Education & Technology Transfer Activities: 1999

Model of Demonstration Bridge for Classroom and Laboratory Teaching

 

Status

Complete

View Report:

PDF 
 

Sequential Number

ETT24
 

Identification Number

R-5-38022
 

Matching Research Agency

Haliburton Foundation
 

Principal Investigator

Steve Watkins, Associate Professor
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Electrical & Computer Engineering
121 Emerson Electric Company Hall
Rolla, MO 65409
p(573) 341-6321
f(573) 341-6671
natkins@mst.edu
 

Student Involvement

One (1) Master Student.
 

Project Objective

A small transportable bridge will be built and instrumented for use in demonstrations of smart strain sensing.
 

Project Abstract

The project will develop a smart composite mini-bridge for education and demonstration purposes. The smart mini-bridge will be 9 feet x 18 inches x 9 inches and will be similar to the campus pedestrian smart bridge. It will be a "smart" structure featuring integral fiber optic strain sensors. The completed structure and an associated educational video will be used as a classroom demonstration and will be available as a traveling show for high school students and college freshman.
 

Task Description

N/A
 

Anticipated Benefits

The goal of the project is to create interest in optical engineering, instrumentation, and FRP composites among students. It is a complementary activity to the development of the campus smart composite bridge, to the laboratory component of the smart materials and sensors course and to the research involving composite civil engineering applications.
 

Modal Orientation

N/A
 

Milestones

Project Start Date:07/01/1999
Project End Date:06/30/2000
 

Relationship to other Research/Projects

N/A
 

Technology Transfer Activities

The mini-bridge will be used in demonstrations to industry, current student and potential students.
 

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Smart mini-bridge, FRP composites, and fiber optic strain sensors