Reflection
Place a check in the box that best describes the correlation between the
ABET Outcomes and what you learned in AE 481W/482: Senior Thesis.
Highlight the box and type a capital X.
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 |
X |
b. An ability to analyze and
interpret data |
5 |
5 |
5 |
X |
c. An ability to design a system, component, or process
to meet desired needs |
5 |
5 |
5 |
X |
e. An ability to identify, formulate,
and solve engineering problems |
5 |
5 |
5 |
X |
f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility |
5 |
5 |
5 |
X |
g. An ability to communicate effectively |
5 |
5 |
5 |
X |
h. The broad education necessary to understand the
impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context |
5 |
5 |
5 |
X |
i.
An ability to engage in life-long learning |
5 |
5 |
X |
5 |
j. A knowledge of contemporary issues |
5 |
5 |
5 |
X |
k. An ability to use the techniques,
skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice |
5 |
5 |
5 |
X |
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 |
5 |
X |
p. Communication and interaction
with other design professionals in the execution of building projects |
5 |
5 |
X |
5 |
The Search
Senior
year thesis begins long before
Throughout
the semester we had to produce reports for three technical assignments. The
first assignments was nothing to grinding. I proformed the proper spot checks
to become more familiar with my building. Technical assignment two was probably
the most help when it came time to setup a proposal. In Tech 2, I proformed
four alternative system: two concrete and two steel. The concretes system
were small alteration of the one in place. I studied converting from a flat
slab with drop panels to a flat plate to make the building more constructible.
I also added post tensioning cables to the flat slab system to reduce the
thickness of the slab. As for the steel systems I had open-web joists as my
first system as this was system we mostly used at Mesen Associates where I
had worked. I also studied a composite deck with W shape girders and beams.
In the end, I had narrowed it down to either doing the post tension system
vs the steel composited deck. I drew sketches of each and showed them to Dr.
Hanagan only a few days before the proposal was due to see if she had any
last minute advise to help me make a decision. She approved both plans saying
they would both make a good thesis study. She also narrowed the two system
down to what would be most beneficial to me, saying I could do the steel system
if I wanted to do something I already know well but the post tension would
be more valuable to me since I had not nor was taking a prestressing class.
She left me with, "if you do decide to do the post tension, don't procastinate."
"Oh well I dont think Im procrastinating too bad." "Well you
have made up your mind yet and this is due in three
days." Later that evening I tossed around the idea of developing a 12th
floor for my system and luckly ran into Prof Parfitt up in the thesis labs
and discussed a couple of ways to lower the building height. I evently conclude
with lowering the building height through an architectural breadth, Mechanical
Breadth and my Post Tension Depth Study.
AE
482: The Thesis
My thesis was more or
less set up after I turned in my proposal. The second semester was primarily
just approving I can accompolish what I stated in the proposal. I talked to
Parfitt about the plan to design the new entrance into Retail space 2 and
came up with the idea of creating a small inlet with enough room to fit the
stairs and wheelchair ramp. After creating a couple of sketches I choose one,
created the CAD drawing to go with it and i modelled a 3D rendering in VIZ.
For the Mechanical Breadth i discussed the use of a DOAS system per floor
with Dr. Mumma to reduce the air flow through the ducts. But on a closer inspection
i chose to attempt to try and reroute the duct to distribute the exist air
more evenly. By calling out a 2" bulkhead over the corridor i was able
to reduce the mechanical ducts by 4" per floor. For the Post Tension
Study i initially try to decrease the slab by 3". But after many failed
attempts when when running the tendon in the north-south direction i decided
to rotate the bundle tendon 90 deg and only reduce the slab by 2".
CPEP & Discussion Board Reflection
The
CPEP site was very useful throughout the year. It was nice being able to use
the template provided and actually work on your thesis project rather than
learn how to create a webpage. The discussion boards seemed to be a use resourse
however i did not use them myself so this is about all i can say about them.
This page was last updated on Thursday, August 22,
2002.
This page was created by Sean Howard and is hosted by the AE Department.