Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Brian Jenkins

traditionallydifficult to teach at a blackboard using mathematical derivation. In engineering, ideas also may besimple mathematically but physically counterintuitive. Computer simulation can enable a studentto jump over the hurdle that an abstract physical concept presents. High levels of abstraction areespecially prevalent in electromagnetic field theory and Fourier analysis, two disciplines which arefundamental in fiber optic communication theory. We use animation and simulation in MATLABto help students grasp some of the more complex topics in these disciplines.MATLAB is a matrix driven language which integrates numerics and graphics in a single package.1It provides a computing environment which is relatively easy for the students to understand. Thiscan be

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Brian Jenkins

traditionallydifficult to teach at a blackboard using mathematical derivation. In engineering, ideas also may besimple mathematically but physically counterintuitive. Computer simulation can enable a studentto jump over the hurdle that an abstract physical concept presents. High levels of abstraction areespecially prevalent in electromagnetic field theory and Fourier analysis, two disciplines which arefundamental in fiber optic communication theory. We use animation and simulation in MATLABto help students grasp some of the more complex topics in these disciplines.MATLAB is a matrix driven language which integrates numerics and graphics in a single package.1It provides a computing environment which is relatively easy for the students to understand. Thiscan be

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Donald A. Smith; Cole J. Brooking

Enhance the Teaching of Engineering Dynamics." Computer Applications in Engineering Education, V3 # 7 1995, pp. 21-28 Page 3.494.3[5] Watkins, J., G. Piper, K. Wedward, & E.E. Mitchell, "Computer Animation: A Visualization Tool for Dynamic System Simulations", Proc. 1997 ASEE Annual Conference, Session 1620, June 1997Cole J. Brooking is currently a Graduate Student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington.After receiving his BSME from the University of Wyoming, he interned at The Mathworks, Inc., studyingMechanical Engineering applications of MATLAB. His current research work involves shape skeleton based

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Kathi Cahill; Joe C. Guarino

Session 1658 TS/2 IMPLEMENTING DESIGN-BASED ENGINEERING EDUCATION WITH COMPUTER SIMULATIONS Joe C. Guarino, Kathi Cahill Mechanical Engineering Department Boise State University ABSTRACTDesign-Based Engineering Education (DBEE) is a method for introducing design intobasic engineering science courses. DBEE uses specially structured computer-simulationmodules to introduce basic principles through a discovery-learning process. The DBEEmodules are supported by Working ModelTM; an engineering simulation software packagedeveloped and

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

S. A. Tennyson; R. J. Eggert

oscillates about the pivot joint. During themotion, three bar graphs track the kinetic and potential energy of the spring and bar as a functionof bar position. Two slider controls can be manipulated to change the spring constant and barmass, thereby changing the period of oscillation and the bar’s range of motion. The user canclick and drag the bar to various positions, also displaying corresponding changes in the velocityand position meters, and the energy charts, that is the five functional performance variables. Thedisplay response is instantaneous on a Pentium 166 MHz PC.The benefits of computer simulations and animations are numerous: • Automated computation. Computer simulations automate the model computations. In the example above, the

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Ronald D. Earley; Thomas G. Boronkay

authors’ beliefthat the approach taken is on the right track. The negative comments centered around theTutorial Workbook. Some typos and other errors in the first edition created some confusion.ConclusionThe authors feel that reinforcing the lecture portion of a Dynamics course with problems solvedwith a computer simulation software package, such as the one used, does generate studentinterest. Graphic animation seem to improve students understanding and visualizing of dynamicsproblems. Several students saw the potential of applying this type of simulation to practicalproblems encountered in industry.The plan is to revise and expand the Workbook to make error free and more user friendly. Aformal evaluation of this approach is also planned at both

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

C. Faye; N.W. Scott; B.J. Stone

apply. 4 . ResultsThus, the hourly rate for a 250 W computer is 3.1875 cents.Computers were operated 40 hours per week for 39 weeks per i) For condition A (where s is the number of students):year for a annual load of 1,560 hours every year. Cost function for traditional tutorial,iv) Monitoring: this includes monitoring of the C t (s) = $7,200 + $226scomputer system as well as the students’ performance. The Cost function for computer-based

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Thomas F. Schubert Jr.; Kathleen A. Kramer

Session 1532 Demonstrating Complex Communication Systems Principles Using Electronic Courseware and a Simple Computer Math Package Kathleen A. Kramer and Thomas F. Schubert, Jr. University of San Diego AbstractWhile computer simulation can be used to augment student understanding of complex systemsand signals principles, knowledge of computer package specifics can form a major barrier tostudent understanding. A series of five electronic courseware modules for use in a senior-levelcommunication systems course are described. The modules are designed

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Warren D. Seider; J. D. Seader; Daniel R. Lewin

decades.Although, we believe strongly in the use of a process simulator throughout the course, much ofthe instruction for their use is provided in Appendices I-IV, as seen in Table 1. Theseappendices, which are referenced in the chapters, give many examples of computer input andoutput, and discuss in some detail the nature of the models provided for the processing units,with several example calculations presented as well. However, by far, the most completecoverage is provided in the multi-media CD-ROM that accompanies the textbook. The CD-ROM uses voice, video, and animation to introduce new users of steady-state simulators to thespecifics of the systems, especially for ASPEN PLUS and HYSYS. Several tutorials provideinstruction on the completion of input

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

S. D'Souza; N.W. Scott; B.J. Stone

choice.controlled vibration laboratory that is inherently safe and doesnot need an instructor. The laboratory is controlled through • The real apparatus as opposed to a simulation couldthe computer which protects both it and the student. Results allow open ended investigation and improved physicalare collected and analysed by the computer. Most importantly understanding of the topic.”the laboratory has been designed to behave in a different Lyons developed a single degree of freedom vibrationmanner from the theoretical models developed in lectures and

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Stephen R. McNeill; Jed S. Lyons

the security of thestudent’s computer, a plug-in registration procedure will be implemented. The integrity of theplug-in and the identity of the author will be verified before the plug-in is added to MaterialWorld.Processing and Testing Plug-Ins. After the student launches a processing or testing plug-in,they then input the experimental conditions. For example in the case of a Rockwell Hardnesstest, the students will select the applied load and type of indentor. They would be responsible forselecting the appropriate combination to give a valid result. When the simulation is started, thestudent will see a 2- or 3-D computer animation or digitized video segment. Animations arepreferred because they can be changed by the plug-in based on the

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Peter Idowu

calculations and plotting of results.Introduction of the IDAC system has offered the typical power engineering undergraduate aunique opportunity to learn the principles of real-time data acquisition, and to apply it in thestudy of electric machines.1. IntroductionA downward trend in enrollment in graduate and undergraduate electrical power engineeringprograms has been observed over the last decade or two 1-2. The causes have been attributedto shifting interests among the student population and stalling electrical load-growthdynamics, among others. Efforts to remedy the decline in interest have resulted in the wideruse of computer simulation tools. This has significantly aided students in gaining a betterunderstanding of power system devices and

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Sharon M. Schlossberg

100-120 students each year. At thattime, a teacher education and training component was added and the Technology Connectionname was adopted. To date, some one thousand students and one hundred teachers have partici-pated in the TC program. Page 3.545.11 Computer Science is offered within the College of Engineering at Florida Atlantic University.This paper begins with a statement of TC program “ I loved being able to build thingsgoals and objectives, followed by an overview of how with my hands; it was an experiencethe program works for students and for teachers. Pro- I’ll never forget. ... I’m thinking

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

John S. Schmalzel; Ralph A. Dusseau; Kauser Jahan

studentsextremely happy as it gives them a sense of completing a successful design-specifically their veryown first truss bridge design! This software helps students develop an appreciation of theaesthetics, innovation and creativity involved in engineering design and also the importance ofcomputer simulations to reduce efforts spent on repetitive calculations.Conclusions and Future RecommendationsIn real-world settings engineers work in multidisciplinary teams on a variety of complexproblems. The fundamental principles of measurement and their application are crucial to thesolution of these problems. This three week module effectively introduces students to commonstructural measurements through conventional and innovative computer-integrated

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Robert Allen; Richard Penson

a change in the patient’s condition. These have been criticised on the grounds of thehigh incidence of false alarms that destroy the confidence of the nursing staff This problemfrequently results in alarm levels being set so far apart as to be virtually useless. Detection oftrends provides the ability to anticipate problems and the modern powerful computers with theirWindows driven graphical displays with inbuilt alarms allows such a patient monitoring andnursing indicator to be developed. A simulation of the intracranial dynamics indicated a phase shiftbetween arterial pressure Pa and capillary to venous resistive flow Ircv which varies with changesto resistance to blood flow caused by accident trauma or invasive tumour growth. By

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Louis L. Bucciarelli

andrapid prototyping machinery, nor of computer systems, networks and software — although agood dose of these will be required — but first and foremost it requires a rethinking and redoingof our objectives, and a reform of content — the stuff we teach — and of context, —the way weteach and relate to students. These are tightly coupled. The second part of the argument is thatone way to achieve this transformation is through the infusion of open-ended exercisesthroughout the curriculum.“Open-endedness”What do I mean by “open-ended”: Productdissection is open-ended in that, althoughthe object is real, “hard”, and apparently allthere, faculty must constrain the task,suggest, if not prescribe, certain questions toask, and limit the extent of

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Douglas G. Schmucker

. Page 3.343.32.2 Physical DemonstrationsThe nature of most engineering disciplines lends itself to using physical models to demonstratelesson topics. This author firmly believes that physical models are an essential part of a balancedengineering curriculum. The expense both in terms of finances and time in devloping the modelscan be daunting, however. Indeed, the “cost”of the traditional laboratory is one reason the authorhas heard for justifying the development of computer simulation/animation programs. Apersonal concern for the author develops, though, as to whether students retain or even developan understanding of the real physical behavior of such “computerized” models. This authorasserts that computer models are best used as a supplement

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

Narayanan Komerath

poses a few obvious problems.They have not studied calculus, nor the concepts of equilibrium, resultant force, and moment, letalone moment of inertia, thermodynamics, and most of chemistry. Graphics is still in the future,so the term “3-view” makes no sense. Computing is in the future, and so is the training onexpressing and interpreting graphical data, and writing technical reports. These students lack thediscipline, the trait of rigorous reasoning, the technical and emotional maturity, the work ethicand the in-depth knowledge inculcated by the 10 quarters leading up to Capstone Design.Lessons from Prior Work 3-14Several approaches have been used to engage the