Geotechnical Engineering Education

Software Packages for

Effective communication is the essence of education.

The process of learning can be enriched by interactive software packages classified under three heads

1.Computer Aided Learning (C.A.L.)

2. Computer Aided Design (C.A.D.)

3. Computer Aided Assessment (C.A.A.)

Essential features

a. Systematic organization of the teaching material

b. Interactive and user friendly

c. Graphics and animation for better retention

d. Scope for modification or improvement

e. Added utility as a teaching aid.

Developed by Dr.A.S.Nene,Professor of Civil Engineering (Retired),

V.N.I.T. Nagpur

Computer Aided Learning or Designing(CAL / CAD) packages

These softwares were a part of undergraduate projects.

A new teaching aid for the teaching staff and engineering students.

Developed during 1988 to 2000,hence work better under DOS.

These packages were distributed to

various engineering institutes

in India and abroad.

• QM+ (QUIZ and MAYA)- 1988

• ISOTREC (Design of Isolated Footings) -1991

• EPYGRAM (Earth Pressure by Graphical Methods) - 1992

• SOS (Stability of Slopes) -1993

• Shepi (Design of sheet Piles)-2000

• WellCal (Design of Well Foundations)- 1998

Titles

Random selection of objective questionsHelp menuTime bound questionsNegative score for wrong answers Can be used for any other subject.

QM+ (QUIZ and MAYA)An interactive assessment program Helps in preparing for viva -voce or any competitive examination involving objective type questions.

special features.

A tutor for ten basic experiments of soil mechanics.

An electronic laboratory manual on any other subject

MAYA

Design of Isolated Trapezoidal, Rectangular & circular Footings

2. ISOTREC

Three independent programs for step-by-step design of isolated trapezoidal, rectangular & circular Footings.

Input data of loads, safe bearing capacity, grade of concrete and steel.

Screen outputs shows design steps or final design can be copied using printer.

Graphic display of the foundation designed shows plan, section and reinforcement details

EPYGRAM

(Earth Pressure bY Graphical Methods)

The package is for learning the

subject of earth pressures.

Three descriptive topics - introduction, earth pressure theories and graphical methods with text and figures.

The interactive topics- graphical methods by Rehbann , Culmann and trial wedge method

Includes a new simplified graphical method

The interactive part - step by step solution for active or passive earth pressures using default or user’s data.

This package helps in learning the topic of stability of slopes.

S O S

Stability Of Slopes

• Descriptive and interactive topics.

• Includes all conventional methods such as

Swedish circle method Friction circle methodTaylor’s charts Bishop’s method

• Displays text, figures, charts and references.

Design of Sheet Piles

Shepi

An interactive software package to teach the design of sheet piles.

Theoretical background

Design of sheet piles under different ground and backfill conditions.

Types of sheet piles covered cantilever sheet piles, anchored bulkheadscofferdams

Dr.A.S.Nene M4 Laxmi Nagar, Nagpur (India) 440022 Email: nene_ashok@yahoo.com

For any suggestions and source codes

Contact

1. Nene, A.S. (1991).Computer Aided Learning and Computer Aided Design of Shallow Foundation., Workshop on Instrumentation and Rehabilitation of Environmental Engineering Structures, 25-26 March, 1991, at V.N.I.T., Nagpur.

1. Nene, A.S. and Garg, S.(1991). Computer Aided Instruction Package For Soil Engineering, National Seminar On Computers in Civil Engineering, Madras 26 & 27 April .pp.I.3.1-3.8.

List of papers published

3.Nene, A.S.(1993).Computer Aided Learning Package for Computation of Earth pressures by Graphical Methods- EPYGRAM. National Seminar on use of computers in Civil Engineering ,Patiala. P 81-89

4. Nene, A.S. and Puranik M.M. (1995) “ CAL Package for Earth Pressures and Slope Stability”, Int. Conf. on Computer based learning in science, Opava, Czech Republic, 30 June to 4 July 19995, p 325- 336

5. Nene, A.S. and Bhide S.R. (1997) ” Some experiences in developing CAL packages for Engineering Education” Third International Conference On Computer based learning in Science 4- 8 July 1997,) Leicester (UK) pp 451-458.

6. Nene, A.S. (1996) “Computer Aided Learning Packages on Geotechnical Engineering” Second Int. Conference of Computer Applications, Research & Practice, 6-8 April 1996 Bahrain pp 837-841.

Multimedia - a combination of text, graphics, sound and video, animation.

All controlled, coordinated and presented on computer screen.

External devices (VCD or MP3 player) controlled by Computer

IMM to explain complex and dynamic relationships where books fails,

Interactive Multimedia (IMM)

Within class room - one computer and LCD projector

Within class room- multiple computers

Outside classroom with individual computer

Distance education in a classroom, without teaching faculty.

Available types of IMM