Torsion Mobile App for Engineering Education Using a High Performance Computer (HPC) Cluster

Kurt C. Gramoll

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Conference: 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Seattle, Washington
Publication Date: June 14, 2015
Start Date: June 14, 2015
End Date: June 17, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-692-50180-1
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Mechanics of Materials
Tagged Division: Mechanics
Page Count: 14
Page Numbers: 26.1587.1 - 26.1587.14
DOI: 10.18260/p.24923
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/24923
Download Count: 635

Paper Authors

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Kurt C. Gramoll University of Oklahoma

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Prof. Kurt Gramoll is currently the Hughes Centennial Professor of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. He has previously taught at the University of Memphis and Georgia Tech. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a PhD in Engineering Science and Mechanics in 1988. His research includes development and implementation of educational technologies for engineering education and training that utilize simulations.

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Abstract

Torsion Mobile App for Engineering Education Using a High Performance Computer (HPC) ClusterEngineering students are rapidly expecting learning tools to be delivered on their tablets andsmart phones, including simulation tools for basic courses such as solid and fluid mechanics. Toaddress this issue, a basic torsional stress simulation tool for mobile devices was developed andimplemented into a traditional first year solid mechanics class (Mechanics of Materials). Theapp, torsionHPC, allows students to determine stresses for a variety of common torsional shaftcross sections. The app was used in class for discussion and homework assignments. The paperpresents how the app was developed and used. Student comments and response is also includedin the paperRunning engineering simulations using FEA on a mobile device was investigated forresponsiveness and speed. Users expect quick response for tablets and smart phones, but theyhave relatively slow CPUs when compared to desktop computers. The solution was to do allnumerical calculations at a remote server or server cluster. This allowed the actual the FEM codeto be compiled for a high-end server with multiple cores. Still, a number of innovative methodshad to be developed to ensure multiple users can access the servers at one time. Currently, a250,000 DOF linear torsional problem can be solved in less than 12 seconds, which includesnetwork communication and solving time.The paper also discusses developing engineering mobile apps as a non-computer scientist. Thework determined that Abobe AIR development framework allows relatively easy development ofweb and mobile apps when compared to native programming or HTML5 with JavaScript. AIRalso avoids programming the same app three times (web browsers, Android and iOS).Programming with AIR framework requires using ActionScript which is similar to JavaScript orC#, and is reasonably easy to learn. Unlike traditional desktop (and laptop) computers, mobiledevices generally must download software through specific web sites such as Apple App Storeand Google Play Store. The paper explores the problems with preparing academic apps fordelivery through the Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for iOS devices.

Citation
Format

Gramoll, K. C. (2015, June), Torsion Mobile App for Engineering Education Using a High Performance Computer (HPC) Cluster Paper presented at 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/p.24923

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                   Torsion Mobile App for Engineering Education                Using a High Performance Computer (HPC) ClusterEngineering students are rapidly expecting learning tools to be delivered on their tablets andsmart phones, including simulation tools for basic courses such as solid and fluid mechanics. Toaddress this issue, a basic torsional stress simulation tool for mobile devices was developed andimplemented into a traditional first year solid mechanics class (Mechanics of Materials). Theapp, torsionHPC, allows students to determine stresses for a variety of common torsional shaftcross sections. The app was used in class for discussion and homework assignments. The paperpresents how the app was developed and used. Student comments and response is also includedin the paperRunning engineering simulations using FEA on a mobile device was investigated forresponsiveness and speed. Users expect quick response for tablets and smart phones, but theyhave relatively slow CPUs when compared to desktop computers. The solution was to do allnumerical calculations at a remote server or server cluster. This allowed the actual the FEM codeto be compiled for a high-end server with multiple cores. Still, a number of innovative methodshad to be developed to ensure multiple users can access the servers at one time. Currently, a250,000 DOF linear torsional problem can be solved in less than 12 seconds, which includesnetwork communication and solving time.The paper also discusses developing engineering mobile apps as a non-computer scientist. Thework determined that Abobe AIR development framework allows relatively easy development ofweb and mobile apps when compared to native programming or HTML5 with JavaScript. AIRalso avoids programming the same app three times (web browsers, Android and iOS).Programming with AIR framework requires using ActionScript which is similar to JavaScript orC#, and is reasonably easy to learn. Unlike traditional desktop (and laptop) computers, mobiledevices generally must download software through specific web sites such as Apple App Storeand Google Play Store. The paper explores the problems with preparing academic apps fordelivery through the Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for iOS devices.
AU  - Kurt C. Gramoll
CY  - Seattle, Washington
DA  - 2015/06/14
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Torsion Mobile App for Engineering Education Using a High Performance Computer (HPC) Cluster
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/24923
DO  - 10.18260/p.24923
ER  -