The development of a simulation engineering game to teach problem solving skills and team dynamics

Simulation technologies have become the corner stone of many training programs, from simple game–playing scenarios to totally immersive virtual reality simulators. However, many of these simple teaching aides merely tend to develop the manual dexterity of the learner. The game described in this paper develops the learner’s problem-solving skills and teamwork. The game under development is based on a simulated production line, constructing structures with Lego blocks. The game has three discrete phases; each with a briefing session, a production “run” and a debriefing session. It encourages observation and discussion of possible improvements required to increase productivity. This is achieved by the learning of good team interaction and the application of different problem-solving techniques. Initial feedback from students reveals that the simulated game provides a better method of observing the importance of team dynamics and the honing of problem solving skills

Effective use of WebCT in a problem-based learning course for a dual mode delivery

As part of a radical curriculum change, the Faculty of Engineering and Surveying at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) introduced a strand of four problem-based learning (PBL) courses in 2002 [1]. While the first of these courses concentrates on building team skills, the second in the strand, Engineering Problem Solving 2 (ENG2102), introduces statistical analysis, basic physics concepts and elements of GIS and mapping as part of the technical content. The annual enrolment in this course is about 250 including over 100 students studying this course externally. One of the important factors to be considered in the design and delivery of such course is to provide an effective e-learning system considering that a significant number of the students study through the distance mode

Flexural behavior of two-span continuous prestressed concrete girders with highly eccentric external tendors

[Abstract]: It is generally known that the flexural strength of beams prestressed with external tendons is comparatively lower than that of members with internal bonded tendons. One possible method of enhancing the flexural strength of such beams is to place the tendons at high eccentricity. To obtain an insight into the flexural behavior of beams with highly eccentric tendons, an experimental investigation is conducted on single-span and two-span continuous beams. The test variables include external tendon profile, loading pattern on each span, casting method, and confinement reinforcements. It is found that continuous girders with linearly transformed tendon profiles exhibit the same flexural behavior irrespective of tendon layout. The presence of confinement reinforcement enhances the ductility behavior but does not increase the ultimate flexural strength. The degree of moment redistribution is affected by the tendon layout and the loading pattern on each span. The results of the experimental investigation are discussed in this paper

Finite element analysis of fibre composite sandwich panel

This research work aims to understand the behaviour of fibre composite sandwich panel by using nonlinear Finite Element (FE) method. The original FRP sandwich panel is associated with waste of materials usage related to its ability to resist the external load and stay in the working load serviceability. The experimental analysis was done by CEEFC in the University of Southern Queensland and it showed that the failure load is (5-10) times the working load recommended by EUROCOMP. The analysis of composite FRP panel using 3D solid Finite Element and shell element shows a relatively accurate simulation for the behaviour of the FRP panel compare to the experimental results. The objective of this research is to verify the behaviour of FRP sandwich panel by using finite element methods. The numerical finite element model using traditional available ABAQUS software was developed to simulate the structural behaviour of FRP panel

Analysis of a typical railway turnout sleeper system using grillage beam analogy

A simplified grillage beam analogy was performed to investigate the behaviour of railway turnout sleeper system with a low value of elastic modulus on different support moduli. This study aimed at determining an optimum modulus of elasticity for an emerging technology for railway turnout application - fibre composites sleeper. The finite element simulation suggests that the changes in modulus of elasticity of sleeper, Esleeper and the sleeper support modulus, Us have a significant influence on the behaviour of turnout sleepers. The increase in Us from 10 to 40 MPa resulted in a 15% reduction in the bending moment while the increase in Esleeper from 1 GPa to 10 GPa has resulted in almost 75% increase in the bending moment. The shear forces in turnout sleepers is not sensitive to both the changes of the Esleeper and Us while the sleeper with low Esleeper tend to undergo greater settlement into the ballast. An Esleeper of 4 GPa was found optimal for an alternative fibre composite turnout sleeper provided that the Us is at least 20 MPa from the consideration of sleeper ballast pressure and maximum vertical deflection. It was established that the turnout sleeper has a maximum bending moment of 19 kN-m and a shear force of 158 kN under service conditions

Engineering an education research field for sustainable rural futures: research priorities and outcomes for enhancing agricultural, digital and regional futures

Engineering education is crucial to developing and graduating successful engineers whose work spans the sustainability of agricultural, digital and regional communities and hence contributes directly to the futures of those communities. Consequently it is vital that the field of engineering education research is as current and comprehensive as possible, in order to maximise the quality of engineering teaching and learning programs. This paper deploys a recent evaluative framework for analysing the engineering education research field (Borrego & Bernhard, 2011) to interrogate selected elements of that field as they pertain to Australian undergraduate and postgraduate engineering education. In particular, the paper explores current themes in the literature related to curriculum, teaching and assessment practices; the acquisition of professional skills and graduate attributes; and issues of graduate employability and continuing professional development. This account highlights the engineering education research field as diverse, multifaceted, increasingly politicised and subject to the interplay of competing interests and multiple demands. More widely, the authors argue that the themes elicited from the contemporary engineering education research field reflect significant research priorities and outcomes that are central to enhancing Australian and international agricultural, digital and regional communities. This is because successful graduates from engineering programs are integrally involved in envisaging, devising, testing and evaluating the technologies that underpin these varied domains of human activity. The sustainable and potentially transformative futures of these communities depends in large part on the effectiveness of the engineering programs and the research that informs them

Effect of beam orientation on the static behaviour of phenolic core sandwich composites with different shear span-to-depth ratios

This study thoroughly investigated the flexural behaviour of phenolic cored sandwich beams with glass fibre composite skins in the horizontal and vertical positions. The beams have a shear span-to-depth ratio (a/d) varying between 0.5 and 12, and tested under 4-point static bending. Their failure load are then predicted theoretically. The results showed that changing the beam orientation from horizontal to vertical changes the failure mode from brittle to progressive. The sandwich beam’s high bending stiffness can be efficiently utilised by placing them vertically. The a/d ratio played a major role on the load capacity and failure mode. In both orientations, the load capacity decreased with the increased of a/d. The beam failed in shear, a combined shear and bending, and bending for a/d ≤ 2, 2 < a/d < 6, and a/d ≥ 6, respectively. These failure mechanisms can be correlated to the shear-to-bending stress ratio while the failure load can be reasonably predicted using the available theoretical models. The two-way analysis of variance showed that the beam orientation is a more influential parameter than the a/d ratio. From this study, the horizontal beams are preferable for flexural dominated structures while the vertical beams are desirable for shear dominated structures

Performance of an innovative composite railway sleeper

The high maintenance cost and scarcity of the hardwood timber promote alternative technologies for replacing the timber railway sleepers. The advantages of composites in high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, reliability, longer life and less maintenance are of great interest for their application in railway sleepers. This study investigated the performance of an innovative composite railway sleeper manufactured from sandwich panels and bonded with the epoxy polymer matrix. The performance including rail-seat vertical load, centre bending moment, shear strength, screw holding capacity and electrical resistance have been investigated and compared with the timber sleepers. Results showed that the new composite sleeper can maintain the minimum performance requirements and showed a very similar behaviour to the timber ones. This innovative composite technology could be a suitable replacement to the existing timber sleepers

Structural applications of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite tubes: a review of columns members

Use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) in column applications is increased because it can act as a confining material, a reinforcement and a structural column. The application of FRP tubes is correlated with the fibre orientation since tube stiffness is mainly attributed to the stiffness of fibres. Thus, for confinement, the fibres should align in the transverse direction of the tube while they should align in the axial direction when tubes are used as compression members. FRP tubes with fibres mainly in axial direction may reach failure because the stiffness in the perpendicular direction to fibres depends only on the stiffness of the matrix. In order to boost the stiffness in the secondary direction while supporting fibres in the main direction, fibres should be in multi-directions. This paper reviews and identifies gaps in knowledge on the use of FRP materials in column applications in new or existing construction regimes