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Session 1626

Integrating Wind Engineering Research to Curriculum Through Multimedia

Partha P. Sarkar, Kishor C. Mehta, James R. McDonald, Ernst W. Kiesling Texas Tech University

ABSTRACT

A courseware development project, which aims to transfer the research results to curriculum through the multimedia technology in the multi-disciplinary area of wind cngineenng, is discussed in this article. This courseware, containing four modules, is designed to supplement certain senior undergraduate-level and introductory graduate-level courses in Civil Engineering, Atmospheric Science, and Architecture. The contents of the modules are based upon the research accomplishments in wind engineering at Texas Tech University. The purpose of this courseware is to enhance classroom instruction in universities which offer regular or short courses in wind-related subject areas.

I. INTRODUCTION

Buildings, industrial structures, and lifelines are major elements of civil and mechanical infrastructure in this country. The eastern and southern regions, with their vast coastline, are extremely vulnerable to hurricanes, and other parts of the country, identified as “tornado alley,” are ravaged by hundreds of tornadoes each year. Understanding the dynamics of the atmosphere and the mechanisms of the wind-generated forces on civil and mechanical infrastructures, and then optimally designing the various elements of the infrmtructure to withstand extreme wind climate, poses a major challenge to the engineering community. In the last few years, wind-related damage from tornadoes and hurricanes to the civil and mechanical infrastructures has far surpassed any damage caused by other natural forces. Educating our students in different science and engineering disciplines to understand wind and its effects, and teaching them various means to mitigate its potential damage to the built environment, will contribute to improved infrmtructure and quality of life. This project is the first of its kind in the nation in attempting to integrate wind engineering research into curriculum.

Each of the four courseware modules developed in this project can be used to assimilate instructional materials interactively on-line. These materials can be presented for various duration as needed in a 50 to 80- minute lecture period. The modules can also be used by students outside the classroom for further pursuing the topics for research. It is noted that these modules will be used as supplementary lecture materials in existing courses in the areas of civil and mechanical engineering, architecture, imd atmospheric science. A given course may utilize one to four modules (10 % to 25 % of the total course content). These modules will also be useful in short courses for professional continuing education. The four modules, which are in kvelopment, are (a) Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Hurricanes — A General Overview, (b) Damage Caused by Hurricanes and Tornadoes, (c) Impact of Windbome Debris, and (d) Wind Loading on Low-Rise Buildings.

##..% } 1996 ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings ‘,Dlla:

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Sarkar, P. P., & Mehta, K. C., & McDonald, J. R., & Kiesling, E. W. (1996, June), Integrating Wind Engineering Research To Curriculum Through Multimedia Paper presented at 1996 Annual Conference, Washington, District of Columbia. 10.18260/1-2--6127