methodology development, skill development, critical thinking, project documentation, reflective writing, and scientific writing. Students will practise these skills throughout their project topics with supervisors providing feedback on the results.

Students then continue the project within their groups and with regular progress meetings with their supervisor for the remainder of the year. The project culminates with students presenting their project and findings on a poster at a student expo, an oral presentation at a student conference, and also in written form in the style of a conference paper.

This subject has been integrated with the Skills Towards Employment Program (STEP) and contains activities that can assist in the completion of the Engineering Practice Hurdle (EPH).

Notes

Note 1: Students wishing to directly incorporate work done during a non-teaching period must qualify for doing an individual project and have the agreement of a project supervisor and subject coordinator. During the non-teaching period the student must maintain a journal, and review the online research techniques lectures, but all assessment will occur at the regular times during the teaching semester.

Note 2: Students and their supervisors must adhere to the University Code of Conduct for research, which may include obtaining human or animal research ethics approval.

Note 3: Students working in University laboratories must comply with OH&S requirements and may be required to undertake additional training such as Workshop Tools Training before access the labs.

Note 4: Students are advised to enrol in the subject at the earliest opportunity to ensure ease of communication prior to the start of semester.

Choice of Research Subject for the Master of Engineering

CVEN90047 is a semester long capstone research project taken over one semester.  It is less suited to research projects that are dependent on methodologies requiring experiments that take longer than 6 weeks to complete, field work, and problems involving research on humans (for example surveys).  It is more suited to methodologies involved computer simulations, analysis of pre-existing data, theoretical studies and shorter experimental programs.

CVEN90064/65 IE Research Project 1 Part 1 and Part 2 have the same assessment and learning outcomes at CVEN90047 but are taken over two consecutive semesters.  Students may commence in either Semester 1 or Semester 2 and continue their enrolment in the consecutive semester.  Because of the extended length and the possibility of work in the break between semesters students wanting to pursue a project that requires extra duration due to logistical issues should enrol in CVEN90064/65