The aim of the project is to teach microcomputer-based laboratory instrumentation and data analysis techniques to civil engineering undergraduates. This includes the selection of the type and characteristics of instrumentation, and the use of statistical data analysis methods. The major instruments to be utilized are measurement devices such as LVDT's, a pressure transducer, an extensometer, signal conditioners, an analog-to-digital converter, an IBM 286 computer with hard drive, a plotter, printer and associated software. The applications of the equipment will occur in a required junior level undergraduate civil engineering course in construction materials. The students will be involved in monitoring load and deformation electronically, observing real time date display, using the microcomputer to manipulate and analyze the data, and to produce hardcopy reports and plots. The project is significant because it will familiarize civil engineering students with modern electronic microcomputer-based instrumentation and microcomputers. This instructional block is a logical extension of the sophomore level Introduction to Computational Techniques for Civil Engineering Course where students are introduced to various software tools and numerical analysis techniques. In this way the student will acquired both software and hardware computer skills necessary in today's civil engineering profession. Further, this equipment furthers to stated departmental goal of "replacing obsolete equipment with state-of- the-art electronic date acquisition systems...?and! to stress communication skills, computer skills and statistical skills."
