Loyola/Notre Dame Library

 
 

Welcome to Sandra DiRupo's AE Senior Thesis e-Portfolio! 

AE 481W/482 Course Reflection


In my past year’s Thesis Research and Analyses of the Loyola/Notre Dame Library, I was able to discover many valuable conclusions as well as determine many findings that were not in my original scope of work, as presented in my original proposal.  After completing many analyses, some that worked and some that did not, I was able to submit a thorough compilation of interesting research and analysis results.  Some of the most valuable findings that I have determined are as follows:

  • Speaking with many industry professionals, sales people, and subcontractors: This really helped improved my interpersonal skills as well as educated me in many topics concerning my thesis analyses.  It is much better to have someone explain a procedure or how a system works than to copy an explanation from a website, and not fully understand its purpose or function.   This I found to be my saving grace on many occasions.
  • Research:  I was interested in the energy study that I did for various Universities across the U.S. because I think that this is an area of interest that has emerged immensely in the last 10 years, not only in the building industry.  It’s important to be educated about the new creative ways to conserve energy in buildings because energy efficiency will continue to grow as a building owner’s top priority for new as well as retrofit construction.
  • Modular Curtain Wall Analysis:  In my internship this past summer, the curtain wall construction was the most difficult concept for me to understand.  Connections, glazing, materials, building enclosure vocabulary were all a mystery to me.  That is primarily the reason why I chose to do this analysis.  I wanted to learn as much as I could about building enclosures, and I DID!  In addition to that, who knew that huge labor savings could be obtained by prefabricating a curtain wall system in the factory, minimizing on site construction and site congestion. 
  • Solar Shade Lighting & Mechanical Breadths:  I enjoyed this analysis because I got to learn how to use some new software programs.  I have never made a successful three dimensional model in Auto CAD before.  I was really proud of it, so I tried to do as many things as I could with the model because I didn’t want all of that hard work to go to waste.  I extended light shelves and solar shades to see if summer cooling energy could be reduced. (It was)  It was really cool to have a model to show what the rooms would look like by making these changes.  I always like the lighting option, so I’m glad I got to learn how to use AGI as well.
  • CPEP & Discussion Board Reflection:  The Thesis webpage is an awesome idea to display all of our work.  It’s easy to use.  The discussion board was very helpful.  As a suggestion: Perhaps get subcontractors or specialty contractors involved with the discussion board also. 
  • Final Thoughts: I have learned way more than I originally set out to accomplish in my original plans for my Senior Thesis Project. I learned from my mistakes, which was a key factor in all of the work that I did. And I will be sure to take much of the new knowlege and aqquired skills with me well into my professional career.

ABET Outcome Survey 

 

ABET Outcomes

for

AE 481W/482

Outcome not able to be assessed

(Score of 0)

Level of ability demonstrated but below acceptable

(Score of 1)

Minimum acceptable level of ability demonstrated 

(Score of 2)

More than minimum level of ability demonstrated

(Score of 3)

a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

 

 

 

X

b. An ability to analyze and interpret data

5

5

X

 

c. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs

 

 

X

 

e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

5

5

X

5

f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

 

 

 

X

g. An ability to communicate effectively

5

5

5

X

h. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context

 

 

 

X

i. An ability to engage in life-long learning

5

5

5

X

j. A knowledge of contemporary issues

 

 

X

 

k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

5

5

5

X

o. Engineering design capabilities in at least two (2) of the (3) basic curriculum areas of architectural engineering, and that design has been integrated across the breadth of the program

 

 

X

 

p. Communication and interaction with other design professionals in the execution of building projects

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 


 

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 Sandra DiRupo. 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.

         
Senior Thesis
Architectural Engineering
AE Lab
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This Page was last updated on September 9, 2007 , By Sandra DiRupo and is hosted by the AE Department © 2005