Elizabeth Hostutler

Reflection

ABET Outcomes for AE 481W/482	Outcome not able to be assessed (Score of 0)	Level of ability demonstrated but below acceptable (Score of 1)	Minimum acceptable level of ability demonstrated (Score of 2)	More than minimum level of ability demonstrated (Score of 3)
a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering	5	5	5	P
b. An ability to analyze and interpret data	5	5	5	P
c. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs	5	5	5	P
e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems	5	5	5	P
f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility	5	5	5	P
g. An ability to communicate effectively	5	5	P	5
h. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context	5	5	5	P
i. An ability to engage in life-long learning	5	5	5	P
j. A knowledge of contemporary issues	5	5	5	P
k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice	5	5	5	P
o. Engineering design capabilities in at least two (2) of the (3) basic curriculum areas of architectural engineering, and that design has been integrated across the breadth of the program	5	5	P	5
p. Communication and interaction with other design professionals in the execution of building projects	5	5	P	5

AE 481W/482 Course Reflection

Gateway Plaza was a relatively straight-forward building to research and redesign. I did not have much trouble acquiring permission for the building due to a good relationship with the structural engineer. Again, obtaining materials needed was not an issue since I was granted permission to view the project's FTP site. Though I had not done any prior research on the building, its composite steel structure with braced lateral frames was a system that we have learned about in detail over the past five years. Many of my classmates, however, were not as fortunate. Those students who had buildings of post-tensioned concrete and shearwalls were at a severe disadvantage during the first semester's research. We have not tackled how to design or detail them in any of our previous classes.

The main obstacle that the building's architecture posed was the 52'-6" spans in the building's north half. This feature made it difficult to find an alternate floor system, since Technical Assignment 2 concluded that the existing system was best. For my redesign, I took on the task of learning how to design and detail a post-tensioned concrete floor system in order to decrease my building's floor height. Using notes from the Post-tensioning Institute on how to conduct design were helpful as well as using RAM Concept. In addition to my thesis research, I used the new software in an independent study to learn how to use its features.

I feel that my experience with this unfamiliar system has given me another skill that will be useful later in my career.

CPEP & Discussion Board Reflection

Coming into Senior Thesis I had no prior web design experience. Though I heavily relied on the templates that the fabulous Eric Yanovich provided, I did learn a lot about editing a web-site. Without the template however, I feel that designing an entire web-site from scratch would have introduced a large amount of research and work that would certainly upset a large amount of 5th years. Overall, I feel that the knowledge I gained from working with my web-site was very helpful and will benefit me in the future.

Though I never posted questions on the discussion board, hearing others' questions and the professionals' responses was incredibly helpful. A lot of students did similar redesigns and had the same questions I did. The timetable that their questions were asked were on a similar schedule to my work as well, so I found it very helpful.