Numerical Simulation as in Integral Component of Dynamics Problem Solving

The Roger Williams University faculty is committed to training students to use modern computer-based tools when performing engineering analysis.But achieving this is a tall order, as engineering courses are already jam-packed with essential technical material and any hindrance to delivering this material is unwelcome.Likewise, as faculty we routinely pay lip service to the necessity for students to double-check their work, yet we provide students with few tools for systematically accomplishing this.This paper describes an effort by the author to integrate solid modeling into a dynamics course by requiring numerical validation to symbolic homework problem solutions.The students solve traditional homework problems using free-body diagrams, equations of motion, pencils and calculators; but then must demonstrate that their answers are valid through an independent check.Students construct solid models in SolidWorks to duplicate the geometric and inertial properties of the problem, and then use the Motion Analysis add-in to create a motion study duplicating the conditions of the problem.Students may place dynamically updating dimensions to determine distances or may generate graphs, e.g.velocity versus time, to study motion.As a direct result, students are able to independently validate their symbolic solutions with numerical simulations.This paper will provide a detailed description of the use of SolidWorks in a sophomore level Dynamics course offered Fall 2010 and Spring 2011.This paper will present symbolic and numeric examples of student work and assess the benefits and problems associated with this teaching method.