Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Thomas J. Dobrowski

Adaptation of a University Soils Mechanics Course for a Union Technician Training Program Thomas J. Dobrowski Department of Construction Science and Organizational Leadership, Purdue Northwest, 1401 South U.S. Highway 421, Westville, Indiana 46391; e-mail: tdobrows@pnw.edu Abstract mechanics and the benefits to both the university and the trade union. When dealing with the term“geotechnical”, most often engineersassociate this with the engineering during the 1. Introductiondesign phase. However, equally important is Decisions made in the

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Dani Fadda P.E.; Oziel Rios

activity is designed for The goal of this activity is presented. The problemfreshman students who declare a mechanical engineering major. statement is provided followed by a description of the supportThis activity is part of an introductory course given during the materials that provide scaffolding to freshman level students asfirst year to introduce students to mechanical engineering and they work on the activity. A section on goal attainment isgive

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Steve E. Watkins; Nancy M. Ostin

recognize and encourage and HKN, mechanical engineering has the Americanhigh scholarship and/or leadership achievement in some Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Pi Taubroad or specialized field of study.” It further lists Sigma, civil engineering has the American Society of Civilminimum eligibility criteria for scholastic excellence and Engineers (ASCE) and Chi Epsilon, and chemicalmember-center work of honor societies. Typical activities engineering has the American Institute of Chemicaland programs are given as awards, recognition, support Engineers (AIChE) and Omega Chi Epsilon. (For IEEE(scholarships, fellowships and grants), program initiatives, and HKN the

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Sreedevi Ande P.E.

subsequent courses, namely Dynamics and However, a recommendation and an opportunity was givenMechanics of materials. Hence it becomes critical for any to them to change teams after two quizzes. It was observedengineering student to understand and grasp the concepts of that the students were reluctant to change their teams asStatics course as it gives the students an ability to master some students did not seem to be concerned about theirfollow-up material in upper level engineering courses. team members, and the remaining students already formedTherefore, improving learning in the subject of Engineering teams with their friend(s) on day one. They were fourStatics deserves significant attention

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Aaron T. Hill; Michael C. Campbell

grades), improving student learning, and materials. above 70%. Previous year, 94% earnedcreating an efficient cooperative mechanism for students to above 70%.present their work. Design Review efficiency proved valid Describe and model the Averaging EDP1,as time survey data collected from students showed an path of gravity and EDP2, and Structuralaverage of 83.5 minutes per student per lesson with the

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Alireza Yazdanshenas; Joseph Oyedele; Emilli Morrison; Chung Hyun Goh

Practicum of Systems Integration in Engineering Education Alireza Yazdanshenas, Joseph Oyedele, Emilli Morrison, Chung Hyun Goh* Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Tyler 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX, 75799, U.S.A. *cgoh@uttyler.edu Abstract desired product. Systems integration (SI) facilitates efficient delivery for the overarching This project asked engineering students to functionality in the product. This SI technique hasdevelop a multi-subsystem design that would been widely used in many companies, even thoughproduce electricity

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Vijaya Gopu; Ayman Okeil; Roger Seals

considered to be reasonably representative. Forty-three1. Introduction professionals from a broader sampling of CEE sub While civil and environmental engineering (CEE) disciplines completed the second survey. The respondentsundergraduate curricula generally incorporate laboratory were somewhat skewed toward structural engineeringcourses in such topics as material testing, fluid mechanics, (44%). The years of practice of the respondents varied fromand geotechnical engineering, among others, the subject 0-2 years to over 31 years. Respondents with 6 or morematter is often limited to either an experimental years of experience varied from 86% of the broader

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Zachary Hall; Gary Baxter; Neil X. Dong; Shih-Feng Chou

Prevention Strategies of Traumatic Brain Injury in Football Players Zachary Hall1§, Gary Baxter2, Neil X. Dong3, and Shih-Feng Chou1† 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Tyler 3900 University Blvd., Tyler, TX, 75799, USA 2 Project Rose Research Institute for Sports Science 1814 Roseland Blvd #100, Tyler, TX, 75701, USA 3 Department of Health and

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Hyun Seop Lee; Y. D. Kim; Edwin Thomas

payoffs and a frameworkabove three methods, students were guided to the validation for continuous quality enhancement. Faculty members at theof assumptions of theories. university help to manage the contextualization of engineering design theory and practice. This would not only1. Introduction bring invaluable experience into design classrooms and In engineering education, educators found that some studios, but would also help to alleviate the burden ofstudents learn sequentially, mastering a material more or less faculties who want to teach design because they areas

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Heather S. Rose; Charles R. Upshaw; Joshua D. Rhodes; Yuval Edrey; Michael E. Webber

Development of a Rooftop Collaborative Experimental Space through Experiential Learning Projects Heather S. Rose, Charles R. Upshaw, Joshua D. Rhodes, Yuval Edrey, Michael E. Webber University of Texas at Austin, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 204 E. Dean Keeton St. Austin TX, 78752 E-mail: heatherrose@utexas.edu, crupshaw@utexas.edu Abstract This paper provides the motivation of the lab, anThe Solar, Water, Energy, and Thermal Laboratory accounting of the equipment and systems that are included,(SWEAT Lab) is a rooftop experimental space at the and a

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Jeffrey Thompson; Mulugeta Gizaw; Shih-Feng Chou

addition of the ASA increasing thevoltages, and a distance of 7 to 9 cm from the tip of the needle spinnability of the fibers. Uniformity measurements on blankto the stationary collector plate. fiber mat (PCL/CHI = 100/0) revealed that fibers were mostly2.3 SEM Imaging and Material Characteristics deposited at the center of the collection plate and gradually Fiber morphologies and fiber diameters were analyzed by leveled off toward outer area (Figure 3).using a JOEL scanning electron microscopy. Circular punches 3.2 Mechanical Testingwere taken from the fiber mats and sputter coated with Au/Pd Representative engineering stress and engineering strainfor 30 s using

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Jorge Leon; Angie Hill Price; Mathew Kuttolamadom

design, advanced manufacturing processes andskills in engineering project and personnel supervision and materials, and smart production systems,management. None of the identified “similar” programs in (2) Develop practical solutions for complexTexas provide integrated manufacturing and mechanical manufacturing or mechanical problems present inengineering education. industry, and Further, within the Texas A&M University System, all (3) Apply engineering project supervision and personnelmasters in engineering technology programs, except for management skills for careers in manufacturing,West Texas A&M University, are

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

S. Nasrazadani; S. Sekar; N. Padamati; X. Wang; F. Gamez-Rivas

mechanical testing, non-destructive testing etc. that areboth oral presentation form and written term paper form covered in depth in most undergraduate programs.followed the format of a well-established technical papers. However, there are some other advanced topics of such asResults of such exercises allows graduate students devote utilization of analytical systems such as scanning electronskills in using scientific instruments and practice microscopy, elemental analysis techniques such as energymanuscript preparations for publication. This paper dispersive spectroscopy, atomic absorption, and phasepresents examples of a case studies done by groups of analysis such as x-ray diffraction (XRD) and

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Tariq Khraishi; Kristine Denman

How Does An Online Version of A Class Compares To An In-Class Version? Tariq Khraishi1, Kristine Denman2 University of New Mexico, Mechanical Engineering Department1, New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center2 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA E-mail: khraishi@unm.edu Abstract and non-completion rates were higher in the online classes than the face-to-face classes. Here, comparative data from the same course offeredusing two different methods: In

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Oziel Rios

An Example of Teaching Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) Concepts using 3D Printed Parts Oziel Rios, Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering Department The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science (The Jonsson School) The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX, 75080, USA E-mail: oziel.rios@utdallas.edu Abstract to more clearly communicate functional relationships Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is between features in drawings [4

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Christine Julien

use of failure as a (e.g., HTML and HTTP). The students then perform a two-steplearning mechanism for software engineering was found to be task with a set of smart light bulbs1. First, the students directlyan important element in game-based learning [22]. In our issue RESTful commands to an actual light using a webcourse, for instance, students are set up with tasks that are interface. Second, the students augment an existing Androidmore prone to failure when good

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Hector A. Ochoa; Mukul V. Shirvaikar

changing the book, major issue in the choice of major when competing for studentand changing the syllabus. A large amount of work needs to be attention vis-à-vis other majors like mechanical and civildone in terms of selecting the book that will accommodate the engineering that are very much hands-on in nature. Anothercourse, the device that should be used, the laboratory content, issue may be the requirement that students have to learnand even how much time needs to be dedicated for every

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

John R. Clegg; Kenneth R. Diller

. During initial considerationsreadily transferred the problem-solving framework, learned students sort through the available information to establish anwithin a biotransport context, to solve biomechanics problems. initial hierarchy of relevance and importance and to identify ifAdditionally, we observed significant increases over time in there are any materials key to subsequent analysis that appearsstudents’ confidence in their ability to complete challenges to be missing. After formulating

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

David Ewing

will show that the pass rates of To implement the SCALE-UP method into thethree subsequent mechanical engineering classes, Statics, curriculum, several modifications of the existing spaceDynamics, and Strength of Materials, increased after were necessary. First, a new, SCALE-Up classroom wasENGR 1300 was implemented. constructed. Students are arranged around circular tables in1. Introduction teams of three, and marker boards are mounted around theTwo and a half years ago, UTA replaced a one credit, room. This arrangement allows students to solve problemstraditionally-styled introduction to engineering class

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

John Etringer; Stephen OÍBrien; Austin Updegraff; Timothy Langerhans; Andrew Nadjari; Chan Kim; Aaron Hill; Michael Campbell

a member was nearly double what members are understanding of how to read and interpret rules. The teamallowed to be this year. This change lends itself to creating found a law and legal studies major with experience in botha more complex bridge. While previous years’ teams relied statics and mechanics of materials to fit the job description.heavily on past designs, this year’s rules changes were so The success of this initiative cannot be concluded at theextraordinary that full reliance on previous designs would time of publication; however, the team believes that thenot be nearly as beneficial as in the past. decision to dedicate a team member solely to the When confronted with the issue

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Freddie Davis; Roy Issa; Kenneth Leitch; peter Hughes

by embedding phase changeTexas A&M University, students are exposed to a variety material (PCM) inside building walls. The purpose of thisof sustainability-oriented projects through senior design project is to have senior engineering students from both theand research courses. The projects are selected to provide mechanical and civil engineering programs design aan in-depth understanding of the investigated area through prototype composite residential wall that incorporatesanalytical and experimental studies. In this particular phase change material to optimize the temperature gradientproject, students in thermal design were asked to across the composite wall, and to compare the

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Madeline Small; Monica Jackson; Pierre Neuenschwander; Shih-Feng Chou

. Chen, A.degradation. Huang, L.-S. Turng, Post-crosslinkable biodegradable3.2 Blood Coagulation thermoplastic polyurethanes: Synthesis, and thermal, Blood clotting and thrombosis formation on an mechanical, and degradation properties, Materials and Design,implantable medical device can greatly affect the therapeutic 127, pp. 106–114, (2017).outcome of the initial treatment. If the implantable deviceinduces even very low levels of persistent pro-thrombotic

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Amir Karimi; Randall Manteufel

An Experiment with Flipped Classroom Concept in a Thermodynamics Course Amir Karimi, Randall Manteufel The University of Texas at San Antonio/Mechanical Engineering One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas, 78249, USA E-mail: amir.karimi@utsa.edu Abstract how to use tables, charts, appropriate equations, and software programs to evaluate thermodynamic properties. Basic power, and refrigeration, cycles are Flipped classroom is

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Ifte Choudhury

is the day of the week when the classPlumbing (MEP) Systems in Buildings to Construction meeting was held. It was a category variable with threeScience students at a state university. The course deals with levels: Monday (MONDAY), Wednesday (WEDDAY),design, operation, materials and installation methods of and Friday (FRIDAY).mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in Absence (ABSENCE). It indicates the absence of aconstruction. Learning outcomes and objectives of the

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Gholam H. Massiha; Shelton L. Houston

the State of Louisiana orprocedures, safety and loss prevention, quality control, in the Gulf South region that offer an MS in Systemsprocess operations, and systems management. It provides Technology. A thorough review of institutions that offerbroad-based mechanisms that address the analyses of goals some similar program aspects was performed. It isand requirements, economic implications, design-life noteworthy to mention that after this review, UL Lafayetteconsiderations, and the organization of multidisciplinary was even more excited about the potential and value of thisteams oriented toward solving highly complex problems program and how it better positioned Louisiana for

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Joseph A. Donndelinger

in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business. However,1. Introduction engineering students may also satisfy this requirement byInstilling an Entrepreneurial Mindset in undergraduate taking Global Business Economics and Communicationstudents is a foundational goal of the Engineering programs (GBEC), an elective course offered by Baylor’s School ofat Baylor University, as reflected in the mission statement of Engineering and Computer Science. This course is intendedthe Mechanical Engineering Department: for engineering students with deeper interests in exploring value creation opportunities from

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Raj Desai

taught and learned [6]. On the average about sixty percentin the United States. Recovered pallet lumber has been of all jobs in the U.S. are generated by firms with twenty orproposed as a potential source of material for value added fewer employees. Pallet recycling is largely a smallwood products. This recycling activity creates jobs, business enterprise. Large firms with over five hundreddecreases the volume of pallets going into landfills, and employees generate less than fifteen percent of all new jobseases the demand that new pallet manufacture places on [7]. Students have to learn to design in a way that istimber resources. Recycling is important due to low cost of

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Matt Leonard; Joseph Morgan; Jeremy P. Coffelt

outreach activities, the DSTR robots engineering undergraduate students in the Electronicare being used in the Introduction to Engineering course at Systems and Manufacturing-Mechanical programs workingBlinn College and in the Freshman Engineering curriculum in the Mobile Integrated Solutions Laboratory (MISL) atat Texas A&M University. DSTRs have also been selected Texas A&M University. Mr. Hebert Baumgartner, now anby NASA scientists as a low-cost lunar sample collector. The entrepreneur following his graduation, was lead mechanicalpaper will also discuss the newly developed DSTR-E (DSTR designer of the mobile platform. Mr. Colby Ryan and Ms.Engineering) unit which requires students

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Rochelle Williams; Sherri Frizell; Felecia Nave; Audie Thompson

of Texas at Austin April 4-6, 2018counselors at local area high schools were sent promotional participants to journal about not only what they learned thatmaterials, and the program was advertised on the day, but also consider the broader impacts of that activityUniversity’s website and other social media platforms. The on society. Projects focused on five areas of engineeringmost effective advertisement resulted from word-of-mouth (chemical, civil, computer and electrical engineer,promotion by PVAMU alumni. A particular focus was on mechanical) and computer science.Region 4 high schools in Houston, Texas that have a The mechanical

Collection

2018 Gulf Southwest Section Conference

Authors

Xiaohua Li

Immersion Wort Chiller Optimization: Project-Based Learning in Undergraduate Heat Transfer Xiaohua Li University of North Texas Mechanical & Energy Engineering, 3940 N Elm St, Suite F101, Denton, TX, 76207, USA E-mail: Xiaohua.li@unt.edu Abstract decades are problem-based learning (PBL) [2-6], and Project-Based Learning (PjBL) has been adopted as a project-based learning (PjBL) [7-10]. In problem-basedhighly effective teaching-learning style worldwide in the learning, students gain knowledge and skills bylast few