2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

A Challenge-Based Specialization Diploma on Structural Health Monitoring for Civil Engineering and Architecture Programs

Presented at Architectural Engineering Division Technical Session

In this paper we present a challenge-based teaching model for a full semester of specialization in the Civil Engineering program in our University. In this minor or specialization diploma, students develop competencies associated to Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Instrumentation and non-destructive testing of Structures.
During a ten week period, several modules are taught to students with material about Civionics, SHM, damage detection in Structures, non-destructive techniques and Load testing of real structures. For this purpose a on campus bridge was instrumented with sensors for deformation, inclinometers, accelerometers and displacement sensors. A total of 31 students took part of the first implementation of this specialization semester from two different campus in a regional format with activities in two different locations. The instrumented bridge was tested using a designed experiment with loading tests. The data acquired during the tests was then analyzed by students and it was used to calibrate a Finite Element Model of the bridge in order to evaluate its structural health state. Six different instructors and professors participated during different modules of the semester, some in laboratory tests and others in lectures and research. The educational outcomes sought during the design of this specialization semester were achieved with very positive results that are included in detail in the paper. As an strategic industry partner, a collaboration agreement was signed with the Mexican Institute for Transportation (IMT). The participation of specialists from this Federal Institute was crucial in the motivation and teaching of some modules of this program. Some specialized equipment from IMT was also used by the students for some experimental work associated with the theoretical aspects taught on campus. The results show that the competencies level that were sought during the design of the program were positively achieved by the students. We present this work that could be use as an example of Challenge Based courses or Specialization semesters for other minors within the context of Civil Engineering or Architecture Programs.

Authors

Saul E. Crespo http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5093-0108 Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico [biography]

Bachelor in Civil Engineering with a Master of Science in Structural Engineering and PhD candidate in Structural Engineering. From April 2011 to July 2017 he served as Senior Researcher of the "Structural Health Monitoring" group of the Mexican Institute of Transportation, directing and collaborating in monitoring and structural prognosis projects applied to special highway bridges, transportation infrastructure, historical monuments and structural systems. He has developed research projects in the area of structural deterioration of reinforced concrete bridges and in the development of damage detection techniques in structural systems based on Non Destructive Evaluation. He actively collaborated in the creation and development of the Monitoring Center for Intelligent Bridges and Structures, leading the analysis and structural evaluation of the systems. In the academic field, he has worked as a professor in the Civil Engineering career, in the area of structural engineering at the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) Campus Querétaro. He has directed research projects for undergraduate and master's degree students. He has authored several technical publications of the Mexican Institute of Transportation, extensive publications in congresses, international and national symposiums, as well as in scientific journals. From 2017 to 2020 he served as Director of the Civil Engineering program at Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Querétaro and as professor of the Structural Engineering area at the institution and since November 2020 he leads the Department of Sustainable Technologies and Civil Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Querétaro.
Prof. Miguel X. Rodriguez-Paz http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9975-9847 Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico [biography]

Prof. Rodriguez-Paz got his B.Sc. In Civil Engineering from Tecnologico de Oaxaca in 1993. He studied a M.Sc. In Structural Engineering at Tecnologico de Monterrey and got his Ph.D. from the University of Wales at Swansea in 2003 where he did research on Numerical Methods. Since 2004 he is a full professor of Engineering Mechanics at Tecnologico de Monterrey.
Job R. Medina Hernandez Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico
Ing. Luis Horacio Hernandez-Carrasco Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico [biography]

Civil Engineer
Master degree in Structural Engineering
Master in Business Administration
Full time professor at (Tec de Monterrey) ITESM
Professional Registered Engineer in Structural Design
Prof. Milan Sokol Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia

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