UNION COLLEGE
Artistic Engineering, Fall 2008
Sophomore Research Seminar
SRS 200
| Professor | Dr. Ashraf Ghaly, P.E. |
| Department | Engineering |
| Office | Butterfield 305 |
| Tel., email | 518-388-6515, ghalya@union.edu |
Lectures: TTH 10:55 AM - 12:45 PM, Location OLIN-102 (Click here for instructor's class presentations)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Constructed facilities are daily encounters in people's lives. Houses, offices, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, airports, and worship, sport, entertainment, and shopping complexes are some of the many examples of structures that people use and expect to perform their functions smoothly. Structures can only perform their functions when their design involves the consideration of all the factors that may closely or remotely affect their intended in-service purpose. Many of these factors are non-engineering in nature but exert a great impact on the final engineered product. Environmental, economical, political, social, budgetary, and climatic factors may significantly impact the design of a structure. History is rich with examples of structures that, in addition to their complex engineering, the wrangling about their construction involved a significant debate about non-engineering issues. Giant structures such as cable bridges, dams, towers, skyscrapers, domes, arches, tunnels, and oil rigs are laden with controversy. Engineering may be a tremendous design undertaking to put together such massive structures, but in reality this is the easy part of it. Because engineers do not operate in a vacuum, and because their conceived technical designs must gain the acceptance of a diverse public and regulatory and financing bodies, they must be receptive to conflicting points of views, and willing to alter their designs to meet many competing criteria. The art of finding a common ground and reaching a compromise regarding hotly contested issues is one of the important attributes designers need to possess.
This course will explore some of the most complicated structures ever built and the engineering and non-engineering challenges that accompanied their planning and construction. After addressing the historical aspect of a given structure, students will use a computer-based platform to virtually build a model of that structure. This process will be similar to solving a jigsaw puzzle. The major highlight of this approach is its hi-tech nature. In this exercise students will be given pre-made computer models that constitute the individual components of the entire structure, and be given a roadmap showing how to assemble these pieces to build the entire structure. Once assembled, the model will be possible to view in three dimensions, rotate, see-through, and manipulate to project in any desired profile. In their final project, students will be given the opportunity to do similar research on a structure of their choice.
COURSE GRADE
Assignments = 20%
Labs = 20%
Mid Term Test (6th week) = 20%
Project = 20%
Final Examination = 20%
| SCHEME OF FINAL GRADE | ||||||||
| 90+ = A | 85+ = A(-) | 80+ = B(+) | 75+ = B | 70+ = B(-) | 65+ = C(+) | 60+ = C | 55+ = C(-) | 50+ = D |
NOTES:
* Assigned homework is due as will be arranged. Late submission results in partial grade loss. Each day of late submission results in two points loss (of ten).
* Attendance of labs is mandatory.
* Attendance of exams is mandatory. If you must miss the midterm test due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control (a letter from the Dean of Students will be required in this case), your 20 points of the midterm test will be automatically transferred to the final exam, i.e., your final will be graded out of 40 points. No makeup for midterm test will be allowed for any reason whatsoever. Attendance of final exam is mandatory.
TEXT BOOKS:
Petroski, Henry (2006). Pushing The Limits: New Adventures in Engineering, Alfred A. Knope, NY.
COURSE THEMES
Suspension bridges are very sophisticated structures. Cables are used to suspend the bridge deck from bridge towers. The study of the stability of a suspension bridge is very complex. The stability of these bridges as they undergo construction is even more complex. The selected project addressed in this theme is the Brooklyn Bridge.
Towers are lightweight, tall structures usually anchored to the ground to prevent overturning and the impact of severe wind. The degree of sophistication of the anchoring system depends on the height and the weight of the structure. The method used in the construction of the tower depends on the materials used in construction. The selected tower addressed in this theme is the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. This tower is the worlds tallest building and the highest freestanding tower in the world.
Sea Platforms are used extensively in oil exploration and production. These platforms could be floating or anchored to the seabed. In either case, the construction of these structures constitute an unparalleled challenge due to factors that are extremely difficult to cope with such as water current and tide, in addition to strong winds. Engineers have been successful in devising innovative methods for offshore construction. The selected project addressed in this theme is the Statfjord B oil platform, Norway.
Stadiums, houses of worship, sport and entertainment complexes are examples of structures constructed with a roof formed as a dome or as a shell. The design of domes and shells is one of the most complicated engineering tasks. Domes or shells are thin structures that cover large area with a considerable span. The segmental construction of these structural elements requires very extensive planning and sophisticated scaffolding systems. Every precaution is taken to ensure that these structures do not deform while they are under construction. Any deformation may compromise their safety. An excellent example of such structures is the Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Dams are huge structures that are built across rivers to basically block the waterway. They are used to regulate water and/or for power generation. In some cases a temporary structure must be built to protect the real structure while being constructed. In other cases the river will have to be diverted to make the construction of the dam possible. The stakes are usually high in projects of this nature because the amount of water held by the temporary structure could cause a very destructive damage to communities along the river path. Hoover Dam, Nevada, is covered in detail in this theme.
Tunnels are structures that require high engineering skill in design and construction. There are many great examples of underground and under water tunnels. The Channel Tunnel that connects France and England is probably the most famous example of tunnels. The tunnels conceptual idea emerged several centuries ago. There were always problems that prevented these ideas from being executed. The history and factors that affected the design and construction of the Channel Tunnel are selected as the subject of this theme.
PROJECT ARTNEEING
Project Artneering is an exciting project that will give the students the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge gained in this course. The project entails the design of a part or an assembly. Students are required to work in teams of two partners, preferably an engineering student and a liberal arts one.
Project Subject:
The partners of each team are given complete freedom in selecting the project subject they like to do. Students are not confined to selecting any specific type of structure. The project subject may be a structure, a product, an improvement of an existing product, or a conceptual idea of a structure or a new product.
Progress Report:
In the sixth week of the term, each team is required to submit a progress report. This should include the name and a brief description of the project, sketches of the intended structure or product, implemented steps toward the design, and anticipated final outcome.
Submittals:
In the ninth week of the term, each team is expected to submit the following:
1. Sketches showing the conception and detailed description of the design idea.
2. SolidWorks drawings of individual components of the project.
3. An assembly showing all components of the project, views, and dimensions.
4. A document detailing all engineering and non-engineering aspects of the project (include relevant photos, figures, charts, graphs, tables, etc.).
5. Place the document file and all SolidWorks files in one folder. This folder should to be submitted in an electronic format (FTP).
The grading criteria will place equal weight on the following components:
1. Level of sophistication of design.
2. Practicality and functionality of design.
3. Accuracy and completeness of drawings.
4. Level of detail in presentation of components.
Project Presentation:
In the tenth week of the term, each team will be required to make a class presentation of their project. Teams are expected to show detailed projects. For class presentation, presenters may use PowerPoint or SolidWorks, and preferably both. Each presentation will be followed by questions and answers period.
A.
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