Enhancement of Learning by Hands-On Experience in Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

For a better learning experience, students taking the "Design of Reinforced Concrete" course at the Kansas State University were required to design, construct and test a real-size reinforced concrete beam.In their design they evaluate the beam capacity in terms of the first cracking, first yield, and ultimate loads; as well as service limits such as crack width and beam deflection under various service loads.Their design covers approximately all of the material taught in the course including flexural analysis and design, shear design, bar development length, serviceability in terms of crack width and deflections.Students are divided into 4 groups to do the "formwork", "caging", "pouring", and "testing" in 4 different 2 hour laboratory sessions.All of the students participate in the first session for introduction to the laboratory and general procedure; the third session to observe the pouring process and making concrete sample; and the last session for testing concrete samples and beam specimen.The project provides students with a real-world design and hands-on experience to enhance their understanding of reinforced concrete structures.In the survey conducted at the end of semester, students consistently and unanimously stated that the project effectively provides them with a better learning experience.