Using the Computer to Develop a Better Understanding in Teaching Structural Engineering Behavior to Undergraduates

Abstract

A parallel approach to the traditional method of teaching of Structural Engineering, which is based on the use of the computer, is presented in this paper. In this approach the emphasis has been shifted to developing a better understanding of the behavior of structures for which the computer plays an important role. The authors believe that the introduction of suitable methodologies for the validation of computer results and the utilization of the power of computers to facilitate a better understanding should be essential in teaching engineering students. The reflective use of computers can facilitate achieving this goal. The paper gives examples of the authors’ achievements in encouraging the interactive use of the computer in developing a different way of understanding structural behavior in undergraduate teaching, through a problem based and student centered learning approach. The paper shows how a different approach, using computers to model real world problems, can allow students to widely explore the design space and very quickly acquire a better understanding, which has traditionally been the domain of the experienced engineer. In this paper, examples of the students’ work, which demonstrates this approach is presented. Although examples presented in this paper are based on students’ work, the approach and methodologies highlighted can be equally beneficial to both graduate and experienced engineers and to the construction industry as a whole.