Faculty of Humanities 

School of Design and the Built Environment

Unit Outline

BLDG1003 Structures
Semester 1, 2020

Unit study package code: BLDG1003 

Mode of study: Internal
Tuition pattern summary: Note: For any specific variations to this tuition pattern and for precise
information refer to the Learning Activities section.
Lecture: 1 x 1 Hours Weekly
Tutorial: 1 x 2 Hours Weekly
This unit does not have a fieldwork component.
Credit Value: 25.0
Pre-requisite units: Nil

Co-requisite units: Nil

Anti-requisite units: Nil

Result type: Grade/Mark

Approved incidental fees: Information about approved incidental fees can be obtained from our website.
Visit fees.curtin.edu.au/incidental_fees.cfm for details.
Unit coordinator:

Title: Dr
Name: Behrouz Khabbaz Beheshti
Phone: +61 8 9266 9266
Email: [email protected]
Location: Building: 216 - Room: 202

Teaching Staff: Name: Behrouz Khabbaz Beheshti

Phone: -
Email: [email protected]
Location: Building: 216 - Room: -

Name: Hamid Karami

Phone: -
Email: [email protected]
Location: Building: 201 - Room: -
Name: Noosha Mosadegh
Phone: -
Email: [email protected]
Location: Building: 201 - Room: -

Administrative contact: Name: DBE Teaching Support

Phone: please contact by email

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities 
School of Design and the Built
Environment

Email: [email protected]
Location: Building: 201 - Room: 320

Learning Management System: Blackboard (lms.curtin.edu.au)

Acknowledgement of Country
We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous Elders, custodians, their descendants and kin of this land past and
present. The Centre for Aboriginal Studies aspires to contribute to positive social change for Indigenous
Australians through higher education and research.

Syllabus
In this unit, students will be introduced to basic structural mechanics, geo-mechanics, and loadings on buildings.
Students will develop an understanding of the design of foundations and basic structural elements.

Introduction
Welcome to the Unit of Structure. In this unit, you will learn about the basic structural mechanics,
geomechanics, loadings on buildings and the design of foundation and basic structural elements. This unit focuses
on simple structural engineering calculations for the structure of buildings, e.g. column and beam.
Some basic mathematical skills are required for this unit.

Unit Learning Outcomes

All graduates of Curtin University achieve a set of six Graduate Capabilities during their course of study. These
inform an employer that, through your studies, you have acquired discipline knowledge and a range of other skills
and capabilities which employers would value in a professional setting. Each unit in your course addresses the
Graduate Capabilities through a clearly identified set of learning outcomes. They form a vital part in the process
referred to as assurance of learning. The learning outcomes notify you of what you are expected to know,
understand or be able to do in order to be successful in this unit. Each assessment for this unit is carefully
designed to test your knowledge of one or more of the unit learning outcomes. On successfully completing all of
the assessments you will have achieved all of these learning outcomes.
Your course has been designed so that on graduating you will have achieved all of Curtin's Graduate Capabilities
through the assurance of learning processes in each unit.
Graduate Capabilities
On successful completion of this unit students can:
addressed
1 Identify the principles of basic structural mechanics

2 Apply core principles of basic structural mechanics to prepare a simple

structural design
3 Analyse the stability of a simple structural design

4 Select appropriate forms of structural design that meet best practice

requirements
Curtin's Graduate Capabilities
Apply discipline
Innovative, creative and Effective communicators
knowledge, principles
entrepreneurial with digital competency
and concepts

Culturally competent to engage

Globally engaged and Industry connected and
respectfully with local First Peoples
responsive career capable
and other diverse cultures

Find out more about Curtin's Graduate Capabilities at the Curtin Learning and Teaching website: clt.curtin.edu.au

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities 
School of Design and the Built
Environment

Learning Activities
Students will have a lecture (1 hour/week) and a workshop (2 hours/week). Student will have access to
lecture material via Blackboard. In addition to lecture materials, students will be expected to take any additional
notes themselves that might result from lectures or in class discussions. There is an expectation that students
will undertake a reasonable amount of self-direct learning to supplement the coursework. Lecture notes alone
cannot be considered sufficient knowledge to pass this unit. Self-directed learning can be in the form of additional
reading (i.e. from the recommended reading list), reading professional journals, discussion with peers and other
industry personnel and ultimately in watching and listening to the environment around you. The Program
Calendar provides the broad topics that are covered in lectures each week.

Learning Resources
Other resources
You do not have to purchase the following textbooks but you may like to refer to them. You do not have
to purchase the following textbooks but you may like to refer to them.

l Hanaor, A. 1998. Principles of Structures, Oxford: Blackwell Science.

l Holt, D., Kovacs, W. and Sheahan, C. 2011. An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, 2nd ed.
Upper Saddle River, NJ:Pearson.
l Amborse, J. and Tripeny, P. 2012. Building Structures, 3rd ed. Hoboken: Wiley.

Assessment

Assessment policy exemptions

l There are no exemptions to the assessment policy

Assessment schedule
Unit
Late Assessment
Value Learning
Task Date Due Assessments Extensions
% Outcome(s)
Accepted?* Considered?*
Assessed
Test 20% Week: 5 1,2 Yes Yes
1 Day: In-class
Time: In-class Test
Case study 30% Week: 11 2,3,4 Yes Yes
2 Day: 7 (Sunday)
Time: 23:59
Examination 50% Week: Centrally 1,2,3,4 No Yes
Scheduled Exam (16-
17)
3 Day: Centrally
Scheduled Exam
Time: Centrally
Scheduled Exam
*Please refer to the Late Assessment and the Assessment Extension sections below for specific details and
conditions.

Detailed information on assessment tasks

1. The in-class test is a closed book assessment. It will be based on the content of the lecture notes, material
and discussion covered from weeks 1 to 4.

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities 
School of Design and the Built
Environment

2. A detailed assignment will be issued in Week 6. This is a case study report involving the discussion on
the structural design of the building. Guidance to be provided in class and blackboard. (Remarks: the
report must be submitted through the Turnitin in your blackboard before the due date).
3. The examination is a closed book assessment. It will be based on the content of the lectures, material and
discussion for the whole semester. A Centrally scheduled exam will be held on any day or evening during
the two week examination period, with the exception of Sundays. Students should not make commitments
to any other activities over this period.
Examination Timetable: A draft timetable is published on the Curtin website six weeks prior to the
examination period, after which students will have one week to provide feedback to your Student Service
office, if necessary. A final timetable is published four weeks prior to the examination period with
venue allocations designated by surname – student must attend the venue they have been allocated to, or
risk
receiving a fine. A quick-link to the examinations timetable will be made available on the Curtin home page
close to the examination period, and a timetable will also be placed on the notice-board outside the
Student Service Centre, Building - 101. Although examination timetable information cannot be provided
over the phone, the student may contact the Examinations Office to clarify examination information. To find
more information, go to http://examinations.curtin.edu.au/students/

Pass requirements
In order to pass this unit, students are required to achieve an overall unit mark of 50 or higher; and meet all of the
unit learning outcomes.

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities 
School of Design and the Built
Environment

Assessment Moderation

Fair assessment through moderation

Moderation describes a quality assurance process to ensure that assessments are appropriate to the learning
outcomes, and that students work is evaluated consistently by assessors. Minimum standards for the moderation
of assessments are described in the Assessment and Student Progression Manual, available from
policies.curtin.edu.au/findapolicy/

Pre-marking moderation

l Assessment task details are provided to students in the unit outline or prior to the assessment task;
l Marking criteria are made available to students in the unit outline or when the assessment task is assigned;
and
l Assessors are provided with rubric/marking guide and sufficient information to ensure fair and consistent
evaluation of student work.

Intra-marking / Post-marking moderation

l Second marking or check second marking of a random sample of student work to check for consistent
application of marking criteria and standards;
l Second marking or check second marking of a sample of student work deemed to be at significant
thresholds (e.g. Pass/Fail, but could also include credit/distinction/high distinction, if appropriate);
l Second marking or check second marking student work deemed to be borderline (just above/below pass
mark); and
l Second marking or check second marking of a sample of outliers (high or low scoring assessments).

Late assessment
Where the submission of a late assessment is permitted, late penalties will be consistently applied in this unit.
Where a late assessment is permitted for an assessment item or the entirety of the unit (refer to the Assessment
Schedule table in this Unit Outline) and the student does not have an approved assessment extension:

1. For assessment items submitted within the first 24 hours after the due date/time, students will be penalised
by a deduction of 5% of the total marks allocated for the assessment task;
2. For each additional 24 hour period commenced an additional penalty of 10% of the total marks allocated
for the assessment item will be deducted; and
3. Assessment items submitted more than 168 hours late (7 calendar days) will receive a mark of zero.

Where late assessment is NOT permitted for an assessment item or the entirety of the unit (refer to the
Assessment Schedule table in this Unit Outline) and the student does not have an approved assessment extension:

1. All assessment items submitted after the due date/time will receive a mark of zero.

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities 
School of Design and the Built
Environment

Assessment extension
Where an application for an assessment extension is permitted for an assessment item(s) within this unit (refer to
the Assessment Schedule table in this Unit Outline):

1. A student who is unable to complete an assessment item by/on the due date/time as a result of exceptional
circumstances beyond the student’s control, may apply for an assessment extension on the Assessment
Extension Application Form as prescribed by the Academic Registrar. The form is available on the Forms
page at https://students.curtin.edu.au/essentials/forms-documents/forms/ and also within the student’s
OASIS (My Studies tab – Quick Forms) account.
2. The student will be expected to submit their application for an Assessment Extension with supporting
documentation:
a. Australian Campuses: via the online form
b. Offshore campuses: to the School representative nominated below
3. Timely submission of this information supports the assessment process. For applications that are declined,
delayed submission may have significant ramifications on the possible marks awarded.
4. An application may be accepted up to five working days after the due date/time of the assessment item
where the student is able to provide a verifiable explanation as to why they were not able to submit the
application prior to the assessment due date/time

Where an application for an assessment extension is NOT permitted for an assessment item(s) within this unit
(refer to the Assessment Schedule table in this Unit Outline):

1. All assessment items submitted after the due date/time will be subject to late penalties or receive a mark of
zero depending on the unit permitting late assessment submissions.

Australian Campuses – School contact for Assessment Extension enquiries (submission is via the online form):
[email protected]
Offshore Campuses – School representative for submission: [email protected]

Deferred assessments
If your results show that you have been granted a deferred assessment you should immediately check OASIS for
details.
Deferred examinations/tests will be held from 13/07/2020 to 24/07/2020 . Notification to students will be made
after the Board of Examiners’ meeting via the Official Communications Channel (OCC) in OASIS.

Further assessment
Further assessments, if granted by the Board of Examiners, will be held between 13/07/2020 and 24/07/2020 .
Notification to students will be made after the Board of Examiners meeting via the Official Communications
Channel in OASIS.
It is the responsibility of the student to be available to complete the requirements of a further assessment. If your
results show that you have been granted a further assessment you should immediately check OASIS for details.

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities 
School of Design and the Built
Environment

Reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities/health circumstances likely to impact on

studies
A Curtin Access Plan (CAP) is a document that outlines the type and level of support required by a student with a
disability or health condition to have equitable access to their studies at Curtin. Carers for people with disability
may also be eligible for support. This support can include alternative exam or test arrangements, study materials
in accessible formats, access to Curtin's facilities and services or other support as discussed with an advisor from
AccessAbility Services.
Documentation is required from your treating Health Professional to confirm your health circumstances or carer
responsibilities.
If you think you may be eligible for a CAP, please contact AccessAbility Services. If you already have a CAP please
provide it to the Unit Coordinator in week 1 of each study period.

Referencing style
The referencing style for this unit is Chicago 17th B.
More information can be found on this style from the Library web site:
http://libguides.library.curtin.edu.au/referencing.

Privacy
As part of a learning or assessment activity, or class participation, your image or voice may be recorded or
transmitted by equipment and systems operated by Curtin University. Transmission may be to other venues on
campus or to others both in Australia and overseas.
Your image or voice may also be recorded by students on personal equipment for individual or group study or
assessment purposes. Such recordings may not be reproduced or uploaded to a publicly accessible web
environment. If you wish to make such recordings for study purposes as a courtesy you should always seek the
permission of those who are impacted by the recording.
Recording of classes or course materials may not be exchanged or distributed for commercial purposes, for
compensation, or for any other purpose other than personal study for the enrolled students in the unit. Breach of
this may subject a student to disciplinary action under Statute No 10 – Student Disciplinary Statute.
If you wish to discuss this please talk to your Unit Coordinator.

Copyright
The course material for this unit is provided to you for your own research and study only. It is subject to
copyright. It is a copyright infringement to make this material available on third party websites.

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities 
School of Design and the Built
Environment

Academic Integrity (including plagiarism and cheating)

Academic Integrity
Curtin's Student Charter, Academic Integrity Program (AIP), and core Values guide expectations regarding student
behaviour and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on the Student Essentials Website or the
Academic Integrity tab in Blackboard.
Academic Integrity Warnings
An Academic Integrity Warning may be issued to a New-to-Curtin student if they have inadequately acknowledged
sources or collaborated inappropriately. The Management of Academic Integrity Warnings for New to Curtin
Students Procedures provide further information and explain who is considered to be New-to-Curtin.
Academic Misconduct
Students with an academic breach that do not meet the New-to-Curtin criteria will be managed through the
misconduct process. Academic Misconduct means conduct by a student that is dishonest or unfair in connection
with any academic work. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, falsification or fabrication of data
or other content, and Academic Misconduct Other, such as falsifying medical certificates for extension. More
details can be found on the Student Essentials Website or on the Academic Integrity Website.
Staff members are required to report suspected misconduct and an inquiry may take place. If misconduct is
determined it will result in penalties, which may include a warning, a reduced or nil grade, a requirement to repeat
the assessment, an annulled grade (ANN) or termination from the course. Some penalties may impact on future
enrolment.
Academic work under inquiry will not be graded until the process has concluded. If your work is the subject of an
inquiry you will be notified by email and Official Communication with an opportunity to respond. Appropriate
support will be provided. For more information refer to Statute No.10 Student Discipline and Academic
Misconduct Rules.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Expectations

Curtin students are expected to have reliable internet access in order to connect to OASIS email and learning
systems such as Blackboard and Library Services.
You may also require a computer or mobile device for preparing and submitting your work.
For general ICT assistance, in the first instance please contact OASIS Student Support:
oasisapps.curtin.edu.au/help/general/support.cfm
For specific assistance with any of the items listed below, please contact The Learning Centre:
life.curtin.edu.au/learning-support/learning_centre.htm

l Using Blackboard, the I Drive and Back-Up files

l Introduction to PowerPoint, Word and Excel

Additional information
Enrolment
It is your responsibility to ensure that your enrolment is correct - you can check your enrolment through the
eStudent option on OASIS, where you can also print an Enrolment Advice.

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities 
School of Design and the Built
Environment

Student Rights and Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of every student to be aware of all relevant legislation, policies and procedures relating to
their rights and responsibilities as a student. These include:

l the Student Charter

l Values and Signature Behaviours
l the University's policy and statements on plagiarism and academic integrity
l copyright principles and responsibilities
l the University's policies on appropriate use of software and computer facilities

Information on all of the above is available through the University's "Student Rights and Responsibilities" website
at: students.curtin.edu.au/rights.

Student Equity
There are a number of factors that might disadvantage some students from participating in their studies or
assessments to the best of their ability, under standard conditions. These factors may include a disability or
medical condition (e.g. mental illness, chronic illness, physical or sensory disability, learning disability), significant
family responsibilities, pregnancy, religious practices, living in a remote location or another reason. If you believe
you may be unfairly disadvantaged on these or other grounds please contact Student Equity at [email protected]
or go to http://eesj.curtin.edu.au/student_equity/index.cfm for more information.
You can also contact AccessAbility Services: http://bit.ly/accessability-curtin (disability/health related grounds) or
https://students.curtin.edu.au/personal-support/faith/ (religious/faith related) for further information.
It is important to note that the staff of the university may not be able to meet your needs if they are not informed
of your individual circumstances so please get in touch with the appropriate service if you require assistance. For
general wellbeing concerns or advice please contact Curtin's Student Wellbeing Advisory Service at:
http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/student_wellbeing_service.htm

Recent unit changes

Students are encouraged to provide unit feedback through eVALUate, Curtin's online student feedback system.
For more information about eVALUate, please refer to evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/.

To view previous student feedback about this unit, search for the Unit Summary Report at
https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/student/unit_search.cfm. See
https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/dates.cfm to find out when you can eVALUate this unit.

Recent changes to this unit include:

Based on students feedback there is no change in the unit.

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities 
School of Design and the Built
Environment

Program calendar
Week Begin Topics Assessment Due date
Date

Orientation 17 Orientation Week

February

1. 24 Introduction to Structures
February

2. 2 March Structural Material and Basic Structural Elements

3. 9 March Loading on Structures

4. 16 March Principles of Statics and Structural Analysis (Part 1)

5. 23 March Principles of Statics and Structural Analysis (Part 2) Assessment 1 In-class test
(20%)

6. 30 March Principles of Statics and Structural Analysis (Part 3)

7. 6 April Fundamentals of Structural Design (Part 1)

8. 13 April Tuition Free Week

9. 20 April Tuition Free Week

10. 27 April Fundamentals of Structural Design (Part 2)

11. 4 May Fundamentals of Structural Design (Part 3) Assessment 2 10 May

(30%) 2020
(Midnight)

12. 11 May Temporary Structures

13. 18 May Introduction to Soil Mechanics, Foundation and Earth

Retaining Structures

14. 25 May Fundamentals of Design of Foundations and Earth

Retaining Structures

15. 1 June Study Week

16. 8 June Examinations

17. 15 June Examinations

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
Bentley Campus CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
20 Feb 2020 The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS
School of Design and the Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities