Evaluating virtual levee failures: a tool for demonstrating engineering judgment
Loading...
Authors
Ta-seen, Fairooj Nower
Issue Date
2024-05
Type
Electronic thesis
Thesis
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Civil engineering
Alternative Title
Abstract
This thesis explores an innovative way to develop engineering judgment in undergraduates through the use of virtual simulations, specifically focusing on levee failure scenarios. The Levee Inspection module of the larger GeoExplorer virtual environment (game) is under development for widespread use in undergraduate geotechnical engineering courses and is designed to simulate real-world scenarios where engineers face challenges and decision-making processes encountered in practice. The development and effectiveness of the Levee Inspection module are evaluated through two distinct case studies involving two different classes at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI): the Foundation Engineering course and the Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering course. The design and implementation of the Levee Inspection module are informed by these case studies, drawing parallels to the existing Cone Penetration Test (CPT) module in terms of scalability and instructional design. This thesis refrains from making broad claims about the module’s efficacy, focusing instead on specific, measurable outcomes and the insights gained from two implementations. The findings from this research highlight the potential of virtual simulation (game-based learning) tools like the Levee Inspection module in the development of engineering judgment among undergraduate students, providing them with a safe, controlled environment to explore, observe, and document the complexities of levee systems and their failure mechanisms. This thesis, based on case studies conducted at RPI, showcases the practical use of the Levee Inspection module in educational settings, while the insights from the CPT module's implementation across US campuses inform the potential scalability and applicability of the Levee Inspection module in similar courses nationwide.
Description
May2024
School of Engineering
School of Engineering
Full Citation
Publisher
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY