Conference Session

Student Advancement in Mechanics of Materials

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Johanna Paulette Doukakis, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

[26], advises an alternative approach to validity and reliability. He believes theterms ‘reliability’ and ‘validity ’are too strict and restricted in the context of interviews. Inreplacement, he names four characteristics: Credibility, Confirmability, Transferability andDependability. He goes on to suggest that, ‘it can be helpful to minimize issues of legitimacy andcredibility by carefully collecting the same information from everyone who is interviewed’ [26].After the raw data from the interviews and problem-solving session has been collected, audioand video recordings will first be broadly explored and integrally (i.e. not modified from theoriginal recorded version) transcribed.Data AnalysisThematic analysis Transcriptions of the

Conference Session

Using Technology to Support Learning in Mechanics

Collection

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Yonghee Lee, Purdue University at West Lafayette ; Jennifer Deboer, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Jeffrey F. Rhoads, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Edward J. Berger, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE)

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

. To better understand such perceptions of students, this studyexplored the following research question:RQ: How do students perceive the affordances that an integrated active, blended, andcollaborative learning environment offers?BackgroundWe began applying the Freeform environment in 2009. Based on the integrated advantage of theABC learning approach, the Freeform system consists of the following components: in-personinstruction with various active and collaborative learning activities, focused on problem solving;a dynamics lecturebook designed to be student friendly with lecture notes, including fundamentalconcepts, key example questions, and open-ended questions on wide white spaces that enablestudents to actively take notes and solve

Conference Session

Enhancing the Statics Classroom

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eric Davishahl, Whatcom Community College; Russell Pearce, Whatcom Community College; Todd R. Haskell, Western Washington University; Kordel J. Clarks, Student Representative - Whatcom Community College

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

the beginning of the learning progression (stages 1 and 2). The lastcategory of activities target more advanced concept applications and support the end of thelearning progression (stage 4). The SMK approach described here introduces a fourth categoryof model-based learning activities that targets stage 3 in the learning progression.We use the SMK to construct models that are physical embodiments of the introductoryproblems (e.g. the example above in Figure 1b) in which modeling assumptions (support models,simplified geometry abstractions) are already made, thus targeting stage 3 of the learningprogression and integrating this practice with an emphasis on developing basic concepts usingmultiple representations. The rationale, inspired by the

Conference Session

Innovative Teaching Techniques in Mechanics

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rick Williams, East Carolina University; William Howard, East Carolina University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

studentwith a good basis for discussing sources of experimental uncertainty. We do not require a formalanalysis of experimental uncertainty since this is covered later in our curriculum, however, we dostrongly believe that it is important for students to begin developing an understanding ofexperimental uncertainty and ask them to comment on uncertainty in every lab write-up. Thesources of uncertainty in this lab include the accuracy of the spring scales, the accuracy of thelinear measurements, and the fact that we are ignoring the mass of the spring scales and chain. Page 12.151.8 12 T1y

Conference Session

Assessment Strategies in Mechanics

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Geoffrey Recktenwald, Michigan State University; Tamara Bush, Michigan State University; Ron Averill, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

. The rubric, exam schedule, appeals process, and exam structure all remainedunchanged.It should be mentioned that the current course structure for dynamics at MSU necessitated thatexams be given during class periods. This means that exams are 50-minutes long. In thisversion of the course a total of 10 class periods out of 40 were reserved for examinations. Thismeans that in-class instruction is reduced by 20% over a traditional course. To achieve this, thelecture material was modified to be more efficient and worked example problems were providedto students outside of class. Additionally, a strong focus was given to the development of freebody diagrams. Thus, free body diagrams were considered an integral component to obtaining aconceptual

Conference Session

What's New in Statics?

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kevin Dong, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

; stability, center of mass, shear and moment diagrams, moment of inertia, andhorizontal shear, etc... The models also provide a natural means for incorporating three-dimensional equilibrium into the curriculum. There were two goals in mind when using modelmaking as a learning tool: integrate three-dimensional activities from the start since buildingproblems are naturally three-dimensional and show how most three-dimensional problems can besimplified into two-dimensional problems. This meant that most examples were rectilinear, butthis conceptual way of teaching allows for students to relate building forms to structural behaviorand also allows students to apply abstract concepts to problems that model the built environment.As an example, a “12-node

Conference Session

What's New in Statics?

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shane Palmquist, Western Kentucky University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

and practitioners.For example, in a sophomore level mechanics course at WKU, engineering students worked inteams to perform a preliminary physical field inspection and analysis of a historic steel trussbridge located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.The focus of the paper is to present the work performed by the students and how the project wasintegrated into the course curriculum where the concepts of engineering mechanics discussed inclass were related directly to the bridge. Students appreciated this approach to learning whichoffers a unique hands-on experience where students actively participate by working in the fieldon an existing structure.I. IntroductionIn recent years, there has been a growing trend in engineering education to include

Conference Session

Anything New in Dynamics?

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Byron Newberry, Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

students are challenged to formulate an appropriate dragmodel through a literature search and must justify their choice. A second flight model isformulated using an equivalent impulse, based on the experimental thrust data, as loading. Thestudents calculate flight trajectories based on both nonlinear models using numerical methods andcritically compare/contrast the results. The project has been found to engage students and toeffectively provide hands-on insight in the value, and limitations, of impulse loading methods.Introduction & MotivationA typical mechanical engineering program will address the concept of impulse loading at multiplepoints within the curriculum. The mathematical definition of impulse loading and the subsequentsolution of

Conference Session

Measuring Learning in Statics & Dynamics

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Roger G. Hadgraft, University of Technology Sydney; David Lowe, The University of Sydney; Justine Lawson

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

learning resources amongteaching academics and between institutions. Further, there seems to be a specific resistance tosharing those materials that support the teaching and learning of technical content1.Collaborations seen in research networks seem not to have equivalent presence in teaching andlearning, despite a literature that points to the benefits of sharing curriculum resources 2,3.A few projects funded by the Federal Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) in Australia havemade freely available resources as deliverables (A proactive approach to addressing studentlearning diversity in engineering mechanics 4; Promoting student engagement and continualimprovement: Integrating professional quality management practice into engineering

Conference Session

Measuring Learning in Statics & Dynamics

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ning Fang, Utah State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

instructional tool to assess student conceptual understanding in a variety of academicdisciplines 3-6, including engineering 7, 8. For example, Robert et al. 7 employed concept maps toassess student learning in an undergraduate civil and environmental engineering course. Thecourse aimed to develop student understanding of infrastructure and interconnected systems inthe civil and environmental engineering course curriculum. Watson et al. 8 employed conceptmaps to assess student sustainability knowledge. Their ultimate goal was to incorporatesustainability into engineering curricula.A significant amount of research has been conducted to study how to use concept maps toenhance teaching, learning, and assessment in various courses 9-11, including

Conference Session

Concept Inventories in Mechanics

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Phillip Cornwell, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Brian P. Self, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

Google scholar, has been referenced about 50 times, and the update in2005 [3] has been referenced about 107 times. From the engineering education literature, mostreferences to the DCI can be put in four main categories: 1. Assessment of curriculum modifications or innovations 2. Assessing the efficacy of course modifications. The modifications were usually introduced into a course to improve conceptual understanding. 3. Pointing out the limitations of the DCI or in the context of developing an abbreviated dynamics concept inventory. 4. Referenced in the paper but not discussed or used. These papers usually reference the DCI as one of many concept inventories.An example of a paper that used the DCI to assess a curriculum

Conference Session

The ABCs of FBDs

Collection

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Amir H. Danesh-Yazdi, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Shraddha Sangelkar, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Eric Constans, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

theequilibrium equations and subsequently a decision is made on whether to keep or discard eachreaction couple with the help of an equations/unknown table. We provide three examples to showthe application of this universal approach to different types of problems that involve bearingsupports. We have found assessing the effectiveness of this approach difficult in a Statics class,but plan on implementing an assessment in Capstone Design.Introduction and MotivationThe fundamental purpose of a Statics course is to initiate and encourage the development of astudent’s engineering judgment, at least with regards to mechanics, by employing the free-bodydiagram (FBD) as a tool. In a standard undergraduate civil or mechanical engineering curriculum,students build

Conference Session

Innovative Teaching Techniques in Mechanics

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shanzhong (Shawn) Duan, South Dakota State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

equations of motion and constraint equations but without proper use of commercial virtual prototyping computer software.(3) Introducing both multibody dynamics theory and computer software functions in an integrated way.Each way has its strengths and weaknesses. The following table shows a brief comparison: Table 1: A Brief Comparison of Three Different Ways to Organize AMD Emphasis on course Level of course Time % of use of Difficulty of contents constraint software course Software- Workshop to train High High Low orientated software user Theory- Ph.D. level graduate Low Low

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

Innovative Teaching Techniques in Mechanics

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Louis Everett, University of Texas-El Paso; Arunkumar Pennathur; Elsa Villa, University of Texas-El Paso

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

engineering curriculum byall UTEP engineering departments, except Electrical and Computer Engineering/Science, itimpacts the majority of the undergraduate engineering students. The average pass rate of studentsin Dynamics since fall 2000 is 55.3%. Of course, many of the unsuccessful students repeat andpass; but an initial failure certainly slows their progress to graduation. The interventionsdescribed in this paper attempt to increase the number of graduates by helping more studentslearn the concepts in Dynamics so they become successful the first time they take the course. This paper describes an experiment using RWST in a classroom environment. It is expectedthat a properly designed curriculum using RWST will increase graduation rates with

Conference Session

Back to Basics in Mechanics

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thomas Malmgren, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

-machinery) prior to teaching Mechanical Engineering Technology. Page 11.1338.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2006 THE “BACK TO THE FUTURE” EXPERIENCE OF GRAPHICAL ANALYSISAbstractGraphical analysis has always been an integral part of the medley of techniques to solveengineering problems. In the past, the accuracy of the graphical analysis solution was limited bythe precision of the instruments associated with producing it. Rudimentary tools such as pencils,scales, protractors, T-squares, planimeters, slide rules, etc., provided a solution within acceptablelimits of error. However, the

Conference Session

New Teaching Methods in Mechanics

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brian P. Self, California Polytechnic State University; Edward J. Berger, University of Virginia

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

were to help faculty (quote3): 1) engage in reflection and continuous improvement of learning, both their own and their students 2) facilitate conversations about teaching and learning in the process of building a learning community 3) create a collaborative learning environment with faculty and peers 4) build confidence in curriculum development including designing, guiding, and assessing learning 5) learn with and about technology in the process of improving curriculum, and 6) connect teaching and research and bridge the gap between theory and practice.Recognizing the potential for widespread engagement of engineering educators, an initiative onAdvancing Engineering Education through Virtual Communities of Practice

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

Flipped Classrooms in Mechanics

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rebecca Komarek, University of Colorado, Boulder; Angela R. Bielefeldt, University of Colorado, Boulder

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

some statics classes, as many as 35 percent of students earn a D or an F. Thesegrades are typically not high enough for the student to move on to subsequent classes and maydramatically alter a student’s plans for earning an engineering degree in a certain period of time. Page 26.890.2Therefore, targeting key courses in the sophomore year that serve as a foundation for furthercoursework in the discipline may be particularly effective in helping students.While evidence shows that implementing more active teaching and learning strategies areeffective in improving student engagement and learning4, there is often a disconnect betweenacknowledging

Conference Session

Technology in Mechanics Education

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michelle Marie Grau, Stanford Univeristy; Sheri Sheppard, Stanford University; Samantha Ruth Brunhaver, Stanford University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

. Anotheroption is to impose a shorter time limit to add pressure, as tough time constraints are often areality in real engineering practice. As far as integrating the game into the ENGR 14 curriculum, the leading idea proposed by thestudents was to have the students play after learning about moments but before starting thebridge project. The students could also work on the same team they would work on for thebridge project to help them to learn how to work together and to work through issues they mightotherwise have later.Going forward, we plan to administer pre- and post-game surveys to ensure that students meetthe stated learning objectives. As previously mentioned, these include becoming morecomfortable working in teams and dealing with problems in

Conference Session

Assessment & Grading in Mechanics

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mariana Silva, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Matthew West, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

Paper ID #19927Algorithmic Grading Strategies for Computerized Drawing AssessmentsDr. Mariana Silva, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Mariana Silva is an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Curriculum Development Coordinator in the Me- chanical Science and Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received her BSME and MSME from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and earned her Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009. Besides her teaching activities, Mariana serves as an academic advisor in the Mechanical

Conference Session

Assessment Strategies in Mechanics

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Geoffrey Recktenwald, Michigan State University; Michele J. Grimm, Michigan State University; Ron Averill, Michigan State University; Sara Roccabianca, Michigan State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

pedagogy for problem based courses. He created and co-teaches a multi-year integrated system design (ISD) project for mechanical engineering students. He is a mentor to mechanical engineering graduate teaching fellows and actively champions the adoption and use of teaching technologies.Dr. Michele J. Grimm, Michigan State University Michele J. Grimm is the Wielenga Creative Engineering Endowed Professor of Mechanical Engineering. In addition to her scientific research, Dr. Grimm has spent a large part of her career focused on curriculum development and enhancement of student learning in engineering. She served on the faculty of Wayne State University for 25 years, where she developed and implemented both undergraduate

Conference Session

Innovative Mechanics Education Programs and Projects

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jean Nocito-Gobel, University of New Haven; Gregory Broderick, University of New Haven; Samuel Daniels, University of New Haven; Michael Collura, University of New Haven; Richard Stanley, University of New Haven

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

his Ph.D. from Yale University. He is currently teaching a course in the First Year Program as well as a course that has prerequisites in both the first and second year of the program. His professional interests include computer-aided engineering and design. Page 12.357.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 Civil and Mechanical Engineering Students Learning Mechanics in a Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundation SpiralThis paper describes how mechanical and civil engineering students are introduced to anddevelop an understanding of mechanics concepts through a sequence of integrated

Conference Session

Anything New in the Mechanics of Materials?

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rani Sullivan, Mississippi State University; Masoud Rais-Rohani, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

loading isoften used in the Aerospace industry, with the grade of complexity depending on the number ofdiscrete loading points on the structure and the number of levels in the WLM. Regardless of itsloading complexity, such experiments embody many of the basic principles covered in staticsand mechanics of materials courses such as the calculation of the magnitude and location of theresultant force associated with a distributed load. This experience provided the impetus for theauthors to pursue the topic presented in this paper.After an initial brainstorming, authors submitted a proposal and received a grant to pursue a planto integrate hands-on activities into the mechanics of materials curriculum. A simple beamtesting system (BTS) was

Conference Session

Innovative Mechanics Education Programs and Projects

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Pramod Chaphalkar, Grand Valley State University; David Blekhman, California State University Los Angeles

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

a necessity for the today’sundergraduate mechanical engineering programs. At Grand Valley State University (GVSU), westrive to keep our curriculum up to date, reflecting the demands of industry. We have thereforebegun the process of integrating the use of FEA tools throughout the curriculum, instead ofdelaying it until the senior year either for senior design or elective courses. This paper describesthe introduction of FEA to students in the first course of Statics and Solid Mechanics. The firstpriority of this course is to build the foundation for Mechanics. The challenge therefore was todetermine the content without compromising the priority. Keeping this in mind, 1-D Barelements and 2-D Truss elements are introduced in the course. These

Conference Session

Computer Tutors, Simulation, and Videos

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Moe Tajvidi P.E., Utah State University; Ning Fang, Utah State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

approaches. Changing the sequence of topicsin engineering mechanics is one solution to create more integrity within the engineeringmechanics course4, 25, 26. Cornwell4 described the new distribution of topics in mechanics coursesand demonstrated the improvements made possible by a new sequence of curriculum. In an effortto span over freshman and sophomore years courses, Belytschko25 developed a curriculum byintegrating a subset of mathematics and science with engineering. It targeted engineering designto foster freshman year students through a four-course sequence called “Engineering Analysis”25.Nonetheless, changes in curriculum face two major challenges. First, it is difficult to assess theimpact of curricular changes in a short time, and no

Conference Session

Teaching & Learning Statics and Mechanics of Materials

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anne Raich, Lafayette College

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

covered in the course by integrating experiencesusing a FE analysis program, b) provide students with a basic understanding of FE theory, c)provide students with the skill set needed to model and analyze combined load problems using aFE analysis program; and d) provide students with an understanding of how element type, meshsize, support conditions, and other modeling decisions may impact FE analysis results.Previous studies have sought to incorporate FE modeling and analysis content as early as thefreshman year into the engineering curriculum. However, implementing these approaches inStrength of Materials courses often requires students to spend considerable time learning FEtheory before being able to use commercial FEA programs. A few studies

Conference Session

Using Technology to Support Learning in Mechanics

Collection

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Keith D. Hjelmstad, Arizona State University; Amie Baisley, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

changes in those courses can impact student learning and retention. American c Society for Engineering Education, 2021 Advancing computational knowledge and skill through computing projects in sophomore-level mechanics coursesAbstractThe desire to graduate students with more advanced computational knowledge has become a hot topic incurriculum design. One route to do that is through integration of computing in the foundational mechanicscourses (statics, dynamics, and solid mechanics). The implementation of computing projects in thesesophomore-level courses has resulted in computing becoming an integral part of those courses at

Conference Session

Mechanics Division Technical Session 3

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amir Hedayati Mehdiabadi, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Rebecca A. Atadero, Colorado State University; Daniel W. Baker Ph.D., P.E., Colorado State University; Anne Marie Aramati Casper, Colorado State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

students to engineering. For example, Busch-Vishniac andJarosz (2004) suggested that integration of team experiences to the curriculum of engineeringthat traditionally had been left to senior year, in earlier years would improve the reputation ofengineering and help students enjoy the academic experience more. Similarly, Gunasekera andFriedrich (2009) argued that the dominant theory-based and not value-oriented pedagogies inSTEM “alienate those students who learn best in creative, cooperative settings that considervalue and emphasize design and synthesis” (p. 162).Intentional instruction about teamwork, particularly when it emphasizes diverse teams andinclusive work practices, offers students professional skills they need to be successful, while

Conference Session

Teaching with Technology in Dynamics and Mechanics of Materials

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Salim Haidar, Grand Valley State University; Ali Mohammadzadeh, Grand Valley State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

powerful tool in analysis and design of dynamical systems.The authors used SIMULINK in analysis and design of an automobile suspension system6 as an Page 11.1141.2exemplary model in vibrations’ class.This model example, which provided for follow-up homework assignments and a project, helpedstudents learn about efficient numerical methods, and how to employ technology tools,MATLAB and SIMULINK, in solving engineering problems, early in the dynamics class. Whatstudents learned here helps them a great deal in the subsequent courses in the curriculum. Thestate form of the governing differential equations of motion, introduced to students in the follow