Multimedia Technology and Structural Steel Design

Aminmansour, Abbas; ,

Multimedia Technology and Structural Steel Design

by Abbas Aminmansour, (M.ASCE), Pennsylvania State Univ, University Park, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Structures Congress XII

Abstract:

A project is underway at The Pennsylvania State University to produce Steel Design Educational Module (SteelDEM) software. This intelligent tutor and teaching aid utilizes the state-of-the-art in interactive multimedia technology to enhance teaching/learning of design and development of steel structures. The software integrates full motion video, computer graphics, animations, text, and audio to allow users to investigate different structural steel members and their behavior, limit states, and design. An on line data base of structural steel shapes as well as the latest engineering design specifications and aids will be available to users at all times. SteelDEM will be developed based on the latest Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) of steel structures, adopted by the American Institute of Steel Construction. During development of the software, the SteelDEM project will evaluate the completed portions of the software and its effectiveness on students' learning and motivation through a number of mechanisms including testing and evaluation at several universities. SteelDEM is being developed for IBM and compatible personal computers and will be made available to educational institutions nationwide. Phase I of the project was supported by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), International Business Machines (IBM), National Science Foundation (NSF), and The Pennsylvania State University (PSU). As originally planned, this phase resulted in a partially completed software. Phase II of the project, currently under way, will result in the completion of the module by 1996 and is supported by Hybrid Information Technologies, a software development company.

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