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Overview

Course Prescription

Complex material behaviour and structural analysis, extending capability from two to three dimensions. States of stress and strain at a point in a general three-dimensional stress system. Generalised stress–strain relations for linearly elastic isotropic materials. Failure theories for ductile and brittle materials, elementary plasticity, and fatigue. Analytical techniques and numerical analysis of complex mechanical elements.

Course Overview

The course extends knowledge provided in MECHENG 242, to the analysis of 3D states of stress and strain, with an initial focus on elasticity. Non-linear material behaviour is introduced, considering yield and plasticity. Knowledge of material strength is deepened; considering yield theories for ductile materials, fracture mechanics of brittle materials, and fatigue. Application is made to mechanical elements, including complex beams, and axi-symmetric systems (thick-walled pressure vessels). Numerical analysis is introduced, with students applying Finite Element Analysis to mechanical elements, via a computer-based laboratory and an assignment.

Mechanics of Materials

States of stress and strain at a point; analysis of stress under conditions of plane stress and plane strain; strain rosettes; generalised stress-strain relationships for linearly elastic and isotropic materials. Theories of yield.


Introduction to Numerical Methods

Introduction to Finite Element Analysis (FEA), including principles of computation. FEA model development. Results interpretation and validation.


Machine Elements: Beams

Asymmetrical or skew bending. Thin-walled open sections and shear centre.


Machine Elements: Thick-walled Pressure Vessels 

Stresses and strains in axi-symmetric systems, as applied to thick-walled pressure cylinders. Initial yield and plastic collapse in pressure vessels.


Non-linear Stress-strain Behaviour

Non-linear elasticity. Elementary plasticity, and yield theories for ductile materials.


Fracture in Brittle Materials

Stress concentration due to geometric features. Failure mechanisms in brittle materials. Introduction to linear elastic fracture mechanics; fracture toughness. Crack growth under repeated or cyclic loading.


Fatigue in Ductile Materials

Introduction to material fatigue. Environmental and design influences. Fatigue under uni-axial and multi-axial stress states. Cumulative damage.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For each week in this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1 hour clinic, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on problem sheets, assignments and test and exam preparation.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Prerequisite

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs to complete credit for components of the course.
Lectures and the clinic will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The course may include live online events including group discussions and tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Health and Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the University's Health and Safety policy.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

No late submissions are allowed.

A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy.

Students must sit the Exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.

In addition, a minimum mark of 40% must be obtained in the Exam to pass the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
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10

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type12345678910

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Students found the clinics, FEA workshops, worked examples/study aids and hands-on laboratory as beneficial to their studies. They reported that the FEA Assignment lacked clarity, derivations in tests were criticized as ineffective and unfair, and the lecture material was cluttered and difficult to read. In 2026 the invigilated assessments will be reconsidered, FEA workshop sizes will be halved and more clarity set out in the FEA Assignment. In addition, hand-written problem solutions will be improved.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor. Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.