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Multi-disciplinary Project and Collaborative Teams

Abstract

Multi-disciplinary Project and Collaborative Teams (MPACT) is a collaborative effort between faculty and undergraduate students of Civil and Electrical Engineering Technology programs. This project is part of an undergraduate research project supported by the Minority Access to Graduate Education and Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (MAGEC-STEM) program at Savannah State University (SSU) and sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The goal of MPACT is to support multi-disciplinary design and application experiences for Civil and Electrical Engineering Technology students. The collaborative team is to develop a simulation model to study the effects of movable loads on the abutments; and, shear and moment at specified points on simply-supported and a single over-hanging bridge beams using the LabView software. The results of the simulation model are then compared with the results obtained from the physical model. The physical model, called Support Reactions was developed by PASCO Engineering in cooperation with Professor Matt Ohland at Clemson University. The model consists of a steel beam that acts as a bridge beam and three interfacing sensors: two force sensors and one rotating motion sensor. The sensors record the time and the weight of the load at the given location on the beam. The movable load is simulated by a K’NEX model truck that is carrying a 4 inch diameter ball. As a result of the simulation model, a plot is generated to show the influence of the movable load on the beam supports, the shear, and the moment at specified points. The influence diagram for the support reactions is compared to the physical model plot while the influence line of the shear and moment are compared to a manual solution. This data is compared with the simulation model using LabView to confirm the accuracy of the simulation model.

Introduction

It has been documented in literature that involving engineering undergraduates in research may help the student become more passionate about the engineering subject under study, create interest and appreciation for research practice, improve the critical thinking process in problem-solving and could serve as motivation for further education in graduate school1. Minority Access to Graduate Education and Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (MAGEC-STEM) program at Savannah State University (SSU) and sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) provide minority students with undergraduate research experience at the freshmen level and continues through their bachelor degree in STEM field. The main goal of the MAGEC- STEM at SSU is to significantly increase the number of ethnic minority students that graduate in STEM and continue to graduate school. Pursuant to this goal, one of the main activities is the involvement of undergraduate STEM students in research.

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Mustafa, M., & Alva, R., & Yousuf, A. (2009, June), Multidisciplinary Project And Collaborative Teams Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--4838