1 Identify the requirements for determining material strength

1.1 Determine strength of materials task through requests, design briefs or equivalent and clarified with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Seek appropriate expert advice with respect to the strength of materials task and according to enterprise procedures.

1.3 Obtain resources needed for the task in accordance with enterprise procedures and check for correct operation and safety.

1.4 Consult appropriate personnel to ensure the work is co-ordinated effectively with others involved at the work site.

2 Select the appropriate testing regime

2.1 Interpret and apply industry codes, regulations and technical documentation relevant to the engineering problem.

2.2 Identify and use sources of computational data.

2.3 Make and record appropriate assumptions underlying the strength of materials task.

2.4 Select the most appropriate computational methodology.

3 Undertake materials testing

3.1 Perform strength of materials test and record results.

3.2 Select methods for dealing with unexpected situations on the basis of discussions with appropriate personnel, job specifications and enterprise procedures.

4 Verify, document and interpret outcomes

4.1 Discuss and verify results of testing with appropriate personnel.

4.2 Present results as required from initial request or brief.

Required skills:

read and understand codes and regulations relevant to engineering design in the water industry

destructive and non-destructive material strength tests

report writing and presentation

Requiredknowledge:

stress and strain in a material engineering context, including torsional and thermal stress

centrally loaded connections

thin walled pressure vessels

properties of plane figures

simple beams (point and distribute loads)

classification of materials

properties of materials for engineering design, including physical, mechanical, and chemical properties

materials testing methods including both destructive and non-destructive testing (NDT), and corrosion testing

engineering applications of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and polymers

effects of mechanical and thermal processes on the properties of materials

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to:

Apply concepts of strength of materials to problems of strength and stability of structures and mechanical components on five different occasions. This includes stress, strain, deformation, properties of sections and shear force.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

workplace specific equipment and technology

supervision and experienced team members to provide observations, feedback and third party reports

enterprise operating procedures and work allocation

relevant codes, standards, and government regulations

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence require that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person’s competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the candidate, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Strength of materials task may include:

materials analysis

materials selection

non-destructive testing (NDT)

destructive testing

Appropriate personnel may include:

supervisor

leading hand

foreman

manager

site engineer

trainer

mentor

teacher

team member

Resources and equipment may include:

computer software

library files

stationery

drawing standards

software reference documentation

equipment

computer hardware

printers

plotter

digitisers

Enterprise procedures may include:

the use of tools and equipment

instructions, including job sheets, cutting lists, plans, drawings and designs

reporting and communication

manufacturers' specifications and operational procedures