Hernandez, E., & Uddameri, V., & Gurley, A. (2022, August), Enhancing Undergraduate Civil Engineering Mechanics of Fluids Laboratory Experiences using Sensors and Computing Tools  Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--41744

\bibitem{asee_peer_41744}
  Hernandez, E., \& Uddameri, V., \& Gurley, A. (2022, August), \emph{Enhancing Undergraduate Civil Engineering Mechanics of Fluids Laboratory Experiences using Sensors and Computing Tools}
  Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition, Minneapolis, MN.
  10.18260/1-2--41744

Elma Hernandez, Venkatesh Uddameri, and Ameri Gurley.  "Enhancing Undergraduate Civil Engineering Mechanics of Fluids Laboratory Experiences using Sensors and Computing Tools".  2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN, 2022, August.  ASEE Conferences, 2022.  https://peer.asee.org/41744 Internet.  02 May, 2024

\bibitem{asee_peer_41744}
  Elma Hernandez, Venkatesh Uddameri, and Ameri Gurley.
  "Enhancing Undergraduate Civil Engineering Mechanics of Fluids Laboratory Experiences using Sensors and Computing Tools".
  \emph{2022 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition, Minneapolis, MN, 2022, August}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2022.
  https://peer.asee.org/41744 Internet.  02 May, 2024

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_41744
author = "Elma Hernandez, Venkatesh Uddameri, and Ameri Gurley"
title = "Enhancing Undergraduate Civil Engineering Mechanics of Fluids Laboratory Experiences using Sensors and Computing Tools"
booktitle = "2022 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition"
year = "2022"
month = "August"
address = "Minneapolis, MN"
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/41744}
number = {10.18260/1-2--41744}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - Fluid mechanics laboratories traditionally use manual hydraulic instrumentation such as piezometers, venturi meters to make pressure and flow measurements and illustrate conservation of mass, energy and momentum.  While these types of instruments continue to be used in the industry, there are also new sets of microprocessor-controlled instruments that are increasingly being utilized to make real time flow and energy measurements in real world systems.  In addition to focusing on illustrating fundamental concepts related to flow, energy conservation, major and minor losses in pipes and open channels, it is also important to expose students to modern instrumentation methods that they will likely encounter in their practicing careers.  Micro-processor based tools also help extend data collection outside traditional laboratory class times allowing students to work with high volume, high frequency (velocity) data.  In addition, these processors can be programmed to collect data at different accuracies/precision thus enabling students to understand the veracity of measurements and associated uncertainties.  Students also get a first-hand experience of various sensors and concepts related to physical computing (hardware/software integration) that is necessary in modern data collection endeavors.  

A sequence of micro-processor based sensors and web-based dashboards were introduced into the junior level mechanics of fluids laboratory making use of Arduinos, ESP8266s and Raspberry Pi environments.  In particular, the Hall effect sensor for flow measurement, ultrasonic and laser based sensors for depth and hydraulic head measurements, temperature and salinity sensors were integrated to collect data in tandem with conventional hydraulic instruments and conservation principles.  Students were exposed to the setup of the sensors and the associated software required to run the sensors.  This allowed students to understand the role of indirect measurements (example voltage differences) and the role of calibration in obtaining hydraulic data.  The ESP8266 allowed for integration of data with the cloud using ThingSpeak framework to demonstrate wireless sensing capabilities.  The precision of measurements were controlled via programming and students were asked to evaluate which instrumentation provided greater precision in an effort to dispel the myth that automatic data acquisition does not necessarily imply accurate data collection.  Informal and formal evaluation on the incorporation of micro-processor based sensors indicated students appreciated these additions to the laboratory as it provided them with exposure to modern data collection practices.  In addition, the incorporation of these sensors partially overcame modifications to the civil engineering curriculum which resulted in removal of a course on introductory circuits.  The use of Sensors and Online Dashboards in the lab also enabled downstreaming of the computational thinking concepts that students are being exposed to as part of a newly implemented common first year experience in the college of engineering.
AU  - Elma Hernandez
AU  - Venkatesh Uddameri
AU  - Ameri Gurley
CY  - Minneapolis, MN
DA  - 2022/08/23
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Enhancing Undergraduate Civil Engineering Mechanics of Fluids Laboratory Experiences using Sensors and Computing Tools
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/41744
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--41744
ER  -