A Multi-Institutional Classroom Learning Environment for Geotechnical Engineering Education

该项目是南卫理公会大学、伦斯勒理工学院和位于马亚圭斯的波多黎各大学之间的合作项目，以国家对乔治E.布朗地震工程模拟网络（Brown Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation，NEES） 这项工作通过使用基于网络的技术，使实时视频监控，远程控制和执行实验，将最先进的实验和教育工具集成到本科教育课程中。该项目正在创建基于现有课程的教育模块，并为三个校区的学生提供新的教育工具，以更好地理解各种理论岩土工程概念。这些工具包括物理建模、土壤和土壤基础系统响应的视觉观察、仪器的使用、采集数据的解释以及用于分析测量响应的交互式3D数据查看器的使用。 跨大学的学生团队可以通过互联网访问，解释，评估和交流相关的技术信息，从而将主要实验纳入岩土工程课程。

This project, a collaboration among Southern Methodist University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, builds on the national investment in the George E. Brown Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES). This work integrates state-of-the-art experimental and educational tools into the undergraduate education curricula by using web-based technologies that enable real-time video monitoring, tele-control, and execution of experiments. The project is creating educational modules that build on existing curricula and provide students at the three campuses with new educational tools for better understanding of various theoretical geotechnical engineering concepts. These tools include physical modeling, visual observation of the response of soil and soil-foundation systems, use of instrumentation, interpretation of acquired data, and use of an interactive 3D data viewer for analyzing the measured response. Cross-university teams of students can access, interpret, evaluate and exchange relevant technical information via the Internet, thus bringing major experimentation into geotechnical engineering classes.