Geotechnical Library: A Multimedia Experience

Abstract

This paper discusses the development often modules for teaching undergraduate Civil Engineering students the experiential aspects of laboratory testing associated with the first course in geotechnical engineering. These modules may also be used in other disciplines with limited laboratory facilities and by technicians trying to get familiar with these types of tests. This courseware will range in complexity from visual soil classification techniques to triaxial shear strength testing. Each of these modules provides: (1) reference material, (2) modeling and simulation using rendered 3-D graphics and video, (3) an interactive tutorial and quiz to test the student's understanding, (4) handouts containing typical lab data, results and blank forms in Adobe PDF format, and (5) exploratory links to external World Wide Web sites. The series have been developed using ToolBook II from Asymetrix and 3D Studio Max from Kinetix. In this paper, the Atterberg Limit Test module is presented to illustrate the overall framework of the ten modules. This module can show students the sequence of operations required to complete the liquid and plastic limit tests. These procedures, illustrated using video clips of the plastic limit test and an animation of the liquid limit test, provide the student with a realistic experience of the actual test before going to the laboratory. Once in use, we expect that these modules will allow students to become more familiar with the laboratory equipment and procedures and should result in an improved appreciation for the uniqueness of soil and its behavior.