Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching: Mechanics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jim M. Papadopoulos, University of Wisconsin - Stout; Christopher Papadopoulos, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus; Vincent C. Prantil, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

AC 2011-2300: A PHILOSOPHY OF INTEGRATING FEA PRACTICE THROUGH-OUT THE UNDERGRADUATE CE/ME CURRICULUMJim M. Papadopoulos, University of Wisconsin - Stout JEREMY J. M. PAPADOPOULOS Jim Papadopoulos, P.E. is a Lecturer in the Engineering and Technol- ogy Department of University of Wisconsin Stout. His Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering is from MIT (where he received the Exxon Fellowship and was awarded the Departmental Instructorship), and he also had post-doctoral training in the Cornell Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. He has been an R&D engineer for 20 years in areas such as power transmission equipment and paper converting equip- ment. He is the recipient of 7 patents, and co-author of an MIT

Conference Session

Teaching Mechanics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joseph J. Rencis, University of Arkansas; Hartley T. Grandin Jr, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

developed and used by the authors to integrate adesign project into an introductory undergraduate mechanics of materials course. The designproject discussed in-depth is a statically determinate hoist frame structure. The hoist is used tolift an object of weight. It is assembled with smooth pins and is symmetric about the two-dimensional plane. Three other design projects discussed briefly include a brace structure, beamhanger, and simple hoist structure. Lecture examples, homework problems, and design projectproblems are solved with all equations formulated symbolically. One major advantage is thatsymbolic equations can be solved for any variable value. Furthermore, the design processgenerally requires solving problems over a range of variable

Conference Session

Teaching Mechanics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shawn P Gross, Villanova University; David W Dinehart, Villanova University; Joseph Robert Yost, Villanova University; Aleksandra Radlinska, Villanova University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

more integrated sequence.Courses in the classical areas of Statics, Mechanics of Solids, and Civil Engineering Materialswere repackaged into a pair of four-credit mechanics courses which combine content from theseareas. The first course (Mechanics I) integrates elements of Statics and Mechanics of Solidsalong with a few topics from Civil Engineering Materials. The second course (Mechanics II)integrates the remaining elements of Mechanics of Solids with the majority of Civil EngineeringMaterials.A key pedagogical component in this integrated curricular restructuring is a structuredimplementation of problem-based learning: the use of overarching problems. An overarchingproblem is a common design and/or analysis problem encountered in the

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching: Mechanics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeffery S. Thomas, Missouri University of Science & Technology; Richard H. Hall, Missouri University of Science & Technology; Timothy A. Philpot, Missouri University of Science & Technology; Douglas R. Carroll, Missouri University of Science & Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

; TechnologyTimothy A. Philpot, Missouri University of Science & Technology Timothy A. Philpot is an Associate Professor in the Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering Department at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Dr. Philpot received a Ph.D. degree from Purdue University in 1992, an M.Engr. degree from Cornell University in 1980, and a B.S. from the University of Kentucky in 1979, all in Civil Engineering. Dr. Philpot teaches engineering mechan- ics and structural engineering courses at Missouri S&T. He is the author of the textbook Mechanics of Materials: An Integrated Learning System, 2nd Edition (Wiley, 2011). He is also the developer of two noted software packages: MDSolids Educational

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching: Mechanics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

C.J. Egelhoff, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; K.L. Burns, U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

of with the Bending concept where itarguably belongs. The map lacks the idea of inter-related items. The student map shown in Figure 3 makes an attempt to show the inter-related nature of theconcepts, but also reveals this student’s confusion as well. The map possessed dramatic color (asfrom highlighter felt pens) which was not captured in the image scanning process. The studentuses words along the connecting spokes to convey additional meaning, and adds connectionsaround the perimeter, an obvious indication that he understands things are interconnected. Thisstudent also omits several significant course ideas such as combined loading, principal stress anddeflection altogether. Figure 3. Example of student concept map using words

Conference Session

Teaching Dynamics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kristi J. Shryock, Texas A&M University; Arun R. Srinivasa, Texas A&M University, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Jefferey E. Froyd, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

engineering education community. He co-created the Integrated, First-Year Curriculum in Science, Engineering and Mathematics at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, which was recognized in 1997 with a Hesburgh Award Certificate of Excellence. He has authored or co-authored over 70 papers on engineering education in areas ranging from curricular change to faculty development. He is collaborating on NSF-supported projects for (i) renewal of the mechanics of materials course, (ii) improving preparation of students for Calculus I, (iii) systemic application of concept inventories. He is currently an ABET Program Evaluator and a Senior Associate Editor for the Journal on Engineering Education

Conference Session

Teaching Dynamics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David R. Mikesell, Ohio Northern University; John-David S. Yoder, Ohio Northern University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

project. Unfortunately these students have little engineeringbackground to apply to the solutions. At the other end of their college program, all ONU seniorswill complete an intensive design process as part of their year-long capstone course. Butbuilding skill and experience in the design process, item “c” of the ABET list of criticalengineering program outcomes,6 is best achieved when continually reinforced throughout thecurriculum. Thus the design project in Dynamics, a course currently taken by all engineeringstudents, provides an important bridge of continuity in the heart of the four year curriculum(typically the sophomore year) to keep the design process fresh.Project DescriptionThe Dynamics design project has taken many forms over the