Search

This paper covers the important aspects of new research methodologies, including the methods and tools, for undergraduate students at a Civil Engineering program. It aims to improve the research competencies of civil engineering students through immersing the students in different types of research exercises. The activities have been exploratory, experimental and theoretical. The focus of the new approach is on developing soft skills, gaining practical and hands-on skills, research management and planning, and presenting the results in an optimum manner. Six undergraduate students from two departments were involved in various components of a research project related to the post-tensioned concrete structures. The core project started in a company specialized in post-tensioning industry. Initially, the learning objective was to gain a deep understanding of the mechanical properties of concrete and steel as well as the post-tensioning of the concrete slabs. However, the main objective was to get students involved in designing effective test platforms from scratch, to perform experiments with concrete blocks and a special compressible material used in industry. One of the goals was to investigate the friction coefficient of connection between the concrete slab and walls in Post-Tensioned construction. The research involved testing the resistance of concrete blocks against applied loads in variety of conditions. Furthermore, students were to explore the behavior of a compressible material that is used to wrap rebar, as a release detail, for slab and walls in Post-Tensioning construction. The goals were achieved by establishing a unique testing rig to apply lateral load to the poured concrete specimens that contained the foamwrapped steel dowel (rebar), which extended into a poured concrete slab. Consequent research projects have been conducted to construct a model of concrete-foam-rebar media and simulate it using the Finite Element Analysis with ABAQUS© package. The objective has been to refine the model and material characteristics, until a nonlinear analysis and simulation produces valid and comparable results to the laboratory prototype. Structured and neat research methods were tabulated to teach the students as how to conduct research in a more passionate, productive, and useful way. These were conducting the extensive literature review, establishing the complex test rigs, evaluating the sophisticated mesh configurations and performing non-linear analysis. The most important outcomes of the new research methods were; students' eagerness and enthusiasm to establish the test platforms, learning all the necessary hands-on skills despite obstacles and limitations, learning new simulation packages, and presenting in various conferences and symposiums in a professional way. The reflections provided by students demonstrated their extraordinary satisfaction of this life-long learning experience, and the importance of their gained skills in future graduate programs and/or high-level industry positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lean manufacturing methods have been widely used in industry for many decades. The lean concepts which have been adopted, largely have increased profit and reduced waste. Lean philosophy has been reviewed in academia by researchers, but only few major models have been developed. In these models, various factors have been discussed without finding a common ground or core. The focus of this paper is to review the lean models in use in academia as well as to identify the most important pillars based on which a new model may be constructed. It then reviews some novel approaches which might help higher education professionals to focus on value creation, continuous improvement, as well as efficiency. The underlying lean principles in industry in various sectors are adopted to complete a list of deliverables to be used in academia. For this purpose, the three bodies of Faculty, Students and Staff are considered, as well as the three areas of Teaching, Research, and Service. Lean philosophy in each body and area is also evaluated. The core theoretical elements of lean manufacturing are the three main goals, the two fundamentals, the five principles, and the eight wastes. The new educational model is based on four pillars which are adopted from the primary elements of the Lean World Class Manufacturing (LWCM) and lean Six Sigma framework. However, the model also incorporates the elements of the future-ready manufacturing business, and project management. The emphasis is on reducing waste in engineering departments, which is the main goal of the new model suggested. These elements are revisited from the perspective of higher education management, to offer new methods that faculty and administration bodies can deploy for a much higher efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity in academia. These are to ensure higher rates of retention and graduation, and general student success. These new methods can be incorporated in university trainings for faculty and staff and be frequently evaluated for successful outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]