Thesis Research

Jonathan Kirk

Structural Option

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Building

Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

This is a student-generated Capstone Project e-Portfolio (CPEP) produced in conjunction with the AE Senior Thesis e-Studio

User Note:
While great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on the pages of CPEP, please be aware that the information contained herewith is considered a work‐in‐progress for this thesis project. Modifications and changes related to the original building designs and construction methodologies for this senior thesis project are solely the interpretation of Jonathan Kirk. Changes and discrepancies in no way imply that the original design contained errors or was flawed. Differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have been incorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design.

Reflection

ABET Outcome Survey

ABET Outcomes for AE 482W/482	Outcome not able to be assesed	Level of ability demonstrated but below acceptable	Minimum acceptable level of ability demonstrated	More than minimum level of ability demonstrated
Score	0	1	2	3
a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering				X
b. An ability to analyze and interpret data				X
c. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems				X
d. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems				X
e. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility				X
f. An ability to communicate effectively				X
g. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering in a global and societal context				X
h. An ability to engage in life-long learning				X
i. A knowledge of contemporary issues				X
j. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice				X
k. Engineering design capabilities in at least two (2) of the three (3) basic curriculum areas of architectural engineering, and that design has been integrated across the breadth of the program				X
l. Communication and interaction with other design professionals in the execution of building projects				X

AE 481W & AE 482 Course Reflection

The senior thesis experience is easily the most valuable coursework undertaken by AE students in our cirriculum. It allows for students to apply the fundamentals of analysis and design that we have learned in previous classes to actual buildings and not simplified diagrams that are typically used for problems in courses. I believe that the most valuable part of the project was work done in researching various structural systems, and finding limitations of each system, as well as understanding the implications that such building material selection processes has on all aspects of the project, from cost and schedule implications to the effect that structural system selection has on other building trades. Communication with both professors and practicing engineers was an integral part of completing assignments and was great practice of profesional ettiquitte. In conclusion, I would like to say that the senior thesis program is a large part of what makes Penn State Architectural Engineering students so valuable to employers and the field in general.

CPEP & Discussion Board Reflection

The CPEP site served as an excellent tool to post our work and share it with others. It provided for an easy means of submitting information for teachers to evaluate our work, while allowing employers and industry professionals to keep tabs on the thesis program to see how students are progressing with their technical skills.

The discussion board served as a valuable tool for all students to get help on topics that are not covered in our coursework. Industry professionals helped students in their areas of expertise or at least gave students information on where to find answers to the questions asked. In the beginning of the semester, almost all questions were answered very quickly; however, as the semester moved along, the majority of questions were not answered, which frustrated both me and fellow students. I realize that engineers have their own work to do often do not have time to answer trivial questions, but when good questions are asked that would help not only the student asking them, but other students of the option as well, it would have been nice to get feeback on a higher percentage of questions posed.