Resumen de Multiple-feature/multidisciplinary design project in an introductory engineering mechanics course
A simple truss bridge design project for a one-semester sophomore-level combined course in staticsand dynamics, taken by a multidisciplinary class of students from civil, electrical, and industrialengineering at Morgan State University (MSU), is described. Patterned after a continuing andpopular annual Student Steel Bridge Design/Building Competition, the design project problemstatement incorporates conflicting constraints and simple scoring or objective formulas. As a resultthe design problem is open-ended; however, an added benefit is that the same basic project can berepeated in successive classes due to the manner in which the constraints are prescribed. Classmembers who participate in the MSU Steel Bridge Team also get to experience more detaileddesign iteration, realization of the eventual bridge design, testing of the product and even validationof the bridge's performance in the corresponding year's Student Steel Bridge Competition (SSBC).Preliminary results from the first two semesters of introducing the project suggest some improve-ment in student performance and learning in the engineering mechanics course. As a sophomorelevel course, the design project also contributes to the integration of design across the engineeringcurriculum at MSU.
