Modernization of Solid Mechanics Laboratories

这个项目的目的是设计和实施18个现代动手实验，用于两个学期课程序列的实验室组成部分：固体力学（静力学和材料强度）和动力学（粒子和刚体运动）。在每门课程中，学生三人一组，选择并进行五个实验。其目的是给工程师两个重要的经验。(1)学生使用设备学习第一手的现代测量技术，这些设备包括全仪器化的材料试验机、数字存储示波器、与计算机连接的实验设备、自动数据检索系统和计算机图形学。(2)学生验证经典理论；而且还能获得对课堂讲座中介绍的、然后被认为理所当然的物理现象的新见解。例如，从实验中，他们可以直接了解工程材料的弹性极限和运动的测量。土木工程和机械工程专业的学生将获得一些实验经验，但同样重要的是，他们将学习实验方法和工程实验的哲学。

The purpose of this project is to design and implement 18 modern hands-on experiments for the laboratory components of the two semester course sequence: mechanics of solids (statics and strength of materials) and dynamics (particle and rigid body motion). In each course, students in groups of three select and perform five of these experiments. The aims are to give engineers two significant experiences. (1) Students learn first-hand modern measuring techniques using equipment that includes fully instrumented material testing machines, digital storage oscilloscopes, equipment for interfacing experiments with computers, automated data retrieval systems, and computer graphics. (2) Students validate classical theories; but also gain new insights into physical phenomena that are introduced in classroom lectures and then taken for granted. From experiments, for instance, they learn first hand the limits of elasticity for engineering materials, and measures of motion. With the laboratory experiences civil and mechanical engineering students will gain some experimental expertise, but equally important, will learn about the experimental method and the philosophy of engineering experimentation.