Form finding & structural optimization A project-based course for graduate students in civil and architectural engineering

Nowadays, accreditation organizations for engineering programs put more and more emphasis on learning outcomes integrating multifaceted competences (scientific and technical skills, but also teamwork, communication, etc.). In this context, this paper discusses the relevance of project-based learning...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inStructural and multidisciplinary optimization Vol. 49; no. 6; pp. 1037 - 1046
Main Authors Coelho, Rajan Filomeno, Tysmans, Tine, Verwimp, Evy
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.06.2014
Subjects
Computational Mathematics and Numerical Analysis
Educational Article
Engineering
Engineering Design
Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Structural optimization
Form finding
Project-based learning
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Summary:Nowadays, accreditation organizations for engineering programs put more and more emphasis on learning outcomes integrating multifaceted competences (scientific and technical skills, but also teamwork, communication, etc.). In this context, this paper discusses the relevance of project-based learning initiatives for teaching structural optimization, in the light of recent literature on the subject, as well as based on our experience in a course on form finding and structural optimization at the Brussels Faculty of Engineering. Although each project-based course has its specificities related to the teachers, their expertise, and the curriculum philosophy, some general guidelines are proposed, stressing the importance of a proper understanding of the mathematical and physical concepts, but also underlining the need to ensure sufficient room for creativity among the students.
ISSN:1615-147X
1615-1488
DOI:10.1007/s00158-013-1021-7