11–12Engineering Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2026)

Record of changes

Implementation from 2028

Expand for detailed implementation advice

Overview Rationale Aim Outcomes Content Assessment Glossary Teaching and learning support

Content

Year 11

Year 12

Teaching advice

Examples

Civil and structural engineering

Testing of engineering materials

Explain the process for tensile testing of ferrous metals in civil engineering
Describe the purpose and loading set-up of a transverse beam test used in structural research
Describe the process for radiographic and ultrasonic testing of structural welds
Outline the relationship between concrete slump workability and final compressive strength of concrete when cured
Justify the importance of compression tests of multiple samples from the same batch when working with concrete

Phases in ferrous metals

Interpret the phase changes of 0% to 2% carbon steel in an iron-carbon phase diagram between 0°C to 910°C
Describe the phases of austenite, ferrite, cementite, pearlite and martensite in steel
Explain the effect of the cooling rate on the formation of martensitic or ferritic microstructure development in a plain medium carbon steel
Compare the effect of quenching on the microstructure of a mild steel and a plain medium carbon steel
Analyse the eutectoid transformation of steel as a reversible process
Classify plain carbon steels as hypoeutectoid, eutectoid or hypereutectoid based on their carbon content
Produce labelled microstructures of hypoeutectoid, eutectoid and hypereutectoid plain carbon steels

Engineering materials – ceramics

Compare the properties and applications of soda-lime glass with toughened glass in civil engineering
Explain the effect of the manufacturing process on toughened glass in relation to localised tensile and compressive strength
Describe the function of Portland cement as the main binder in mortar and concrete
Contrast the processes of extrusion and pressing in the manufacture of clay bricks

Engineering materials – composites

Identify engineering techniques used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for the construction of traditional and contemporary shelters and housing
Explain the use of laminated veneer lumber (LVL), glulam beams and plywood in civil engineering relating to the unidirectional tensile strength of timber and compensation for natural defects
Assess the applications of timber treated to hazard class H2 and H6
Describe the properties and uses of concrete in civil structures
Explain the effects hydration and time have on the strength development of the setting of concrete
Analyse the use of formwork and steel reinforcement in concrete slabs and long concrete beams
Compare concrete strengthening methods, including reinforced, pre-tensioned and post-tensioned prestressing techniques
Draw a sectional macrostructure of reinforced concrete
Compare the uses of asphalt and concrete for paved road surfaces
Investigate the use of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) as a stiffening material in the maintenance and conservation of bridges
Explain the role of permeability in a geotextile in relation to silt entrapment

Crack theory

Describe the role of stress raisers in creating localised stress above the yield or fracture point that contribute to deformation and propagation of cracks
Explain how crack propagation can be minimised through mechanical intervention

Degradation of materials

Describe the process of metallic corrosion as the loss of electrons from a metal
Compare the behaviour of metals in electrochemical corrosion using the anode, cathode and galvanic series
Compare the corrosion resistance of mild steel and stainless steel
Describe the impact of salt attack on bricks and spalling in concrete
Describe how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples maintain their traditional and contemporary homes
Explain the importance of selecting corrosion-resistant materials and evaluate protective methods, including painting, galvanising, anodising, electroplating, sacrificial anodes, cladding and impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) in civil engineering
Describe environmental and societal considerations in managing the degradation and maintenance of civil structures

Engineering mechanics – truss analysis

Identify static loads and calculate reactions of pin-jointed trusses
Generate free body diagrams (FBD) to solve civil engineering problems
Apply Bow’s Notation to label forces in truss systems for graphical analysis
Develop force polygons in truss analysis to find the reaction in a fixed member
Describe the differences between fixed, pin and roller support, and illustrate their representation in structural systems
Analyse and graphically represent horizontal, vertical and angled components of forces
Calculate external reaction forces on a single beam supported by a pinned reaction and a roller reaction
Apply the method of joints to analyse forces in members of a truss structure using analytical and graphical methods
Apply the method of sections to calculate forces in members of a truss structure using analytical and graphical methods
Analyse internal reactions of tensile and compressive forces within pin-jointed members
Determine redundant members in a truss
Construct scaled shear force and bending moment diagrams for simply supported and cantilever beams involving point loads only

Engineering mechanics – strength and testing of materials

Describe the Factor of Safety (FoS) as a design criterion and apply calculations to compare maximum allowable working stress with yield or ultimate material strength
Describe the ethical responsibilities of engineers to protect public safety when determining appropriate FoS in design
Calculate bending stress in relation to the neutral axis and a given second moment of area using the formula $σ = \frac{M y}{I}$ , where $σ$ is bending stress with units in Pascals (Pa), $M$ is the bending moment with units in Newton metres (Nm), $y$ is the distance from the neutral axis with units in metres (m) and $I$ is the second moment of area with units in metres to the fourth power (m⁴)
Describe the effect of uniformly distributed loads on a simple beam supported at 2 points, using shear force and bending moment diagrams, without calculations
Solve problems involving elastic stress and strain, recognising it as an indication of the stiffness of a material
Identify the key characteristics of a stress-strain diagram, representing them visually and calculating the yield or proof stress of a material
Calculate tensile and compressive stress using the formula $σ = \frac{P}{A}$ , where $σ$ is tensile or compressive stress with units in Pascals (Pa), $P$ is the applied load with units in Newtons (N) and $A$ is the cross‑sectional area with units in metres squared (m²)
Calculate tensile and compressive strain using the formula $ε = \frac{e}{L}$ , where $ε$ is strain (no units), $e$ (or $Δ L$ ) is the extension or compression with units in metres (m) and $L$ (or $L_{o}$ ) is the original length with units in metres (m)
Calculate the modulus of elasticity using the formula $E = \frac{σ}{ε} = \frac{\frac{P}{A}}{\frac{e}{L}} = \frac{PL}{eA}$ where $E$ is Young’s modulus with units in Pascals (Pa), $P$ is the applied load with units in Newtons (N), $L$ (or $L_{o}$ ) is the original length with units in metres (m), $e$ (or $Δ L$ ) is the extension or compression with units in metres (m) and $A$ is the cross-sectional area with units in metres squared (m²)
Calculate shear stress using the formula $σ_{s} = \frac{P}{A}$ where $σ_{s}$ is shear stress with units in Pascals (Pa), $P$ is applied shear force with units in Newtons (N) and $A$ is the shear plane area over which the force acts with units in metres squared (m²); for double shear, the area is doubled
Calculate punching shear stress using the formula $σ_{s} = \frac{P}{A}$ where $σ_{s}$ is shear stress with units in Pascals (Pa), $P$ is applied shear force with units in Newtons (N) and $A$ is the punching shear perimeter multiplied by the thickness with units in metres squared (m²)
Compare tensile and compressive stresses for materials, including concrete, steel, polymers and ceramics, without calculations

Engineering graphics

Apply the relevant Australian Standard for Technical Drawing (AS 1100) line types, symbols and conventions to produce a range of engineering drawings using technical drawing equipment
Draw pictorial representations, including isometric representations, with a suitable scale using technical drawing equipment
Identify basic surface texture symbols: ‘basic surface texture’, ‘surface machining is mandatory’ and ‘material removal is not permitted’
Use the Australian Standard for Technical Drawing (AS 1100) engineering conventions to indicate welds on arrow side, other side and both sides of a fillet weld and a square butt weld
Use technical drawing equipment to apply the Australian Standard for Technical Drawing (AS 1100) and produce internal, external and assembled plain and structural fasteners within a scaled, sectioned orthogonal assembly drawing containing multiple parts

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