Students

CIVL2301 – Structural Analysis

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor & Lecturer
Tohid Ghanbari-Ghazijahani
tohid.ghanbari@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
9WW
To be confirmed by email.
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
CIVL1001 or MECH1001
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit prepares students for the structural analysis of elements such as beams, frames, and trusses, equipping them with foundational skills for structural design. Students will first develop an understanding of determinate structures before analysing indeterminate structures for Civil Engineering applications. Topics include structural analysis with a focus on internal force calculations (e.g., shear force, bending moment) and the development of diagrams. Energy methods, deformation compatibility, displacements, deformations, and influence lines are also covered for structures subjected to various forces.

This unit serves as an essential foundation for design subjects, including steel, concrete, and timber structures.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Quality Education; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Sustainable Cities and Communities

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Convey a sound knowledge of the theory, concepts, and principles for analysing determinate structures.
  • ULO2: Analyse and compute reactions and internal forces (e.g. axial forces, bending moments, shear forces), and displacements and deflection with the focus on Civil Engineering structures. 
  • ULO3: Utilise appropriate principles (e.g. energy principles, deformation compatibility), and methods (e.g. force methods, and the slope-deflection method) to analyse indeterminate structures for Civil Engineering applications.
  • ULO4: Establish relationships between concepts in the structural analysis process and their practical applications, with a focus on Civil Engineering structures.

General Assessment Information

See details of the assessments on the iLearn page.

Any request for a late submission must be supported by an approved Special Consideration application with sufficient supporting evidence and will be assessed in accordance with Macquarie University's policies.

 

Grading and passing requirements for the unit

To pass this unit, a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more for the unit (i.e., get a passing grade P/ CR/ D/ HD).

For more details about grading, please refer to the policies and procedures section.

Late submissions

Assignments must be undertaken/submitted at the time indicated in the unit guide. Should these activities be missed due to illness or misadventure, students may apply for Special Consideration.

Late assessments are not accepted in this unit unless a Special Consideration has been submitted and approved.

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable, and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the written assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Final Project 30% No 06/11/2026 Group No Open
Problem set 20% No 30/10/2026 Individual Yes Open
Final Exam 50% No TBA Individual No Observed

Final Project

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 06/11/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Students will demonstrate their ability to apply classroom learning in practical contexts of observing and analysing structures.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Convey a sound knowledge of the theory, concepts, and principles for analysing determinate structures.
  • Analyse and compute reactions and internal forces (e.g. axial forces, bending moments, shear forces), and displacements and deflection with the focus on Civil Engineering structures. 
  • Utilise appropriate principles (e.g. energy principles, deformation compatibility), and methods (e.g. force methods, and the slope-deflection method) to analyse indeterminate structures for Civil Engineering applications.
  • Establish relationships between concepts in the structural analysis process and their practical applications, with a focus on Civil Engineering structures.

Problem set

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 30/10/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Students will be provided with a problem set to complete. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Convey a sound knowledge of the theory, concepts, and principles for analysing determinate structures.
  • Analyse and compute reactions and internal forces (e.g. axial forces, bending moments, shear forces), and displacements and deflection with the focus on Civil Engineering structures. 
  • Utilise appropriate principles (e.g. energy principles, deformation compatibility), and methods (e.g. force methods, and the slope-deflection method) to analyse indeterminate structures for Civil Engineering applications.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: TBA
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

You will undertake a final examination during the formal examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Convey a sound knowledge of the theory, concepts, and principles for analysing determinate structures.
  • Analyse and compute reactions and internal forces (e.g. axial forces, bending moments, shear forces), and displacements and deflection with the focus on Civil Engineering structures. 
  • Utilise appropriate principles (e.g. energy principles, deformation compatibility), and methods (e.g. force methods, and the slope-deflection method) to analyse indeterminate structures for Civil Engineering applications.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery: Weekly Lecture and Workshop sessions.

Methods of Communication: Communication for this unit will be conducted through your Macquarie University email account and announcements posted on iLearn. If you have any questions, please contact the unit convenor directly via the email address provided on the iLearn site.

Source: the class Lecture Notes and materials provided on the iLearn page.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

There are no significant changes compared with previous offerings of the unit. However, any updates or improvements made during the session will be clearly communicated to students via iLearn. Students are expected to regularly monitor iLearn and ensure they follow the most up-to-date information and learning materials provided for the current offering of the unit.

Engineers Australia Competencies Mapping

EA Competency Standard Competency Element Unit Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Skill Base 1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
  1.2 Conceptual understanding of underpinning maths, analysis, statistics, computing. ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
  1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge. ULO2, ULO3
  1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions.  
  1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice. ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
  1.6 Understanding of scope, principles, norms, accountabilities of sustainable engineering practice.  
Engineering Application Ability 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex problem solving. ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
  2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. ULO2, ULO3
  2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. ULO3, ULO4
  2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.  
Professional and Personal Attributes 3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability.  
  3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. ULO4
  3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. ULO3, ULO4
  3.4 Professional use and management of information.  
  3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.  
  3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership.  

 

Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook