Conference Session

What's New in the Mechanics of Materials?

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Arturo Fuentes, University of Texas-Pan American; Stephen Crown, University of Texas-Pan American

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

reinforce students’ interest,knowledge, and engineering judgment. The use of multi-level web-based games allows studentsto enter the instruction at the appropriate level. Students can select additional games in weakareas and skip levels if they are familiar with the topic. Additionally, students can play andreceive instruction on their own schedule and at their own pace. Finally, games (instruction) canbe repeated and reviewed if students need repetition to grasp and retain instruction (1). Theimpact of web-based games on the engineering and mechanics of materials learning environmenthas been previously reported in the literature including Crown (2), Lumsdaine (3), and Philpot et.Al.(4,5). However, the full capacity of web-based games is still

Conference Session

Improving Mechanics Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amir Rezaei, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona; Mariappan Jawaharlal, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona; Kyu-Jung Kim, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona; Angela Shih, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

must usuallyearn a C- grade (or better) in order to take the subsequent courses. However, having a C- in thiscourse means that students are leaving this prerequisite course with ability to solve the givenexercises, but often they do not have the ability to answer a simple quantitatively question aboutthe fundamental concept in this course. We believe that by implementing an effective assessmenttool we will measure the effectiveness of the newly developed hybrid course. We plan to measurethe effectiveness of the hybrid course by:1. Integrating previously developed and tested Concept Inventory test specifically for Staticsthroughout the course into its weekly modules.2. Multiple choice questions drawn from Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and

Conference Session

Improving Mechanics Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ghodrat Karami, North Dakota State University; Robert Pieri, North Dakota State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

, M.S. and Ph.D.statics, dynamics and mechanics of materials(Fig.1) can be revised to be more College of Engineeringcomputer-based and to include some Fintite Elemets Method Towards Graduationmultiscale modules in concepts, problemsand exercises6-11. Perhaps the main Mechanics of

Conference Session

Mechanics Division Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ing-Chang Jong, University of Arkansas

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

beams in mechanics of ma-terials. They include the following:1-11 (a) method of double integration (with or without the useof singularity functions), (b) method of superposition, (c) method using moment-area theorems,(d) method using Castigliano’s theorem, (e) conjugate beam method, and ( f ) method using gen-eral formulas. Naturally, there are advantages and disadvantages in using any of the above meth-ods. By and large, the method of double integration is a frequently used method in determiningslopes and deflections, as well as statically indeterminate reactions at supports, of beams. With-out use of singularity functions, the method of double integration has an advantage of needing aprerequisite in mathematics only up to simple calculus

Conference Session

Internet Delivery of Mechanics Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Douglas Carroll; Hong Sheng, University of Missouri

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

Management, and International Journal of Electronic Business. Page 12.1566.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 Using Technology to Enhance the Traditional LectureAbstract The advancement of information technology has provided faculty with manyopportunities to adopt and incorporate it into traditional classroom teaching. However, the newtechnology is not always better. For many topics, the best strategy is still the traditional chalk-and-talk lecture. There are three critical requirements that must be met before new technology isadopted on a large scale. 1. The new technology should be able to facilitate

Conference Session

Internet Delivery of Mechanics Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kurt Gramoll, University of Oklahoma

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

shared instructional resource among universities and colleges. The MultimediaEngineering Solid Mechanics eBook consists of over 30 sections or modules with each moduledivided into 3 to 4 different parts: case introduction, theory, case solution, and examples. In eachmodule, the theory part covers a particular topic in solid mechanics. The modules are groupedinto 10 different sections according to the topics, and they are accessible through the menu baron the left from the main page (Figure 1). In addition, tables for solid structural properties,section properties, beam deflection tables, common mathematical formulae, and unit conversiontables are included in the appendices. As seen from the main page, all students need to view thiseBook is a

Conference Session

What's New in the Mechanics of Materials?

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Karim Muci-Küchler, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Lidvin Kjerengtroen, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

infinitesimal wedge elementlike the one shown in Fig. 1 and can be written as σx +σ y  σ x −σ y  σ n =  +    cos 2θ + τ xy sin 2θ  (1)  2   2  σx −σ y  τ nt = −  sin 2θ + τ xy cos 2θ  (2)  2 where σ x , σ y , and τ xy ( τ yx = τ

Conference Session

Mechanics Division Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Raghu Echempati, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

examinations. When once acommon syllabus has been agreed up on, identifying the course learning objectives(CLOs or SLOs) has become an easier task. The goal was to have these CLOs simple andless in number. The following CLOs have been identified for this course along with theMechanical Engineering Program Outcomes (ME POs) and weightage. Notice that thetotal weightage of the ME POs under each CLO adds up to 100%. Finally, certain POsare common for each CLO, thus satisfying those outcomes to a great extent.Course Learning Objectives:Objective 1: Apply the principles of Statics to determine the forces and moments on load carrying members. [ME POs a (35%), c (30%), e (30%), and i (5%)]Objective 2: Analyze the stresses in load carrying members

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

materials is $500).In addition, we present the details of five experiments that can be performed utilizing the device.For each experiment, we provide the objective, procedure, and recommended data analysis. Thefive experiments are: 1) Particle Equilibrium: Tension Components in Cables of IndependentLengths; 2) Particle Equilibrium: Tension Components in Cables of Equal Lengths; 3) ParticleEquilibrium: Equilibrium Position of a Pulley System; 4) Rigid Body Equilibrium: Tension ina Cable; and 5) Friction: Friction Force as a Function of Contact Angle. Each experiment canbe compared to a theoretical analysis with good agreement, providing the student with a hands-on experience to advance the student’s understanding of these

Conference Session

Innovative Teaching Techniques in Mechanics

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rungun Nathan, Villanova University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

needs of a varied student population in any given classroom.Introduction"Three principles from brain research: emotional safety, appropriate challenges, and selfconstructed meaning suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to classroom instruction isineffective for most students and harmful to some." 1 Still classroom teaching/instructionat most colleges and universities is carried out with the one-size-fits-all approach. Whilemost school districts in the United States of America implement DI in their publicschools that will address students with diverse needs, abilities, strengths, experiences andinterests in order to best support their learning, most colleges do not adopt this technique.So what is differentiated instruction? According to

Conference Session

Improving Mechanics Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Madhukar Vable, Michigan Technological University; William Kennedy, Michigan Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

that will be used in the devel-opment of ‘MOM in Action’ modules are those that educational research and neuroscience con-siders important in the learning and the retention of concepts.The two modules discussed below are attached at the end of this paper.4. 1 Module 1: Stress and Sumatra tsunamisIn the introductory mechanics of materials course, the concept of normal and shear stress areintroduced. Having seen some numerical examples in class and their textbooks, the student wouldhave a rudimentary concept of stress. At this stage, module 1, which describes the tsunami thathad a devastating effect on South Asia could be introduced.The first paragraph of module 1 describes the event, nature’s awesome power that is unleashed inan earthquake and

Conference Session

What's New in Dynamics?

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

L. Glenn Kraige, Virginia Tech; Imran Akhtar, Virginia Tech; Saurabh Bisht, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

Tech. He served as the Visual Basic programmer for the three vibrations modules presented in this paper. Page 12.244.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 Animation Software for Upper-Level Dynamics and Vibrations CoursesAbstractFour software modules for upper-undergraduate/first-graduate-level dynamics and vibrationscourses are presented. The modules treat (1) single-degree-of-freedom spring-mass-dampersystems, (2) up to three-degree-of-freedom systems, (3) transverse vibration of uniform beams,and (4) three-dimensional rigid-body attitude dynamics. The first three modules use the VisualBasic platform and have been

Conference Session

Innovative Mechanics Education Programs and Projects

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

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

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

factorof safety they felt comfortable in specifying, and a discussion on the trade-offs between risk andcost and the role of design codes followed. Page 12.230.2Summer Ventures ProgramSummer Ventures in Science and Mathematics is a state-wide program of the University ofNorth Carolina System.1 Rising high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for theprogram, and participants are selected based on academic ability, motivation to study math andscience topics, and emotional maturity. Students spend four weeks in residence at one of sixparticipating UNC campuses. During the first three weeks, students work in three subject areas,chosen from

Conference Session

Mechanics Division Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wayne Johnson, Armstrong Atlantic State University; Priya Goeser, Armstrong Atlantic State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

,these problems were modified to utilize computational modeling techniques and presented asprojects to the students in the Computational Modeling course. The students worked in groupsof two on these projects. Page 12.957.4The first problem was taken from the Statics course textbook8. Based on Figure 1, the studentsdeveloped a MATLAB program to study the variation in M0 due to T=120 lbs as the position ofpoint B varies from (0,0,0) to (0,14,0). Figure 2 shows a plot of the variation in the x, y and zcomponents of M0 vs. the y-coordinate of point B. Figure 1. Variation of moment problem taken from Meriam and Kraige8

Conference Session

Innovative Teaching Techniques in Mechanics

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christopher Papadopoulos; Josh Bostwick, Cornell University; Andrew Dressel, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

. Page 12.1206.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 Promoting Holistic Problem-Solving in Mechanics PedagogyAbstractThe authors propose three strategies that are designed to enhance students’ understandingand problem-solving ability in introductory mechanics courses: (1) employing multiple-method problem-solving, in which students solve a given problem using more than onemethod; (2) organizing systems of linear equations into a standard “tabular” format whichresembles matrix format; and (3) emphasizing the discussion and use of assumptions inproblem-solving activities. The authors give a rationale for each strategy, present areview of several mechanics textbooks to determine the prevalence of these strategies,and provide

Conference Session

Innovative Mechanics Education Programs and Projects

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James Morgan, Texas A&M University; Luciana Barroso, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

curriculum.Course projects are based on realistic civil engineering examples, with an emphasis on theassumptions required to develop the analytical model. The projects are team assignments andrely on numerical analysis, a pre-requisite for the course. These projects have several objectives:(1) to allow students to tackle a larger and more realistic civil engineering dynamics problem, (2)expose students to computational tools used in solving dynamics problems for which a closedform solution does not exist, (3) evaluate critical thinking and communication skills. Theprojects also allow for the introduction to advanced engineering concepts, such as seismicresponse.This paper presents the implementation of this course for all civil engineering

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

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

most part, CE and ME students tookcommon core mechanics courses during the sophomore year, taught from a discipline specificperspective.However, like most engineering programs, mechanics courses offered first semester junior yearare discipline specific. CE students took CE312 Structural Analysis in which students learnabout the theory and application of structural analysis specifically applied to the analysis oftrusses, beams and frames. The first semester junior year for ME students begins with thetraditional core mechanical engineering course in Solid Mechanics (ME307), which includeselasticity and failure theories for combined stresses. Summarized in Figure 1 are the courses forboth the traditional and new curriculum for CE and ME students

Conference Session

Mechanics Division Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ing-Chang Jong, University of Arkansas; Joseph Rencis, University of Arkansas

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

approach.I. IntroductionThere are different well-known methods for determining deflections of beams in mechanics ofmaterials. These methods may include the following: 1 & 1 0 (a) method of double integration (with or without the use of singularity functions), (b) method of superposition, (c) method using moment-area theorems, (d) method using Castigliano’s theorem, and (e) conjugate beam method.This paper extends an earlier study on method of segments11 by using singularity functions andmodel formulas. As a result, the proposed new approach allows a considerable reduction in thenumber of segments required in the study. This new approach makes available an effectivemethod for mechanics educators and practitioners when it comes to determining

Conference Session

What's New in Dynamics?

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Phillip Cornwell, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

a lecture. The Direct Indirectreference used for much of this historical information is the Approach Approachwonderful first chapter of Fundamentals of Applied Dynamics byJames Williams.1 The biographical information came primarilyfrom a couple of great websites, The MacTutor History of - Newton - Leibniz 2 - Euler - John BernoulliMathematics Archive and Eric Weissteins’ World of Scientific 3 - D’AlembertBiography, both of which have huge collections of short

Conference Session

Innovative Mechanics Education Programs and Projects

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Phillip Cornwell, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Charles Farrar, Los Alamos National Laboratory; Peter Avitabile, University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

motivate students to go to graduate school, preference is usually given to studentswho are not yet in graduate school. Thus far, the students participating in the program have beenas follows: 67 students just finished their junior year, 30 students just received theirundergraduate degree, and 14 first year graduate students. Over 34 undergraduate universitieshave had students participate. Students in the program have had undergraduate majors inmechanical engineering (82), civil engineering (19), aerospace engineering (3), electricalengineering (4), engineering mechanics (2) and mathematics (1). Thus far, approximately 27%of the participants have come from underrepresented groups (13.5% women). The number ofapplicants has ranged from about 20 to 45

Conference Session

What's New in the Mechanics of Materials?

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andrea Surovek, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

illustrate the difference between contextual problems and those lacking context,consider a potential mechanics of materials problem: A shaft is subjected to the torque shown. Find A the shear stress developed in the shaft and the angle of twist at point A relative to point B. B Figure 1 A basic torsional shear stress problem in mechanics of materialsThe problem does not tell the students anything about the source of the torque, the likely use ofthe shaft, or anything else that might allow then to place some context on why it might bevaluable to know the shear stress or angle of twist. Even if the

Conference Session

Internet Delivery of Mechanics Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Boyle, Saint Mary's University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

student’s convenience,with the professor adding enrichment in class. A commercial software served as the workhorsefor most of the symbol and number manipulation required for the solution of textbook problems.The courses that are the subject of this paper were delivered using an electronic course packagewith the following components: 1) The framework was a commercial course management system (CMS). 2) Two recently published e-texts were employed, allied with evolving, and somewhat problematic, solution manuals. 3) Online tests were used with automatic marking of tests and assignments. What was gained and what was lost with synchronous marking is discussed. 4) The instructor’s e-lecture notes amplified, simplified and

Conference Session

Internet Delivery of Mechanics Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Paul Steif, Carnegie Mellon University; Anna Dollar, Miami University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

each section in a modulesignal to students if additional studying is needed to meet learning objectives.1. IntroductionThere is an increasing demand for engineering education around the world, as well as increasingopportunities to leverage technology for this purpose. As one response, we are seeking to createa complete on-line introductory-level Statics course for novice learners. This project is part of awider Open Learning Initiative (OLI) at Carnegie Mellon University, supported by the Williamand Flora Hewlett Foundation, to develop cognitively-informed high quality on-line courses.With this Statics course we hope to increase the number of learners that can be reached(including independent learners), and to support other instructors with

Conference Session

Improving Mechanics Courses

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Timothy Mays, The Citadel; Kevin Bower, The Citadel; Kyle Settle, The Citadel; Blake Mitchell, The Citadel

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

problems and that the problem may be a direct result of the presentationformat used by the course instructor (traditional lectures with long problems only) and thesimilar presentation format used by the course textbook. A hypothesis was developed in 2005that student performance may improve if the course material is presented in more of a “conceptoriented” format with short (1 to 2 line) example problems that illustrate this material. Hence, in2006 the author elected to modify the conclusion of each chapter’s material presentation bypresenting short concept only problems to improve student understanding of the key subjectmaterial. No other changes to the course material or presentation format were made in 2006.The objective exams show a marked

Conference Session

What's New in the Mechanics of Materials?

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Julie Linsey, University of Texas-Austin; Austin Talley, University of Texas--Austin; Daniel Jensen, U.S. Air Force Academy; Kristin Wood, University of Texas-Austin; Kathy Schmidt, University of Texas-Austin; Rachel Kuhr, University of Texas-Austin; Saad Eways, Austin Community College

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

, and they believe the activities enhance theirlearning. The majority of the assessment data also shows that the active learning activitiesenhance students’ understanding of the material. While these general findings exist, students’opinions of the activities do vary with learning styles, institutions and their generalunderstanding in the course. Learning styles, personality type, and perception of performance inthe class all have influence on the students’ opinions of the activities and will be measuredfurther in future activity development and evaluation.1. Introduction and MotivationActive learning approaches improve students’ overall learning1. There is considerable literaturethat addresses the advantages of using hands-on experiences in an