Designed beam deflections lab project

Abstract

Structural mechanics courses generally are challenging for engineering technology students. The comprehensive learning process requires retaining knowledge from prior mechanics, materials, and mathematic courses and connecting theoretical concepts to practical applications. The various methods for determining deflection of the beams, especially statically indeterminate beams, are always hard for students to understand and require substantial effort in and out of class. To improve learning efficacy, enhance content understanding, and increase structural learning interest, a laboratory group project focusing on beam deflections has been designed for strength of materials students. The project spans design, analysis, construction, and validation testing of a metal bridge. Students design, construct, and test their bridges and do corresponding beam deflection calculations to verify the beam deflection type. Each group provides a technical experimental project report presenting their design idea, sketches, data analysis, and results discussion. Pre-project and post-project surveys focused on learning efficacy, topic understanding, laboratory, and team working were completed by the students. This paper presents the results of both student surveys and the analysis of the related learning outcomes from examinations. Learning outcome achievement was compared to those of previous students who completed a highly structured beam deflection laboratory exercise rather than the beam deflection project.