STR4801/101/0/2024

Tutorial Letter 101/0/2024

Advanced Structural Steel Design

STR4801

Year Module

Civil Engineering Department

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account and
make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website, STR4801-24-Y, as well as your group website.

Note: This is a fully online module. It is, therefore, only available on myUnisa.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4
2 MODULE OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 5
3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ........................................................................................... 6
4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS................................................................................... 6
4.1 Lecturer(s) .................................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Department ................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 University ...................................................................................................................................... 6
5 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 6
5.1 Prescribed book(s) ........................................................................................................................ 6
5.2 Recommended book(s) ................................................................................................................. 7
5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves).................................................................................................. 7
6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................ 8
6.1 First-Year Experience Programme ................................................................................................ 9
7. STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 9
8 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE .......................................................................................................... 10
8.1 What does it mean to study fully online? ..................................................................................... 10
9. ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................................... 10
9.1 Assessment criteria..................................................................................................................... 10
9.2 Assessment plan ........................................................................................................................ 12
9.3 Assessment due dates ................................................................................................................ 13
9.4 Submission of assessments ........................................................................................................ 13
9.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions ........................................................................................ 15
9.5 The assessments ........................................................................................................................ 15
9.6 Other assessment methods ........................................................................................................ 16
9.7 The examination ......................................................................................................................... 16
9.7.1 Invigilation/proctoring .................................................................................................................. 16
10. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY ........................................................................................................ 17
10.1 Plagiarism ................................................................................................................................... 17
10.2 Cheating ..................................................................................................................................... 17

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10.3 For more information about plagiarism, follow the link below: ..................................................... 17
11. STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES .................................................................................. 18
12. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ........................................................................................ 18
13. SOURCES CONSULTED ........................................................................................................... 18
14. IN CLOSING ............................................................................................................................... 18
15. ADDENDUM ............................................................................................................................... 18
ANNEXURE: GLOSSARY OF TERM .................................................................................................... 19
16. ANNEXURE 1: GRAPHICAL VIEW OF ENGINEERING QUALIFICATION ............................... 19
17. ANNEXURE 2: GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT GRADUATES ATTRIBUTES BACHELOR
OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY HONOURS ........................................................................ 19
18. ANNEXURE 3: LIST OF GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES ................................................................ 21

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1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student

Unisa is a comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) higher education institution.

The comprehensiveness of our curricula encapsulates a range of offerings, from strictly
vocational to strictly academic certificates, diplomas and degrees. Unisa's "openness" and its
distance eLearning character result in many students registering at Unisa who may not have
had an opportunity to enrol in higher education. Our CODeL character implies that our
programmes are carefully planned and structured to ensure success for students ranging
from the under-prepared but with potential to the sufficiently prepared.

Teaching and learning in a CODeL context involves multiple modes of delivery ranging from
blended learning to fully online. As a default position, all post graduate programmes are
offered fully online with no printed study materials, while undergraduate programmes are
offered in a blended mode of delivery where printed study materials are augmented with
online teaching and learning via the learner management system – myUnisa. In some
instances, undergraduate programmes are offered fully online as well.

Furthermore, our programmes are aligned with the vision, mission and values of the
University. Unisa's commitment to serve humanity and shape futures combined with a clear
appreciation of our location on the African continent, Unisa's graduates have distinctive
graduate qualities which include:

• independent, resilient, responsible and caring citizens who are able to fulfil and serve
in multiple roles in their immediate and future local, national and global communities

• having a critical understanding of their location on the African continent with its
histories, challenges and potential in relation to globally diverse contexts

• the ability to critically analyse and evaluate the credibility and usefulness of
information and data from multiple sources in a globalised world with its ever-
increasing information and data flows and competing worldviews

• how to apply their discipline-specific knowledges competently, ethically and creatively

to solve real-life problems

• an awareness of their own learning and developmental needs and future potential

Whether a module is offered either as blended (meaning that we use a combination of printed
and online material to engage with you) or online (all information is available via the internet),
we use myUnisa as our virtual campus. This is an online system that is used to administer,
document and deliver educational material to you and support engagement with you. Look
out for information from your lecturer as well as other Unisa platforms to determine how to
access the virtual myUnisa module site. Information on the tools that will be available to
engage with the lecturer and fellow students to support your learning will also be
communicated via various platforms.

You are encouraged to log into the module site on myUnisa regularly (that is, at least twice per
week). [the module website code written out in full, e.g., STR4801-24-Y].

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Because this is a fully online module, you will need to use myUnisa to study and complete the
learning activities for this module. Visit the website for STR4801 on myUnisa frequently. The
website for your module is STR4801-24-Y.

We wish you every success with your studies!

2 MODULE OVERVIEW
2.1 Purpose

Students, who have completed this module successfully, will be able to show competencies and
skills in solving problems in structural steel design using the developed standards and codes of
practice.
2.2 Outcomes

For this module, you will have to master several outcomes:

• Specific outcome 1: Use design tables stipulated in the standards and codes
• Specific outcome 2: Evaluate and choose the relevant steel grade for any particular design
• Specific outcome 3: Compute the loads, factor the applied loads, and perform load
combinations in any given scenarios.

• Specific outcome 4: Conceptualise any failure mechanism associated with each load on the
member and connections

• Specific outcome 5: Design composite beams and slabs

• Specific outcome 6: Carry out plastic design methods in continuous beams and frames

• Specific outcome 7: Design cold-formed steel members

• Specific outcome 8: Design flexible and rigid, bolted and welded steel connections

• Specific outcome 9: Design trusses, lattice girders and bracings

• Specific outcome 10: Design multi-storey and industrial buildings

• Specific outcome 11: Plan and carry out a cost analysis and evaluation for small to
medium structural steel construction projects
• Specific outcome 12: Design steel structure for fire

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3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter, in terms of which the university has placed curriculum
transformation high on the teaching and learning agenda. Curriculum transformation includes student-
centred scholarship, the pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment practices, the scholarship of
teaching and learning, and the infusion of African epistemologies and philosophies. All of these will be
phased in at both programme and module levels, and as a result of this you will notice a marked change
in the teaching and learning strategy implemented by Unisa, together with the way in which the content
is conceptualised in your modules. We encourage you to embrace these changes during your studies at
Unisa in a responsive way within the framework of transformation.

4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

4.1 Lecturer(s)

The primary lecturer for this module is Mr O. zimbili:

Department: Civil Engineering
Telephone: 011 471 2351
E-mail: [email protected]

4.2 Department

You can contact the Department of Civil Engineering as follows:

Telephone: 011 471 2048/3132/2627
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

4.3 University

Contact addresses of the various administrative departments appear on the Unisa website:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Contact-us/Student-enquiries.

Please include the student number in all correspondence

5 RESOURCES
5.1 Prescribed book(s)

TITLE: Design of Structural Steelwork to SANS10162

AUTHOR: Jeffrey Mahachi
PUBLISHER: Xsi-tek

TITLE: The Structural Steel Connections (The Green Book)

AUTHOR: The South African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC)
PUBLISHER: The South African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC)

TITLE: The South African Steel Construction Handbook (The Red Book)
AUTHOR: The South African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC)
PUBLISHER: The South African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC)

• SANS 10160-1, Basis of structural and actions for buildings and industrial structures –
Part 1: Basis of structural design, SABS.

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• SANS 10160-2, Basis of structural and actions for buildings and industrial structures –
Part 2: Self-weight and imposed loads, SABS.

• SANS 10160-3, Basis of structural and actions for buildings and industrial structures –
Part 3: Wind actions, SABS.

• SANS 10162-1, The structural use of steel: Limit state design of hot rolled steelwork,
SABS

• SANS 10162-2, The structural use of steel: Limit state design of cold rolled steelwork,
SABS

5.2 Recommended book(s)

Any relevant structural steel design textbook written based on South African design
codes/standards will be okay. However, it is in the onus of the student to measure the depth of
coverage (scope) required for this course. The obvious indicator of depth will be your study
guide. If you are still not sure, consult your lecturer.
You can check free resources on Knovel (https://app.knovel.com/web/), if available. Use your
UNISA email to register, you can register via UNISA library or directly on Knovel website.
Recommended books can be requested online, via the Library catalogue.

5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

E-reserves can be downloaded from the library webpage Find e-reserves. More
information is available at: http://oasis.unisa.ac.za/search/r

5.4 Library services and resources

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources. The library has
created numerous library guides, available at http://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

• For brief information on the library, go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/library/libatglance

• For more detailed library information, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
• Frequently Asked Questions,
visit https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Frequently-Asked-Questions
• For research support and services such as the Personal Librarian service and the
Information Search Librarian's Literature
Search Request (on your research topic) service,
visit http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Research-
support.
• For library training for undergraduate
students, visit https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Training
• Lending Services https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Lending-services
• Services for Postgraduate students -
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-Postgraduates

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 • Support and Services for students with disabilities -
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-students-with-
special-needs
• Library Technology Support -https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport
• Finding and using library resources and tools -
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_skills
• A–Z list of library databases – https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/az.php

Important contact information:

• Technical problems encountered in accessing library online services: Lib-
[email protected]
• General library-related queries: [email protected]
• Queries related to library fines and payments: [email protected]
• Interlibrary loan service for postgraduate students: [email protected]
• Literature Search Service: [email protected]
• Social media channels: Facebook: UnisaLibrary and Twitter: @UnisaLibrary

6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa brochure is available on myUnisa: www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

This brochure contains important information and guidelines for successful studies through
Unisa.

If you need assistance with regard to the myModules system, you are welcome to use the
following contact details:

• Toll-free landline: 0800 00 1870 (Select option 07 for myModules)

• E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

You can access and view short videos on topics such as how to view your calendar, how to
access module content, how to view announcements for modules, how to submit assessment
and how to participate in forum activities via the following link: https://dtls-
qa.unisa.ac.za/course/view.php?id=32130

Registered Unisa students get a free myLife e-mail account. Important information, notices
and updates are sent exclusively to this account. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours
for your account to be activated after you have claimed it. Please do this immediately after
registering at Unisa, by following this link: [email protected]

Your myLife account is the only e-mail account recognised by Unisa for official
correspondence with the university and will remain the official primary e-mail address on
record at Unisa. You remain responsible for the management of this e-mail account.

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6.1 First-Year Experience Programme

Many students find the transition from school education to tertiary education stressful. This is also true in
the case of students enrolling at Unisa for the first time. Unisa is a dedicated open distance and e-
learning institution, and it is very different from face-to-face/contact institutions. It is a mega university,
and all our programmes are offered through either blended learning or fully online learning. It is for this
reason that we thought it necessary to offer first-time students additional/extended support to help them
seamlessly navigate the Unisa teaching and learning journey with little difficulty and few barriers. We
therefore offer a specialised student support programme to students enrolling at Unisa for the first time –
this is Unisa’s First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme, designed to provide you with prompt and helpful
information about services that the institution offers and how you can access information. The following
FYE services are currently offered:

FYE Website Email Support

www.unisa.ac.za/FYE [email protected]

FYE1500
Post
myUnisa; Study
Registration
Referrals to Skills; Academic &
Orientation Digital Literacies;
other support
services i.e. etc
Counselling;
Reading & Writing
workshops

To ensure that you do not miss out on important academic and support communication
from the SRU, please check your myLife inbox regularly.

7. STUDY PLAN
Use your myStudies@Unisa brochure for general time management and planning skills. The
study guide is divided into the following chapters.

Chapters TOPIC
Chapter 1 Design basis, standards and material considerations
Chapter 2 Structural loading
Chapter 3 Multi-storey buildings (shear walls, framing and layout)
Chapter 4 Bracing (types of bracing, horizontal loads and temporary
structures)

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 Chapter 5 Design of industrial building (loading, performance criteria)
Chapter 6 Steel connections design (prying, complex and simple
connections)
Chapter 7 Cold-formed steel
Chapter 8 Trusses and lattice girders
Chapter 9 Design of composite buildings (composite beams, composite
floors and composite columns)
Chapter 10 Construction site activities for structural steel projects
(site operation, planning, provision for weather, plant
and equipment, materials handling)
Chapter 11 Design for fire
There is a document titled TUT102_Topics to be assessed, which will be shared online at
the beginning of the year, to provide more details on the study plan.

8 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE

8.1 What does it mean to study fully online?

Studying fully online modules differs completely from studying some of your other modules at
Unisa.

• All your study material and learning activities for online modules are designed to be
delivered online on myUnisa.
• All of your assignments must be submitted online. This means that you do all your
activities and submit all your assignments on myUnisa. In other words, you may NOT post
your assignments to Unisa using the South African Post Office.
• All of the communication between you and the University happens online. Lecturers
will communicate to you by e-mail, sms and using the Announcements, the Discussion
Forums and the Questions and Answers tools. You can also use all of these ways to ask
questions and contact your lecturers.

9. ASSESSMENT
9.1 Assessment criteria

Assessments are part of the learning material for this module. As you do the assignment, study
the reading texts, consult other resources, discuss the work with fellow students or do research,
you are actively engaged in learning.

Specific outcomes Assessment criteria

• The design tables specified in the

Use design tables stipulated in the
1 relevant SANS codes and standards are
standards and codes
correctly stated or referenced
• The relevant steel grades are correctly
Evaluate and choose the relevant
2 chosen and evaluated according to the
steel grade for any particular design
design load and environmental factors
3 Compute the loads, factor the applied • The loads, load factors and load

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loads, and perform load combinations combinations are correctly computed for
in any given scenarios each design scenario
• The different failure types or
Conceptualise any failure mechanism mechanisms associated with any
4 associated with each load on the structural member or joint connection
member and connections are conceptualized and if necessary,
well addressed correctly
• The composite beam and slab are
5 Design composite beams and slabs
correctly designed
Carry out plastic design methods in • The plastic design of continuous beams
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continuous beams and frames and slabs are correctly carried out

7 Design cold-formed steel members • The cold-formed steel members are

correctly designed
Design flexible and rigid, bolted and • The complex and simple, flexible and
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welded steel connections rigid bolted or welded connections are
correctly designed
Design trusses, lattice girders and • The steel trusses, lattice girders and
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bracings bracings are correctly designed

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Design multi-storey and industrial
buildings
Plan and carry out a cost analysis • The cost analysis and evaluation for the
11 and evaluation for small to medium design and construction of structural
structural steel construction projects steel projects are correctly planned and
carried out.

12 Design steel structure for fire • Any structural steel and composite
members are correctly designed for fire

Graduate Attributes
To maintain our programme/qualification accreditation, each programme must provide evidence
that our students are attaining key “attributes” as defined by the ENGINEERING COUNCIL of
SOUTH AFRICA (ECSA). As such it is important as a student that you are familiar with the
ECSA assessment criteria (graduate attributes). Please see the annexture regarding
information about graduate attributes.
This module will cover one graduate attribute, which is graduate attribute 3. Graduate attribute
allocated to this course during your continuous assessment is as follows:

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Graduate GA description Range statement
attribute
Demonstrate Design problems used in assessment must
competence to perform conform to the definition of a complex problem
creative, procedural and • A major design problem should be used to
Graduate non-procedural design provide a body of evidence that
Attribute 3: and synthesis of demonstrates this outcome; and
Engineering components, systems, • The problem would be typical of that which
Design engineering works, the graduate would participate in a typical
products or processes employment situation shortly after
of a complex nature. graduation.

What is satisfactory performance on the GA?: Students are required to show competence
and achieve pass (Graduate attribute achieved) in relation to graduate attributes assessment. .
A rubric is used to assess the GA. Achieving the GA does not necessarily mean only acquiring
50% on the project, but essentially acquiring and average of 3/5 on each of key areas assessed
on the rubric. This means the student need to attempt to do the project in entirety, and not just
sections with big marks, as this is crucial to achieve the GA being evaluated.
What is the consequence of unsatisfactory performance?: Students who fail to achieve the
desired mark in any of the GA assessments will be given an opportunity to redo the project as
per the lecturers instructions. If a student still does not achieve the required GA, the student will
automatically be considered incompetent and will have to redo this module.
How are resubmissions marked?: The resubmissions marking will be capped to 50-57%,
depending on the previous submission.
9.2 Assessment plan

School of Engineering is following a continuous assessment system. So, you will be able to
accumulate marks throughout the year.
The formative assessment for this module will be in the form of timed online tests and written
submissions via myUnisa. The major online tests will be 2 hours long with an additional 15
minutes to download the test and 30 minutes to upload the answer script. There will be a total of
two-timed online tests plus one additional resubmission in the event you do not meet the
passing mark. There will also be one written assignment, one project and one project re-
submission.

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Your final mark will be calculated from a total of 4 assessments. All 4 assessments are
compulsory, the 2 repeat assessments are optional.

Please note:

• To complete this module, you will be required to submit 4 assignments.

• All information on when and where to submit your assignments will be made available to
you via the myUnisa site for your module.

• Due dates for assignments, as well as the actual assignments are available on the
myUnisa site for this module.

• Your assignments will comprise a combination of 1 assignment, 1 practical report

submission, and 2 major tests.

• Your continuous assessment mark allocation for this module is as follows:

Assessments Contribution
Assignments (1 in total) 10%
Project 30%
Major test 1 (online) 30%
Major test 2 (online) 30%
Major test repeat (online) 30%
Project resubmission 30%
Total assessment 100%
contribution

9.3 Assessment due dates

• There are no assignment due dates included in this tutorial letter.

• Assignment due dates will be made available to you on the myUnisa landing page for this
module. We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon registration.

• Please start working on your assessments as soon as you register for the module.

• Log on to the myUnisa site for this module to obtain more information on the due dates
for the submission of the assessments.

9.4 Submission of assessments

• Unisa, as a comprehensive open distance e-learning institution (CODeL), is moving

towards becoming an online institution. You will therefore see that all your study material,
assessments and engagements with your lecturer and fellow students will take place
online. We use myUnisa as our virtual campus.

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 • The myUnisa virtual campus will offer students access to the myModules site, where
learning material will be available online and where assessments should be completed.
This is an online system that is used to administer, document, and deliver educational
material to students and support engagement between academics and students.

• The myUnisa platform can be accessed via https://my.unisa.ac.za. Click on the

myModules 2024 button to access the online sites for the modules that you are
registered for.

• The university undertakes to communicate clearly and as frequently as is necessary to

ensure that you obtain the greatest benefit from the use of the myModules learning
management system. Please access the announcements on your myModules site
regularly, as this is where your lecturer will post important information to be shared with
you.

• When you access your myModules site for the module/s you are registered for, you will
see a welcome message posted by your lecturer. Below the welcome message you will
see the assessment shells for the assessments that you need to complete. Some
assessments may be multiple choice, some tests, others written assessments, some
forum discussions, and so on. All assessments must be completed on the assessment
shells available on the respective module platforms.

• To complete quiz assessments, please log on to the module site where you need to
complete the assessment. Click on the relevant assessment shell (Assessment 1,
Assessment 2, etc.). There will be a date on which the assessment will open for you.
When the assessment is open, access the quiz online and complete it within the time
available to you. Quiz assessment questions are not included in this tutorial letter
(Tutorial Letter 101) and are only made available online. You must therefore access the
quiz online and complete it online where the quiz has been created.

• It is not advisable to use a cell phone to complete the quiz. Please use a desktop
computer, tablet or laptop when completing the quiz. Students who use a cell phone find
it difficult to navigate the Online Assessment tool on the small screen and often struggle
to navigate between questions and successfully complete the quizzes. In addition, cell
phones are more vulnerable to dropped internet connections than other devices. If at all
possible, please do not use a cell phone for this assessment type.

• For written assessments, please note the due date by which the assessment must be
submitted. Ensure that you follow the guidelines given by your lecturer to complete the
assessment. Click on the submission button on the relevant assessment shell on
myModules. You will then be able to upload your written assessment on the myModules
site of the modules that you are registered for. Before you finalise the upload, double
check that you have selected the correct file for upload. Remember, no marks can be
allocated for incorrectly submitted assessments.

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9.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions

All assignments are defined as either optional, mandatory, compulsory, or elective.

• Elective assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
- The best of the required submissions will count.
• Mandatory assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
• Compulsory assignments
- If not submitted, the result on the student’s academic record will be absent.
• Optional assignments – You are encouraged as a student to do optional
assignment so that it may benefit your learning.

I. Elective assignments
a. the student is given a choice of which assignments within an identified group to
submit, only the best result(-s), the number of which is specified in advance, will
contribute towards the year mark.
b. elective assignments must also be grouped into an elective group.
c. for the student to select which assignment to submit, the elective assignments must
be grouped together. For such an elective group, relevant information must be
provided to the student, such as how many of the assignments must be submitted
and how many of the assignment marks should be combined into the year mark.
d. The selection criteria define how marks received for assignments in an elective group
are to be combined into the year mark. Three different criteria may be used for
calculating the year mark:
• The best mark should be used, or
• If the student submits fewer than the required number of assignments per group or
no assignment in a group, a mark of 0% will be used.
• 0% is awarded to all non-submitted or unmarked assessments. A best mark is
then calculated from all items.

II. Mandatory assignments

a. contribute to the year mark.
b. If a student fails to submit a mandatory assignment, no mark is awarded and the year
mark is calculated accordingly. The student will therefore forfeit the marks attached to
this assignment when the final mark for the module is calculated.
III. Compulsory Assessment
a. when not submitted, the student will fail a Continuous Assessment module but will
be shown as absent from the examination in the case of other modules.

IV. Optional assignments – You are encouraged as a student to do optional assignment so

that it may benefit your learning.

9.5 The assessments

As indicated in section 9.2, you need to complete 4 assessments for this module.

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There are no assignments included in this tutorial letter. Assignments and due dates will be
made available to you on myModules for this module. We envisage that the due dates will be
available to you upon registration.

• No late assignment submissions will be accepted.

• Keep a clear copy of the assignment for your own reference. This is important, as
assignments do get lost.
• Submissions of assignments must be in accordance with “my studies @ unisa
• You must obtain a minimum of 50% on at least one of the major tests. However, all
assessments are compulsory to pass the module.
• Student who fails any of the major tests will have a one opportunity to re-do the
tests.
• Because this is an online module, the assignments are not provided in this tutorial letter.
Instead, they will be posted online as they become due, and you will see them when you
go online.
• All assessments must be submitted in PDF format only.

9.6 Other assessment methods

N/A

9.7 The examination

Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available to
you online via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that will be shared with you by your
lecturer and e-tutors (where relevant) and for communication from the university.

9.7.1 Invigilation/proctoring

Since 2020 Unisa conducts all its assessments online. Given stringent requirements from
professional bodies and increased solicitations of Unisa’s students by third parties to unlawfully
assist them with the completion of assignments and examinations, the University is obliged to
assure its assessment integrity through the utilisation of various proctoring tools: Turnitin,
Moodle Proctoring, the Invigilator App and IRIS. These tools will authenticate the student’s
identity and flag suspicious behaviour to assure credibility of students’ responses during
assessments. The description below is for your benefit as you may encounter any or all of these
in your registered modules:

Turnitin is a plagiarism software that facilitates checks for originality in students’ submissions
against internal and external sources. Turnitin assists in identifying academic fraud and ghost
writing. Students are expected to submit typed responses for utilisation of the Turnitin software.

The Moodle Proctoring tool is a facial recognition software that authenticates students’ identity
during their Quiz assessments. This tool requires access to a student’s mobile or laptop

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camera. Students must ensure their camera is activated in their browser settings prior to their
assessments.

The Invigilator “mobile application-based service does verification” of the identity of an

assessment participant. The Invigilator Mobile Application detects student dishonesty-by-proxy
and ensures that the assessment participant is the registered student. This invigilation tool
requires students to download the app from their Play Store (Google, Huawei and Apple) on
their mobile devices (camera enabled) prior to their assessment.

IRIS Invigilation software verifies the identity of a student during assessment and provides for
both manual and automated facial verification. It has the ability to record and review a student’s
assessment session. It flags suspicious behaviour by the students for review by an academic
administrator. IRIS software requires installation on students’ laptop devices that are enabled
with a webcam.

Students who are identified and flagged for suspicious dishonest behaviour arising from the
invigilation and proctoring reports are referred to the disciplinary office for formal proceeding.

Please note:

Students must refer to their module assessment information on their myModule sites to
determine which proctoring or invigilation tool will be utilised for their formative and summative
assessments.

10. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

10.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as
your own. It is a form of theft. Plagiarism includes the following forms of academic dishonesty:

• Copying and pasting from any source without acknowledging the source.
• Not including references or deliberately inserting incorrect bibliographic information.
• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source of the information.
10.2 Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Completing assessments on behalf of another student, copying the work of another

student during an assessment, or allowing another student to copy your work.
• Using social media (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram) or other platforms to disseminate
assessment information.
• Submitting corrupt or irrelevant files, this forms part of examination guidelines
• Buying completed answers from so-called “tutors” or internet sites (contract cheating).
10.3 For more information about plagiarism, follow the link below:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

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11. STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES
The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) provides an
opportunity for staff to interact with first-time and returning students with disabilities.
If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support or need additional time for
assessments, you are invited to contact (name and e-mail address of the lecturer must be
inserted) to discuss the assistance that you need.

12. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There is a section of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on MyUnisa. You can access this
section for self-help. Other than that, your lecturer is available to assist you.

13. SOURCES CONSULTED

UNISA

14. IN CLOSING
Do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail if you are experiencing problems with the content of this
tutorial letter or with any academic aspect of the module.
We wish you a fascinating and satisfying journey through the learning material and trust that
you will complete the module successfully.
Enjoy the journey!
Mr O. Zimbili – lecturer for STR4801

15. ADDENDUM
N/A

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 STR4801/101/0/2024

ANNEXURE: GLOSSARY OF TERM

16. ANNEXURE 1: GRAPHICAL VIEW OF ENGINEERING QUALIFICATION

17. ANNEXURE 2: GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT GRADUATES

ATTRIBUTES BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY HONOURS
The Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Civil Engineering was designed
considering the HEQSF document from 2013 and the generic ECSA document “Qualification
Standard for Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours: NQF Level 8; Document: E-
09-PT; Rev 7; from 01 September 2020”.

Due to the extraordinary development of engineering knowledge and technology, there is a

need for defining a common denominator for the engineering qualifications in order to ensure
the mobility and global recognition. To this end, under the umbrella of International Engineering
Alliance (IEA), Washington Accord was established in 1989.
The Washington Accord is an international accreditation agreement for professional
engineering academic degrees.

For the Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours qualifications, the Washington Accord
rules and regulations are applicable.

The following are the signatory accreditation bodies of the Accord, their respective
countries and territories, and years of admission:

• Australia - (Engineers Australia, 1989)

• Canada - (Engineers Canada, 1989)
• People's Republic of China - (China Association for Science and Technology, 2016)
• Chinese Taipei - (Institute of Engineering Education Taiwan, 2007)
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• Hong Kong, China - (The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, 1995)
• India - (National Board of Accreditation, 2014)
• Ireland - (Engineers Ireland, 1989)
• Japan - (Japan Accreditation Board for Engineering Education, 2005)
• Korea - (Accreditation Board for Engineering Education of Korea, 2007)
• Malaysia - (Board of Engineers Malaysia, 2009)
• Pakistan - (Pakistan Engineering Council,2017)
• New Zealand - (Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand, 1989)
• Russia - (Association for Engineering Education of Russia, 2012)
• Singapore - (Institution of Engineers Singapore, 2006)
• South Africa - (Engineering Council of South Africa, 1999)
• Sri Lanka - (Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, 2014)
• Turkey - (MÜDEK, 2011)
• United Kingdom - (Engineering Council UK, 1989)
• United States - (ABET, 1989)

The following countries have provisional signatory status and may become member signatories
in the future
• Bangladesh - (Board of Accreditation for Engineering and Technical Education)
• Costa Rica - (Association of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica)
• Mexico - (Consejo de Acreditación de la Enseñanza de la Ingeniería)
• Peru - (ICACIT)
• Philippines - (Philippine Technological Council)
Assurance of substantial equivalence through this agreement may enhance mutual exemption
between jurisdictions by leading to opportunities to streamline processes and procedures for the
recognition of competent individuals in other jurisdictions.

The agreement recognizes that there is substantial equivalence of programs accredited by

signatories. Graduates of accredited programs in any of the signatory countries are recognized
by the other signatory countries as having met the academic requirements for entry to the
practice of engineering.

The equivalency of the engineering programmes was possible through the introduction of
Graduate Attributes. Graduate Attributes are assessable outcomes, developed by the
signatories that give confidence that the educational objectives of programmes are being
achieved ensuring the quality of the programme.

As the Graduate Attributes are “assessable outcomes”, each module part of the qualification,
has several Graduate Attributes attached to them and must be assessed in a measurable way,
namely through assignment or laboratory reports or projects or exams. Some Graduate
Attributes may be assessed via several measurable ways.

Since 2022 the Graduate Attributes are assessed in design, practical, project and
modules and the total number of 11 Graduate Attributes will be assessed over the whole
qualification.

The qualification may be awarded only if:

• the student has obtained the minimum of credits distributed in the knowledge areas
defined in the E – 09 – PT document,
• The graduates of this qualification will be able to demonstrate competence in the
Graduate Attributes from 1 to 11 as defined in the E – 09 – PT document.

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 STR4801/101/0/2024

If the student is not declared competent in all 11 Graduate Attributes, he

/she will not be able to graduate, regardless of the credit obtained in the
knowledge areas.
Therefore, it is extremely important for the students to understand the importance of the
graduate attributes, as is the only measure of the substantial equivalency of engineering
technologist qualifications, between signatory countries.

18. ANNEXURE 3: LIST OF GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES

The graduate attributes defined below are stated generically and may be assessed in various
engineering disciplinary or cross-disciplinary contexts in a provider-based or simulated practice
environment. Words and phrases having specific meaning are defined in this document and in
ECSA Document E-01-POL.

General Range Statement: The competencies defined in the eleven graduate attributes may
be demonstrated in a university-based, simulated workplace context. Competencies stated
generically may be assessed in various engineering disciplinary or cross-disciplinary contexts.

Level Descriptor: Complex engineering problems:

a) require in-depth fundamental and specialized engineering knowledge and have one or more
of the characteristics:
i) are ill-posed, under- or over specified, or require identification and refinement.
ii) are high-level problems including component parts or sub-problems.
iii) are unfamiliar or involve infrequently encountered issues.
b) and their solutions have one or more of the characteristics:
i) are not obvious, require originality or analysis based on fundamentals.
ii) are outside the scope of standards and codes.
iii) require information from variety of sources that is complex, abstract or incomplete.
iv) involve wide-ranging or conflicting issues: technical, engineering and interested or
affected parties.

Graduate Attribute 1: Problem solving.

Identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex engineering problems.

Graduate Attribute 2: Application of scientific and engineering knowledge

Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals and an
engineering speciality to solve complex engineering problems.
Level descriptor: Knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences is
characterized by:
• A systematic, theory-based understanding of the natural sciences applicable to the discipline.
• Conceptually-based mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics and formal aspects of
computer and information science to support analysis and modelling applicable to the discipline;

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• A systematic, theory-based formulation of engineering fundamentals required in the
engineering discipline; and
• Engineering specialist knowledge that provides theoretical frameworks and bodies of
knowledge for the accepted practice areas in the engineering discipline; much is at the forefront
of the discipline.

Range Statement: Mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences are applied in
formal analysis and modelling of engineering situations, and for reasoning about and
conceptualizing engineering problems.
Graduate Attribute 3: Engineering design
Perform creative, procedural and non-procedural design and synthesis of components,
systems, engineering works, products or processes.
Range Statement: Design problems used in exit-level assessment must conform to the
definition of a complex engineering problem. A major design problem should be used to provide
evidence. The design knowledge base and components, systems, engineering works, products
or processes to be designed are dependent on the discipline or practice area.

Graduate Attribute 4: Investigations, experiments and data analysis

Demonstrate competence to design and conduct investigations and experiments.
Range Statement: The balance of investigation and experiment should be appropriate to the
discipline. Research methodology is to be applied in research or an investigation where the
student engages with selected knowledge in the research literature of the discipline.
Note: An investigation differs from a design in that the objective is to produce knowledge and
understanding of a phenomenon and a recommended course of action rather than specifying
how an artifact could be produced
Graduate Attribute 5: Engineering methods, skills and tools, including information
technology.
Demonstrate competence to use appropriate engineering methods, skills and tools, including
those based on information technology.
Range Statement: A range of methods, skills and tools appropriate to the disciplinary
designation of the program including:
• Discipline-specific tools, processes or procedures.
• Computer packages for computation, modelling, simulation, and information handling.
• Computers and networks and information infrastructures for accessing, processing, managing,
and storing information to enhance personal productivity and teamwork.

Graduate Attribute 6: Professional and technical communication

Demonstrate competence to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with
engineering audiences and the community at large.
Range Statement: Material to be communicated is in an academic or simulated professional
context. Audiences range from engineering peers, management and lay persons, using
appropriate academic or professional discourse. Written reports range from short (300-1000
words plus tables diagrams) to long (10 000 to 15 000 words plus tables, diagrams and

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 STR4801/101/0/2024

appendices), covering material at exit-level. Methods of providing information include the

conventional methods of the discipline, for example engineering drawings, as well as subject-
specific methods.

Graduate Attribute 7: Sustainability and impact of engineering activity

Demonstrate critical awareness of the sustainability and impact of engineering activity on the
social, industrial and physical environment.
Range Statement: The combination of social, workplace (industrial) and physical environmental
factors must be appropriate to the discipline or other designation of the qualification.
Comprehension of the role of engineering in society and identified issues in engineering
practice in the discipline: health, safety and environmental protection; risk assessment and
management and the impacts of engineering activity: economic, social, cultural, environmental
and sustainability.
Graduate Attribute 8: Individual, team and multidisciplinary working
Demonstrate competence to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary
environments.
Range Statement: Multidisciplinary tasks require co-operation across at least one disciplinary
boundary. Co-operating disciplines may be engineering disciplines with different fundamental
bases other than that of the programme or may be outside engineering.

Graduate Attribute 9: Independent learning ability

Demonstrate competence to engage in independent learning through well-developed learning
skills.
Range Statement: Operate independently in complex, ill-defined contexts requiring personal
responsibility and initiative, accurately self-evaluate and take responsibility for learning
requirements; be aware of social and ethical implications of applying knowledge in particular
contexts.
Graduate Attribute 10: Engineering professionalism
Demonstrate critical awareness of the need to act professionally and ethically and to exercise
judgment and take responsibility within own limits of competence.
Range Statement: Evidence includes case studies typical of engineering practice situations in
which the graduate is likely to participate. Ethics and the professional responsibility of a
technologist and the contextual knowledge specified in the range statement of Graduate
Attribute 7 is generally applicable here.
Graduate Attribute 11: Engineering management
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and
economic decision-making.
Range Statement: Basic techniques from economics, business management; project
management applied to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects
and in multidisciplinary environments.

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References
Qualification Standard for Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours: NQF Level 8 E-09-PT
REVISION No. 7: 01 September 2020. Available via www.ecsa.co.za

©
Unisa 2024

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