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Session 1526

DESIGN OF AN AFFORDABLE MODEL LABORATORY FOR MECHANICAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAMS

Bijan Sepahpour

The College of New Jersey Department of Engineering Ewing, New Jersey 08628-0718 609. 771. 3463 sepahpou@tcnj.edu

Laboratory experimentation is a critical final link for a thorough understanding of scientific and engineering theories. Development of the laboratory components plays a significant role in the enhancement and completeness of the engineering courses and programs. Twelve experiments are presented for adaptation in undergraduate mechanical and civil engineering programs. These experiments are related to topics in mechanics of materials and dynamics of machinery. Enthusiastic undergraduate students have been participating in the processes of research, design and development necessary for materializing all components of the Model Laboratory. Their understanding of group dynamics and appreciation for cost-effective and superior designs has enhanced. A comprehensive and user-friendly web site is constructed to provide all necessary information for fabrication and application of these experiments and their associated apparatuses. This includes the outline of the experiments, the required equipment and time, complete set of blueprints, detailed parts list, reliable sources, cost analysis, and degree of difficulty and the time involved in machining and fabrication for each of the experiments. The cost-effectiveness, diversity, and high caliber of the proposed experiments make them suitable for use in the majority of undergraduate programs nationwide. As a package, they may lay the foundation for a starting laboratory course or selectively, each may be added to the existing archives of experiments at many undergraduate engineering programs.

I - INTRODUCTION

Laboratory experimentation is a critical final link for a thorough understanding of scientific and engineering theories. Every possible effort should be made not to deprive the future engineers or educators from this vital component of their education. Many colleagues involved in the teaching and conducting of laboratory courses subscribe to this ancient Chinese proverb:

"When I hear, I forget; When I see, I remember; and When I do, I understand."

This paper describes the parameters involved in generation of an exemplary and yet affordable undergraduate laboratory designed for conducting experiments in Mechanics of Materials and Dynamics of Machinery. The central role of the undergraduate students and the instrumental role of the coordinator in achieving this task are discussed.

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Sepahpour, B. (2003, June), Design Of An Affordable Model Laboratory For Mechanical And Civil Engineering Programs Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--11576