College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Architectural Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Architectural Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 2
Architectural Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Architectural Engineering
Date
6-2024
Primary Advisor
Anahid Behrouzi, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Architectural Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
This report documents the design of physical models, software aids, homework supplements, and industry-related activities to support the Learn by Doing philosophy in an undergraduate structural analysis lecture and laboratory course pairing offered at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in the Architectural Engineering department. The ARCE 302 Structural Analysis and ARCE 352 Structural Computing Analysis courses cover the fundamentals of analyzing indeterminate structures, primarily focusing on theoretical concepts and calculations.
Prior to the development of any new course materials for this project, feedback from students who had previously taken the courses was collected via a survey in the Winter 2024 quarter. The responses were largely positive for the proposed pedagogical interventions. Students felt the courses were primarily theoretical and calculation-based in their current state, such that incorporating physical models as well as tutorial supplements for software tool development and use of structural analysis programs would aid student comprehension of course topics.
Therefore, the efforts described in this report were undertaken to better support an engaging learning environment in the ARCE 302 and 352 courses where students would:
• Observe physical demonstrations that promote their intuition of structural behavior.
• Conduct experiments to verify deflections calculated with the Principle of Virtual Work and demonstrate that the theory is valid.
• Utilize and create Excel tools to compute deflection using the Force/Flexibility Method and Principle of Virtual Work.
• Develop computational models using the commercial structural analysis software SAP2000 to compare results to the theoretical methods mentioned previously.
Specifically, the final two items in the list were accompanied by detailed tutorial supplements to aid students in acquiring fundamental skills for Excel tool development and SAP2000 modeling, useful for future professional applications in structural engineering.
In summary, the intent of this report is to provide engineering educators with a guide on interactive techniques to communicate structural analysis course curricula in a manner that balances structural analysis theory with hands-on learning and industry preparation. Physical model fabrication drawings, sample data analysis, software supplements, class activity and homework handouts are included. Additional materials, such as solutions to class activities and the Excel spreadsheets can be requested via email to the faculty advisor on this report.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/arcesp/218
Supplemental Project Files