DIGITAL IMAGING IN TEACHING STRUCTURES: A RIGOROUS VISUAL APPROACH

This paper outlines a project to incorporate digital images and the World Wide Web into the teaching of structural design, using an approach that is both highly visual and theoretically rigorous. A key objective of the project is to teach students how to understand a structure through visual critical analysis, applying hypotheses based on structural principles to explain phenomena and features visible in photographs of structures that are complete, under construction, or damaged. The project takes advantage of the special characteristics of digital images in conveying structural concepts--including the use of digital enhancement, annotation, and manipulation to clarify phenomena--and conceptually links them to physical and mathematical principles. In addition, the project used the World Wide Web to make photographs available outside the classroom, enabling image-based homework assignments. The Web is also used to collect and review input from students. The paper finds that, although they can be used independently, the applications of digital imaging and the applications of the Web are particularly powerful in combination.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/10523928
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Martini, K
• Publication Date: 1999-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 56-64
• Serial:
  • Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
  • Volume: 125
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1052-3928
  • EISSN: 1943-5541
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/jpepe3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Digital communication systems; Education and training methods; Image processing; Imagery; Internet; Photographs; Structural design; Truss bridges; Websites
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Design; Education and Training; Highways; I10: Economics and Administration; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00763572
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 17 1999 12:00AM