Using case studies and educational technology to teach structural analysis and design to construction engineering and management undergraduates

Abstract

During the Fall 2019 semester, 19 construction engineering and management undergraduate students were enrolled in one four-credit course that combined structural analysis and design, which has typically been taught as two separate courses for civil engineering students. To engage the students and increase subject mastery, case studies and MasteringEngineeringâ„¢ are used. The main objective of this study is to examine relationships of student learning when analyzing and calculating design loads on structural members using the ASCE standard Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE/SEI 7-16). Students worked in groups of 3-4 during a 50-minute in-class design lab to determine the design load acting on structures, where many of the case studies consisted of structural failures due to excessive loads or under-designed members that may have resulted in structural collapse. Online interactive educational technology, which provided video tutorials, were also integrated into our learning management system (LMS) for supplemental instruction outside the classroom. In this study, the case studies appeared to help reinforce basic concepts for determining loads on structural members while also helping to motivate learning. Based on analytics from the LMS, students who viewed the course content more frequently earned either an A or B in the class, suggesting a link between increased student preparedness and performance.