T5-A: Creating Computational Tools for Industry- A Capstone Design Project Experience
Location
Bill France A
Start Date
6-3-2018 10:20 AM
Description
Engineers at STUPP Bridge Company in Bowling Green, Kentucky are continually seeking ways to improve the heat curving process of girders to create a higher quality product while maintaining affordability and improving safety. A team of senior students in the mechanical engineering program at Western Kentucky University researched and provided computational tools on the development of improved design specifications for horizontally curved steel girder highway bridges. The study started in January 2015 with a literature review of available references. Although this work was focused primarily on available information and technology, portions of the research were also devoted to improving on the current state-of-the-art technology.
The recommended specifications and developed tools were based on the sound structural engineering principles. The recommended specifications were divided into two divisions: Division I – Design and Division II – Construction. The recommendations by the team and the computational tool generated in MS Excel were developed according to Division II - Construction of the AASHTO Standard Specifications.
The company provided technical support towards the completion of the project. The resources of the company were also available to the project team to clarify research/design requirements, to offer guidance for the heat curving, and to obtain components. The entire work was completed prior to May 1, 2015.
The developed tool was received well by the industry partner and they plan on testing and using the tool and recommendations in their future heat curving of girders. This capstone project experience proved that engineering students are capable of developing tools which can be very useful for industry partners. Both industry and university benefited from the project. The industry had a new tool to be implemented in their heat curving process and the university had graduates with some experience from working on a real engineering problem.
Engineers at STUPP Bridge Company in Bowling Green, Kentucky are continually seeking ways to improve the heat curving process of girders to create a higher quality product while maintaining affordability and improving safety. A team of senior students in the mechanical engineering program at Western Kentucky University researched and provided computational tools on the development of improved design specifications for horizontally curved steel girder highway bridges. The study started in January 2015 with a literature review of available references. Although this work was focused primarily on available information and technology, portions of the research were also devoted to improving on the current state-of-the-art technology. The recommended specifications and developed tools were based on the sound structural engineering principles. The recommended specifications were divided into two divisions: Division I – Design and Division II – Construction. The recommendations by the team and the computational tool generated in MS Excel were developed according to Division II - Construction of the AASHTO Standard Specifications. The company provided technical support towards the completion of the project. The resources of the company were also available to the project team to clarify research/design requirements, to offer guidance for the heat curving, and to obtain components. The entire work was completed prior to May 1, 2015. The developed tool was received well by the industry partner and they plan on testing and using the tool and recommendations in their future heat curving of girders. This capstone project experience proved that engineering students are capable of developing tools which can be very useful for industry partners. Both industry and university benefited from the project. The industry had a new tool to be implemented in their heat curving process and the university had graduates with some experience from working on a real engineering problem.
T5-A: Creating Computational Tools for Industry- A Capstone Design Project Experience
Bill France A
Engineers at STUPP Bridge Company in Bowling Green, Kentucky are continually seeking ways to improve the heat curving process of girders to create a higher quality product while maintaining affordability and improving safety. A team of senior students in the mechanical engineering program at Western Kentucky University researched and provided computational tools on the development of improved design specifications for horizontally curved steel girder highway bridges. The study started in January 2015 with a literature review of available references. Although this work was focused primarily on available information and technology, portions of the research were also devoted to improving on the current state-of-the-art technology.
The recommended specifications and developed tools were based on the sound structural engineering principles. The recommended specifications were divided into two divisions: Division I – Design and Division II – Construction. The recommendations by the team and the computational tool generated in MS Excel were developed according to Division II - Construction of the AASHTO Standard Specifications.
The company provided technical support towards the completion of the project. The resources of the company were also available to the project team to clarify research/design requirements, to offer guidance for the heat curving, and to obtain components. The entire work was completed prior to May 1, 2015.
The developed tool was received well by the industry partner and they plan on testing and using the tool and recommendations in their future heat curving of girders. This capstone project experience proved that engineering students are capable of developing tools which can be very useful for industry partners. Both industry and university benefited from the project. The industry had a new tool to be implemented in their heat curving process and the university had graduates with some experience from working on a real engineering problem.
Engineers at STUPP Bridge Company in Bowling Green, Kentucky are continually seeking ways to improve the heat curving process of girders to create a higher quality product while maintaining affordability and improving safety. A team of senior students in the mechanical engineering program at Western Kentucky University researched and provided computational tools on the development of improved design specifications for horizontally curved steel girder highway bridges. The study started in January 2015 with a literature review of available references. Although this work was focused primarily on available information and technology, portions of the research were also devoted to improving on the current state-of-the-art technology. The recommended specifications and developed tools were based on the sound structural engineering principles. The recommended specifications were divided into two divisions: Division I – Design and Division II – Construction. The recommendations by the team and the computational tool generated in MS Excel were developed according to Division II - Construction of the AASHTO Standard Specifications. The company provided technical support towards the completion of the project. The resources of the company were also available to the project team to clarify research/design requirements, to offer guidance for the heat curving, and to obtain components. The entire work was completed prior to May 1, 2015. The developed tool was received well by the industry partner and they plan on testing and using the tool and recommendations in their future heat curving of girders. This capstone project experience proved that engineering students are capable of developing tools which can be very useful for industry partners. Both industry and university benefited from the project. The industry had a new tool to be implemented in their heat curving process and the university had graduates with some experience from working on a real engineering problem.