Engineering Design Projects Research Articles

From the new Austrian tunneling method to the geoengineering condition evaluation and dynamic controlling method

The new Austrian tunneling method (NATM) is widely applied in design and construction of underground engineering projects. When the type and distribution of unfavorable geological bodies (UGBs) associated with their influences on geoengineering are complicated or unfortunately are overlooked, we should pay more attentions to internal features of rocks grades IV and V (even in local but mostly controlling zones). With increasing attentions to the characteristics, mechanism and influences of engineering construction-triggered geohazards, it is crucial to fully understand the disturbance of these geohazards on project construction. A reasonable determination method in construction procedure, i.e. the shape of working face, the type of engineering support and the choice of feasible procedure, should be considered in order to mitigate the construction-triggered geohazards. Due to their high sensitivity to groundwater and in-situ stress, various UGBs exhibit hysteretic nature and failure modes. To give a complete understanding on the internal causes, the emphasis on advanced comprehensive geological forecasting and overall reinforcement treatment is therefore of more practical significance. Comprehensive evaluation of influential factors, identification of UGB, and measures of discontinuity dynamic controlling comprises the geoengineering condition evaluation and dynamic controlling method. In a case of a cut slope, the variations of UGBs and the impacts of key environmental factors are presented, where more severe construction-triggered geohazards emerged in construction stage than those predicted in design and field investigation stages. As a result, the weight ratios of different influential factors with respect to field investigation, design and construction are obtained.

Effect of brick infill panel on the seismic safety of reinforced concrete frames under progressive collapse

Structural safety has always been a key preoccupation for engineers responsible for the design of civil engineering projects. One of the mechanisms of structural failure, which has gathered increasing attention over the past few decades, is referred to as \'progressive collapse\' which happens when one or several structural members suddenly fail, whatever the cause (accident, attack, seismic loading(.Any weakness in design or construction of structuralelements can inducethe progressive collapse in structures, during seismic loading. Masonry infill panels have significant influence on structureresponseagainst the lateral load. Therefore in this paper, seismic performance and shear strength of R.C frameswith brick infill panel under various lateral loading patterns are investigated. This evaluation is performed by nonlinear static analysis. The results provided important information for additional design guidance on seismic safety of RC frames with brick infill panel under progressive collapse.

Learning Design through the Lens of Service: A Qualitative Study

Twenty-four senior-level capstone engineering design projects were completed at a large, public, primarily undergraduate university involving 85 students (70 male and 15 female). All projects involved the design of equipment to facilitate physical activity for people with disabilities. The effects on: i) learning design, ii) attitude towards people with disabilities, iii) motivation to complete team design projects and iv) interdisciplinary collaboration were analyzed through 24 one-hour focus groups. We explored the student experience using a constructivist approach and grounded theory. Four major themes (with associated sub-themes) emerged from our data analysis: learning design (project management, iterative design process, and user-centered design), motivation to complete design (engineering, disabilities, user), perceptions of people with disabilities (previous experience, changed attitudes and beliefs), and multidisciplinary collaboration (etiquette presentation, communication between disciplines, defining roles and expectations). Students completing these projects were shown to appreciate user-centered design, exhibit greater motivation when able to meet and develop a relationship with their client in person, discuss altruistic factors regarding their capstone experience, and were able to develop strong multidisciplinary skills.

OBE Method of Assessments for Capstone Civil Engineering Project Design

Civil Engineering capstone design course has been introduced in UNITEN since Semester 2 2006/2007. In theearlier of the introduction, this subject is considered as an elective subject but during Semester 2 2008/2009, thesubject has become compulsory due to the requirement by Engineering Accreditations Council (EAC). This subjectis a team design project applying engineering and project management principles for multidisciplinary designwhich would involve an integration of Civil Engineering including environmental, geotechnical, structural, watersupply and drainage system, sewerage system, project management and road design. This course has dividedthe design stage into two stages which are preliminary design and final design. This paper is a review paper onthe method of assessment for capstone design course and the example on the implementations of OBE methodassessment in UNITEN. Method of assessment in this subject should be based on the student’s participations,formal presentation, written reports, conceptual and detailed design and finally tender document andconstruction cost estimates. The assessments also including the bloom taxonomy to produce a well balancedstudent with ability to have critical thinking, soft skill and also technical skills. The rubric system makes theassessment easier by implementing range of marks to the quality of the works done by the undergraduate forthe capstone design course. The future predictions of this course would be giving the real engineering projectsto the students to help in the construction of a houses or buildings for poor community. This would expose thestudents to the importance of helping the community as the primary role of civil engineering is to help thecommunity.

Anisotropy of strength and deformability of fractured rocks

Anisotropy of the strength and deformation behaviors of fractured rock masses is a crucial issue for design and stability assessments of rock engineering structures, due mainly to the non-uniform and non-regular geometries of the fracture systems. However, no adequate efforts have been made to study this issue due to the current practical impossibility of laboratory tests with samples of large volumes containing many fractures, and the difficulty for controlling reliable initial and boundary conditions for large-scale in situ tests. Therefore, a reliable numerical predicting approach for evaluating anisotropy of fractured rock masses is needed. The objective of this study is to systematically investigate anisotropy of strength and deformability of fractured rocks, which has not been conducted in the past, using a numerical modeling method. A series of realistic two-dimensional (2D) discrete fracture network (DFN) models were established based on site investigation data, which were then loaded in different directions, using the code UDEC of discrete element method (DEM), with changing confining pressures. Numerical results show that strength envelopes and elastic deformability parameters of tested numerical models are significantly anisotropic, and vary with changing axial loading and confining pressures. The results indicate that for design and safety assessments of rock engineering projects, the directional variations of strength and deformability of the fractured rock mass concerned must be treated properly with respect to the directions of in situ stresses. Traditional practice for simply positioning axial orientation of tunnels in association with principal stress directions only may not be adequate for safety requirements. Outstanding issues of the present study and suggestions for future study are also presented.

Engineering design projects as a reflection promoter

This article describes examples of reflection documented in a longitudinal research comprising two studies: a three-year three-stage study on technology project-based learning (TPBL) and a three-year two-stage study on engineering thinking (ET). Both studies used qualitative tools such as interviews, active observations, and document analysis. Reflections expressed by 10th grade pupils from eight high schools and 14 post-secondary school students who participated in the TPBL study as well as the reflection findings of experts and undergraduates from the ET study were used. The data analysis indicates that reflection is not generated on its own; it must be fostered. Reflection takes one of three forms: as a reaction to an irregularity or error made when working on the system design; conducted in groups that is inherent to the design process in industry; and from intuition that something may not be quite right, even though preliminary results seem to be correct.

Historical perspectives of engineering project design, organisation and management: construction of the Elan Valley dams

The Elan Valley estate is situated within mid-Wales, Great Britain. It represents a watershed of approximately 70 square miles and accommodates four dams built at the turn of the twentieth century, along with another completed in 1952. Combined, these supply the city of Birmingham, England, with a significant proportion of its fresh clean water. The dams' engineering design and construction represented a project that overcame huge logistical, technical and management challenges and in so many ways, therefore, was contemporaneously innovative, imaginary and monumental. That project is qualitatively analysed through extant and especially historical literature, complemented with other archive materials. Findings that relate to exemplar engineering project design, organisation and management (EPDOM) of the time are highlighted. By discussing some of these in light of modern engineering convention, observations on EPDOM evolution are made, in addition to providing an historical engineering perspective per se.

Experimental Study on the Performance of Bond-Breaking Layer in Reducing Friction and Improving Anti-Erosion

This research explored the variation of bond-breaking effect with variety of bond-breaking layers installed between the concrete pavement surface slabs and the lean concrete (LCB) base, in order to offer parameters for structure analysis of pavements with bond-breaking layers and to optimize the selection of bond-breaking layers for the practical road engineering projects. This research tested the bonding stresses and the frictional forces at slab-base interface of pavements under different bond-breaking condition, as well as the anti-erosion performance of base course, via the anti-erosion tests in laboratory and the field tests for mechanical performance of slab-base interface treated with different bond-breaking layers in some highway projects of Hunan and Guangdong Provinces. Bond-breaking media applied in this research include the 3cm asphalt concrete (AC), 1cm emulsified asphalt slurry seal (EASS), geotextile and emulsion wax curing agent (EWCA). The findings from the field tests for bonding stress between slab-base layers indicated that EASS and EWCA did better than geotextile in reducing friction or bonding stress between slab-base layers. And the findings from the anti-erosion tests indicated that: under the same conditions, specimens covered with geotextile did far better than specimens brushed with asphalt on the surface in resisting erosion, and specimens covered with geotextile or brushed with asphalt did far better than no bond-breaking layer in resisting erosion. The mechanical performance of slab-base interface with different bond-breaking media derived from this research offers scientific reference to pavement design and construction control in the practical road engineering projects. Key words: Mechanical performance of slab-base interface; Tests for bonding stress and anti-erosion tests; Bond-breaking layer of cement concrete pavement; Lean concrete base;Cement stabilized macadam base course.

Hencher S: Practical engineering geology

In the phases of design, management, and construction of civil engineering projects, engineering geologists draw on a gamut of knowledge in all areas of Earth sciences. The book provides a detailed view of the work of engineering geologists in this context. Beginning by outlining the basic tasks and skills that engineering geologists need to perform and know, Steve Hencher emphasizes how engineering geologists can make significant contributions at any project onset by ensuring that risks are properly communicated during the initial planning and design project phases. ‘‘The engineering geologist will almost always work in a team and needs to take responsibility for his role within that team. If there are geological unknowns and significant hazards, he needs to make himself heard using terminology that is understood by his engineering colleagues...’’ The various steps involved with civil engineering projects are described, beginning with the various management tasks of the owners, engineers, architects, and contractors, as well as the business contracts they deal with, albeit from a UK perspective. Chapter 3 ‘‘Geology and ground models’’ points the necessity of simplified representations of a site, as well as the ground investigation and testing. In Chapter 4, Hencher explains how site investigation (including sub-surface ground investigation) should focus on the needs of the particular project. He outlines concisely its scope and stages and also advocates that such environmental factors such as in situ stresses, natural gases, seismicity, anthropogenic influences, groundwater chemistry, groundwater pressure, ice, and biogenic factors should be viewed separately from the basic geology. As well, the book describes the various environmental hazards that need to be considered such as landslides, coastal recession, subsidence, settlement, contaminated land, and earthquakes. In Chapter 5 ‘‘Geotechnical parameters’’ and Chapter 6 ‘‘Analysis, design and construction’’ the essential aspects to consider in ground models and testing are covered. Numerous practical examples are presented from around the world. The final chapter ‘‘Unexpected ground conditions and how to avoid them’’ presents cases of diverse difficult conditions. Black-and-white illustrations and photos are abundant and complement each subject nicely. Each chapter contains straightforward didactic boxes that focus either on a case in point, good working practices or key terms of relevance to each topic. The book also includes an appendix with widely used soil and rock terminology for description and classification for engineering purposes and another appendix containing examples of borehole and trial pit logs from the UK, Hong Kong and Australia. These serve to illustrate the variety of use in descriptive terms and classifications. Not only the references provided at the end of this book, but also Hencher’s introduction to the career pathways and an appendix describing international training, institutions and societies will be particularly useful to undergraduate and graduate students. J. Matschullat (&) Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Center, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Brennhausgasse 14, 09599 Freiberg, Germany e-mail: joerg.matschullat@ioez.tu-freiberg.de

COMPLEMENTARY USE OF DESIGN METHODOLOGIES IN EDUCATIONAL ENGINEERING DESIGN PROJECTS: A CASE STUDY

The challenge of a nowadays well-grounded engineering education is preparing industry ready graduates, that is, to provide students with the skills to master the complexity of products in terms of innovation, invention and problem solving combined with soft skills abilities. This addresses particularly the engineering design education, which in general should be mainly based on practical studies represented by engineering design projects. In order to supply industry with work-ready practitioners, the effectiveness and efficacy of design education respectively design projects is a crucial aspect. This article presents some findings of an efficient use of design methodologies and techniques when carrying through design projects in the faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics at the University of Applied Sciences, Deggendorf, Germany. Engineering design projects are compulsory for students within their curriculum. The projects aim at fostering and stimulating students creativity by means of a complementary use of design methodologies and techniques. By taking advantage of this approach the systematic generation of ideas in the course of a design project is presented, which eventually led to the development of an innovative product.

Research on the Stability of Surrounding Rock in Shallow Tunnel under Unsymmetrical Pressure Based on RDM

Reasonable evaluation for weak surrounding rock of shallow tunnel under unsymmetrical pressure is very important for the design and construction of tunnel project. The evolvement rule and space distribution characteristic of surrounding rock under different thickness of side covering soil were gained, which include the stress field and plastic zone by adopting rock mass deterioration model, to reveal the instability and failure mechanisms of surrounding rock. And then through analyzing and calculating the measured data in site, the stress characteristics of surrounding rock and supporting structure were gained. The conclusion can be a reference for the design and construction of Hongshigou Tunnel and other similar engineering projects.

WISEngineering: Supporting precollege engineering design and mathematical understanding

Introducing engineering into precollege classroom settings has the potential to facilitate learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts and to increase interest in STEM careers. Successful engineering design projects in secondary schools require extensive support for both teachers and students. Computer-based learning environments can support both teachers and students to implement and learn from engineering design projects. However, there is a dearth of empirical research on how engineering approaches can augment learning in authentic K-12 settings. This paper presents research on the development and pilot testing of WISEngineering, a new web-based engineering design learning environment. Three middle school units were developed using a knowledge integration learning perspective and a scaffolded, informed engineering approach with the goal of improving understanding of standards-based mathematical concepts and engineering ideas. Seventh grade math students from two teachers in a socioeconomically diverse and low-performing district participated in three WISEngineering units over the course of a semester. Students significantly improved their mathematical scores from pretest to posttest for all three projects and on state standardized tests. Student, teacher, and administrator interviews reveal that WISEngineering projects promoted collaboration, tolerance, and development of pro-social skills among at-risk youth. Results demonstrate that informed engineering design projects facilitated through the WISEngineering computer-based environment can help students learn Common Core mathematical concepts and principles. Additionally, results suggest that WISEngineering projects can be particularly beneficial for at-risk and diverse student populations.

Communication in Creative Collaborations: The Challenges of Uncertainty and Desire Related to Task, Identity, and Relational Goals

This study offers a systematic analysis of uncertainty in communication education by examining communication goals and challenges in the context of collaborative creative problem-solving in engineering assignments. Engineering design projects are seen as having the potential to help K-12 students learn to deal with uncertainty as well as a means through which to learn science and math. Educational researchers have emphasized the cognitive or very general social aspects of this context. The current investigation argues that collaborative, creative design work involves a distinctive constellation of communication challenges: ongoing efforts to temporarily suspend normal inclinations to understand well, to appraise what we understand, and to do so in relation to instrumental, identity, and relational meanings. This argument guides textual analyses of transcripts of fifth-graders assigned to groups tasked with designing and building an environmentally beneficial robot. Implications for communication education are discussed.

Comparisons of the L- and LH-moments in the selection of the best distribution for regional flood frequency analysis in Lake Urmia Basin

Design flood estimation is an important task that is required in the planning and design of many civil engineering projects. Finding the most suitable distribution to flood samples and selecting the appropriate parameter estimation method are of great importance for flood frequency analysis. In this study, L-moments and LH-moments have been used to characterise the upper part of distributions and larger events in flood data. Three extreme value distributions, that is, generalised extreme value (GEV), generalised logistic (GLO) and generalised Pareto (GPA), through different levels of the LH-moments have been applied to describe the annual maximum flood data obtained from 34 sites in Lake Urmia Basin, northwest Iran. The performances of these distributions have been assessed by evaluating the relative root-mean-square error and the minimum L-kurtosis difference criterion. The result shows that the LH-moments are more efficient for obtaining improved values of flood peaks than the L-moments. For the upper part of distributions, the GEV distribution using the L2-moment is the best, followed by the GLO distribution using the L1-moment and the GPA distribution using the L3-moment. The GLO distribution using the L-moments methods is the best among all distributions for a complete data series.

Proposed vertical integration of prior learning to support students undertaking Chemical Engineering Design

During academic session 2008–2009, the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, changed Year 4 Chemical Engineering Design project teaching to include mixed groups from Bachelors and Masters programmes; team delivery and two separate components of design. This paper presents data for 408 students studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde pre and post change; exploring the impact of these changes and highlighting potential for supported, vertically integrated learning programmes, across the first four years of teaching, to provide a framework fostering student confidence and autonomy. The impact of course restructuring indicates that Bachelors students’ aspirations are increased, with no detriment to Masters performance. Early years performance over this period is unchanged, allowing separate investigation of the changes made in 2008–2009. Gender basis analysis shows that male students’ performance is little affected, although the whole cohort fit shows a marked change due to the improved performance of low attaining female students. Post 2009 final performance shows direct correlation with Chemical Engineering Design mark, suggesting the latter may indicate final expected grades for given students. The study reveals widely applicable benefits for increased student motivation, managing expectation, and facilitating students’ utilisation and integration of knowledge gained during their studies.

Design Structure Matrix: A Model Proposal and Implementation on Harbor and Building Design Project

Design is an iterative, generative, and multidisciplinary process by its nature. Iteration occurs often in most of the engineering design and development projects including construction. Design iterations cause rework, and extra efforts are required to get the optimal sequence and to manage the projects. Contrary to simple design, isolation of the generative iterations in complex design systems is very difficult, but reduction in overall iterations is possible. Design depends upon the information flow within domain and also among various design disciplines and organizations. Therefore, it is suggested that managers should be aware about the crucial iterations causing rework and optimal sequence as well. In this way, managers can handle design parameters related to such iterations pro-actively. There are a number of techniques to reduce iterations for various kinds of engineering designs. In this paper, parameter based Design Structure Matrix (DSM) is chosen. To create this DSM, a survey was performed and then partitioned using a model. This paper provides an easy approach to those companies involved in or intend to be involved in "design and build projects".

Effective Cooperative Education as Part of Kosen Curriculum Judging from the Influence of Career Consciousness on Student Motivation for Learning at Anan National College of Technology and Illinois University at Urbana-Champaign

The first author investigated student motivation for an engineering design project by questionnaire survey at Anan National College of Technology (Anan Kosen) and Illinois University at Urbana-Champaign in 2006. The senior student motivation for the senior design project at Illinois University was higher than the third year student motivation for line trace car design project at Anan Kosen. The difference in student motivation between Illinois University and Anan Kosen was caused by career consciousness after graduation. In addition, Illinois University student more often discussed solution to engineering problems of special subjects, as compared with Anan Kosen students, Illinois University students usually make a concentrated effort to acquire useful practical expertise and skill in occupation after graduation. Thus cooperative education should be introduced so as to improve career consciousness by incorporating career education at an early stage such that freshman visit working alumni at manufacturing companies.

Mechanical Characteristic Research of Novel Prestressed Double Composite Linings

It is wildly attentive but controversial, in the area of structure engineering, how to assess and analyze the mechanical behavior of independent load-bearing or the joint load-bearing for double composite linings structure. The present paper is aim to discuss its working mechanism. The mechanical behavior of novel prestressed double composite linings is analyzed by using 3-D non-linear finite element method, comparing with the 1:1 simulation test. The numerical values are close to the test values including the deformation, the stress, and the opening of the gap between the inner and outer linings. The results show that the steel bars are most important component for joint load-bearing of the double linings and the cushion between the inner linings and outer linings can satisfy the independent load-bearing requirement. The numerical values are quite agreement with those of the test, which verify the mechanical behavior and working mechanism of the prestressed double composite linings. This research can help to the design of similar engineering projects.

Overview of Materials Research and IFMIF/EVEDA under the Broader Approach Framework

In parallel to the ITER program, the Broader Approach (BA) activities with three projects are being implemented by the European Union (EU) and Japan. Five research and development (R&D) tasks, mainly on blanket-related materials, are being carried out as the DEMO R&D program in the BA to establish key technologies required for the DEMO engineering design. The DEMO R&D building was constructed in March 2010, and the installation of research equipment was completed in March 2011. As the BA DEMO R&D, fabrication technology and/or characterization of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels, SiC/SiC composites, and the advanced neutron multiplier and advanced tritium breeder have progressed in Japan and the EU. In the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF)/Engineering Design and Engineering Validation Activities (EVEDA) project, engineering design and validations have progressed. The injector of the IFMIF prototype accelerator produced first beam successfully in May 2011 and will be delivered to the Rokkasho BA site in 2012. The commissioning of the EVEDA lithium test loop was completed in March 2011, and a lithium flow of 25 mm thick at ~5 m/s was obtained.

Engineering Innovative Practice in Managing Design Projects

Most references to innovation relate to the development of new products. This paper does not address innovation in these terms, but as changes in practices an engineer creatively adopts during engineering design projects. The authors adopt Actor-Network Theory as a way to understand these change processes (translations). The authors design a perturbation index inspired in Earned Value management to measure translation effort having in mind the management of scope. The paper then assesses changes of regime in resource allocation of tasks and concludes some changes that can lead to innovative results. That means a wider view about scope, and scope management is gained, being able to observe and change good practices, something crucial in engineering design projects where requirements and goals drift.