KB4024 - Introduction to Mechanics & Structures

The module will include a range of learning materials such as presentations, notes, seminar questions for you to answer, and other resources such as video links, spreadsheets, and specific software-related files. All these resources will be arranged in a convenient learning journey, giving you a clear expectation of the material to be studied and tasks to be completed on a week-by-week basis. You will be expected to complete the appropriate tasks in your weekly journey before attending timetabled sessions. You will take part in lectures to develop your knowledge and understanding of the module material and in seminars, where you will learn to apply the concepts learned to engineering problems, and you will participate in practical sessions, such as laboratory classes and workshops, to further cement your learning of theoretical principles and to research relevant physical phenomena. There may be occasions within the semester where normal teaching will be suspended to allow your learning to be supplemented by a range of activities such as design workshops, guest presentations, professional body events, site visits and field work.

Support will include feedback from tutors during seminars, lectures, and practical sessions. In addition, tutors will use the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to provide electronic versions of module material. The University’s VLE offers remote access to materials and aids for reinforcing your learning. All of these support mechanisms and learning and teaching approaches will help to you to prepare for the assessments and prepare you for further learning in the programme.

The module and the wider programme teams will provide a supportive approach, enabling you to quickly and easily access and speak to any member of the programme team, as required.The University Library and other student services also offer a variety of academic skills training both online and face to face, which you can access as needed.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will be expected to apply Newton's laws and other concepts relating to statics. Understand the underlying principles of equilibrium.
2. You will be expected to apply mathematical principles to analyse systems of forces and moments and evaluate internal forces.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will be expected to manage the stress analysis process by performing appropriate calculations and evaluating the outcomes.


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. You will be expected to present these concepts in an applied problem solving framework.

Formative Assessments
You will be formatively assessed during the seminars and workshops by the tutor who is leading the session. Discussion with the module tutor and reflection on your performance will allow you to continuously monitor your ability to feed this forward for your improvement.

Summative Assessment
You will be summatively assessed by a coursework task. The coursework assignment will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the principles of structural mechanics. This will be of 4000 words equivalent length, will cover all MLOs, and will be worth 100% of the module marks.

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Mechanics is a branch of the physical sciences concerned with the state of rest or motion of bodies that are subjected to the action of forces. The study of mechanics involves many more subject areas. However, initial study is usually split into two areas; statics and dynamics.
Statics is concerned with bodies that are either at rest or move with a constant speed in a fixed direction and is of great importance for a Civil Engineer. Dynamics deals with the accelerated motion of bodies. This module provides a basic grounding in mechanics including Newton's Laws, stress analysis and analysis of the equilibrium of bodies. Assessment is through a coursework task. Supportive individual feedback will be provided for each assessment which will identify areas of merit and offer guidance for future improvement.