Undergraduate Summer Research in Structural Engineering

For the last seven years, a summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates site in structural engineering, funded by the National Science Foundation, has operated at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During this time, 33 students from 22 colleges and universities have participated in the site. Participants are recruited nationally and have come from as far away as California and Puerto Rico. The program is intended to provide students interested in graduate studies with an introduction to research methods, and to provide students who will not continue their studies past a bachelor of science in civil engineering with a better understanding of how research provides the theoretical foundation of engineering practice. Students work individually with faculty on literature reviews, computer modeling, laboratory testing, and field research. Three students have researched structural failure case studies and the technical and ethical lessons to be learned from them. Participants also have the opportunity to tour construction sites and construction material manufacturers’ and fabricators’ facilities. During the past three years, an ethics seminar series has been added. At the end of the program, students prepare research papers and Web pages documenting their work and present their results to faculty, students, and other participants.     

复合射孔枪枪身材料动态本构关系的试验研究

为确定复合射孔枪枪身材料32CrMo4钢在井下高温、高加载率工作环境下的动态性能,利用MTS试验机和分离式Hopkinson冲击压杆装置做了应变率为0.001、1000和3000/s,温度为294、373、473和573K的单轴动态压缩试验,得到32CrMo4钢各组温度及应变率下的流动应力-应变曲线。拟合得到该钢Johnson-Cook本构关系模型所需的5个参数,模型拟合曲线与试验曲线吻合。     

关于创新学习的几点思考

介绍了创新学习的内涵,分析了创新学习中的误区,提出了创新学习的方法。     

曹店灌区渠道防渗衬砌技术研究

详细介绍了引黄灌区干渠衬砌试验段的设计原则、方案以及冻胀观测技术 ,根据试验结果对不同防渗材料、不同结构形式的渠道衬砌方案的使用效果及经济指标进行了分析。     

中国海上时移地震技术应用的可行性研究

针对中国海上油田的具体情况，参照国外风险评估方法，进行了一些初步的时移地震可行性研究。总的来说，在中国海上开展时移地震是基本可行的，是必然的发展趋势，但中国海上油田的储层结构和成分比较复杂，因此必须针对不同油田的具体问题，做好各种风险性研究及相应的技术和策略，才能最大限度地降低风险，发挥时移地震技术的效益。     

Credibility and applicability of virtual reality models in design and construction

In this paper, we present the findings from an extensive study of the use of virtual reality (VR) models in large construction projects. The study includes two parts: The first part presents a quantitative questionnaire designed to investigate how VR models are experienced and assessed by the workforce at a building site. The second part includes a qualitative field survey of how VR models can be applied and accepted by professionals in the design and planning process of a large pelletizing plant. Through mainly studying persons who had little or no experience with advanced information technology (IT), we hoped to reveal the attitudes of the average person working at a construction site rather than of an IT expert. In summary, the study shows that the VR models in both projects have been very useful and well accepted by the users. Today’s information flow is, from a general point of view, considered to be insufficient and the hypothesis is that using VR models in the construction process have the potential to minimize waste of resources and improve the final result.     

冶金烧结强化盘式钻头齿圈的试验研究

在分析盘式钻头齿圈失效机理的基础上,提出了齿圈表面堆焊耐磨合金强化和镶嵌硬质合金齿圈强化两种方法。通过试验研究和对比分析,确定了采用冶金混合烧结固齿法镶嵌硬质合金齿圈强化盘式钻头。进一步的试验研究表明:采用冶金混合烧结固齿法镶嵌硬质合金齿圈来强化盘式钻头齿圈,其结合情况非常好;硬质合金齿圈的硬度、耐磨料磨损的能力和耐冲击磨料磨损的能力在烧结后都有进一步的提高,说明采用冶金混合烧结固齿法镶嵌硬质合金齿圈来强化盘式钻头齿圈是可行的。     

Quantum chemical SINDO1 study of vanadium pentoxide

An improved set of parameters for vanadium in the semiempirical quantum chemical SCF MO method SINDO1 is presented. It is shown that both the geometries and heats of formation of a number of vanadium-containing compounds calculated by this method are in good agreement with available experimental data. Model clusters of increasing size are used for the study of geometric and energetic properties of vanadium pentoxide. Both hydrogen atom and proton adsorption on the (010) surface of vanadium pentoxide and a subsequent formation of different oxygen vacancies have been investigated. Based on these computational results the reactivities of V₂O₅-surface oxygen atoms for adsorption are discussed.     

Ornament and function

The architects and builders in the past lacked our knowledge concerning fluid dynamics, but they exhibited a deep rooted ability to observe and reflect - thus, different cultures have developed by trial and error. The authors have produced a stimulating analysis which couples the science of fluid dynamics and a sensitive understanding of past cultures. The paper is recommended reading.     

Practice characteristics that lead to 21st century learning outcomes

Abstract The key research question for this study was to ask whether or not innovative teaching practices would lead to the development of learning outcomes essential for preparing the younger generation for the challenges of life in the knowledge society of the 21st century, and if so, how are the pedagogical features related to the different learning outcomes. Preliminary analyses of the case study data collected from the SITES M2 Study in Hong Kong reveal that where the development of more significant learning gains were observed, the cases possess characteristics additional to the criteria defined in the Study for selection of innovation. More importantly, it was found that the impact of the pedagogical practices was not determined simply by the aggregation of characteristics of the practices per se , nor on the technologies used, but on whether 'empowerment' permeates the curriculum goal and process. Further, this paper claims that these affective and socio-cognitive learning outcomes are more important as preparation for lifelong learning in the 21st century than 'knowledge management competencies'.