2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Developing Hands-on Physical Model Labs for Structures in Construction Courses

Presented at Construction Engineering Division: Innovative Pedagogy annd Student Engagement

Construction mechanics and structures in construction courses are widely recognized as challenging subjects for construction engineering and management students. Funded by a grant from the Collier Building Industry Association and Collier Building Industry Foundation, this study explores the process of developing and implementing a hands-on physical model lab for a structures for construction course, aiming to improve student understanding of reinforced concrete concepts.

The development process began with analyzing Spring 2023 end-of-course feedback from two sections taught using traditional methods. Students expressed a strong desire for hands-on reinforced concrete labs. In response, we designed and implemented a new lab for Spring 2024, focusing on reinforced concrete beam models. This process involved careful selection of materials and building equipment from non-traditional sources.

The lab required students to assemble a reinforced concrete beam based on a given design. Students then engaged in collaborative discussions about the functions of various components (e.g., top and bottom bars, stirrups) and their placement, supporting their answers with annotated photos. Following the assembly and discussion, students disassembled the materials and created summary videos of their lab activities.

To assess the effectiveness of this new lab, we conducted a comparative analysis using 10 multiple-choice questions from Exam 3, consistent across both years. Questions 1-5 covered reinforced concrete structures (treatment), while questions 6-10 addressed wood structures (control). Results showed significant improvement in reinforced concrete scores for the instructor-consistent group from 2023 to 2024, with stable wood structure scores, suggesting the lab's effectiveness in enhancing learning specifically for reinforced concrete topics.

This study highlights the value of hands-on physical model labs in addressing persistent challenges in teaching complex structural concepts such as moment and shear force visualization, abstract calculations, and intricate mechanical principles. Moreover, it provides a replicable process for developing such labs, from initial student feedback to implementation and assessment. The findings underscore the potential for these labs to enrich construction engineering and management curricula, especially in advanced courses focusing on construction mechanics, structures, and systems.

Authors

Dr. Anh D. Chau P.E. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1830-1026 Florida Gulf Coast University [biography]

Dr. Anh D. Chau is an assistant professor in the Stock Development Department of Construction Management at the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University. He completed his Bachelor of Engineering at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Alabama, all in civil engineering. His areas of expertise include quantitative methods, construction engineering education, and artificial intelligence applications. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Florida and has also earned certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and LEED AP BD+C.
Steve Makredes Florida Gulf Coast University [biography]

Steve Makredes, PE
Adjunct Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University
Founder, Makredes Construction Advisors
Retired Vice President, Target Construction

Steve Makredes, PE, is a seasoned Structural Engineer and retired Vice President, Construction at Target, where he managed large teams, projects, and programs across the U.S. and Internationally. With extensive experience in overseeing complex construction operations, Steve retired from Target Construction and founded Makredes Construction Advisors, providing expert Strategic Advising in project management, program management and construction workforce development.

In addition to consulting, Steve serves as an Adjunct Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, teaching structural engineering concepts and construction management. He is passionate about mentoring the next generation of construction leaders while continuing to contribute to the advancement of the construction industry through people and technology.

A licensed Professional Engineer (PE), Steve remains actively engaged in both the professional and academic communities.
Dr. Daniel Linares http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4516-0967 Florida Gulf Coast University [biography]

Daniel Linares is Assistant Professor at the Stock Development Department of Construction Management at Florida Gulf Coast University.
He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning with an emphasis in Smart Construction and the Smart Built Environment, a M.Eng. in Computer Science with an emphasis in HCI, and a M.S. in Civil Engineering with emphasis in Construction Engineering and Management, from Virginia Tech.
His research work focuses on investigating ways to improve workers' productivity and developing systems to implement those improvements in challenging environments such as industrial and construction applications.
His research currently focuses on technologies such as voice agents and Augmented Reality systems to provide multi-modal solutions to address activity support and knowledge delivery during scenarios with significant cognitive loads.
He also is working towards technology developments in the construction industry such as smart construction, cyber-physical systems, BIM Management, and Data Analysis.
His teaching experiences include: IT in Design and Construction, BIM, Schedulling and Project Controls, Graphical Communication, and Virtual Design and Construction. He has been awarded the Fulbright Scholarship, the AGC Faculty Fellowship, and was the Microsoft Fellow for the TechSpark Immokalee in Florida.
Dr. Long Duy Nguyen P.E. http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-1879-8327 Florida Gulf Coast University [biography]

Dr. Long Nguyen is a Professor and Chair of Stock Development Department of Construction Management at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).
Mr. William Patrick Burke Florida Gulf Coast University [biography]

William Burke is a career educator and lab coordinator at Florida Gulf Coast University. He specializes in education, jobsite safety and equipment maintenance.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

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