Development of a Portable Experimental Platform to Demonstrate the Role of Material and Cross-section in Beam Bending

Abstract

Prof. Craig has been on the faculty at Georgia Tech for more than fifty years and continues to teach as an emeritus professor and to develop classroom engagement methods and tools. His past research is in the general area of experimental structural mechanics, dynamics and structural control with applications to aerospace and earthquake engineering. He is coauthor of a textbook on structural analysis with application to aerospace structures.

Development of Team-Based Hands-On Learning Experiences

“…In previous work, the authors presented a portable bending beam experiment that was very effective in clearing up student's confusion about stress and strain [8]. The device was designed to explore the role of material properties in the deflection of cantilever beams of equal crosssection and length.…”

“…Active learning and other evidence-based learning strategies promote a deeper understanding of complex material because students are forced to think about the material and apply fresh concepts to new situations [1]- [4]. Hands-on learning is a particular form of active learning where students engage in a topic in several different ways including sight, sound, and tactile sensory input [5]- [8]. While engaging multiple senses, students can interact with other students and reflect on how their understanding of some topic can be used to explain a particular phenomenon.…”