Testing-Comparison-Origin (T-C-O): A New Model for Mechanical Behavior of Materials Instruction

本项目重点加强结构材料力学行为领域的本科生材料工程教育。提出了一种创新的方法，即学生进行实验来测量一系列材料的关键机械性能(测试)，使用材料选择图表将测量的性能与其他材料的性能进行比较(比较)，然后使用这些信息来获得手头性能背后的基本概念(Origin)。T-C-O方法同时使用实验室和讲座来促进对材料力学行为的真正学习。在这个项目中还使用了最先进的拉伸测试系统。该系统具有适合本科生使用的大小和能力，是材料实验设施力学行为的基石。在材料工程师和其他工程学科的二年级到高年级有几套T-C-O实验，学生可以在其中使用新的拉伸测试系统和其他机械测试设备，以发现材料力学行为的本质。T-C-O方法正在通过几个层次的学生调查以及圣何塞州立大学和加州大学戴维斯分校的Beta测试进行评估。成功的结果可以通过在全国技术会议上的陈述和在被引用的技术期刊上发表的方式向Beta试验场的材料和机械界传播。

This project focuses on enhancing undergraduate materials engineering education in the area of the mechanical behavior of structural materials. An innovative methodology is being presented, in which students perform experiments to measure key mechanical properties on a range of materials (Testing), use materials selection charts to compare the properties measured with those of other materials (Comparison), and then use this information to get at the fundamental concepts behind the properties at hand (Origin). The T-C-O approach uses both laboratory and lecture to promote true learning in the mechanical behavior of materials. A state-of-the-art tensile testing system is also being used in this project. This system, of appropriate size and capability for undergraduate use, is the cornerstone of the mechanical behavior of materials laboratory facility. Several sets of T-C-O experiments are presented at the sophomore through senior level for materials engineers and other engineering disciplines where students can use the new tensile testing system, plus other mechanical testing equipment, to discover the nature of the mechanical behavior of materials. The T-C-O method is being evaluated by student surveys at several levels and by Beta Testing at San Jose State University and the University of California, Davis. Successful results can be disseminated to the materials and mechanics communities at the Beta Test sites, by presentation at a national technical meeting, and by publication in a refereed technical journal.