Abstract:

Strength of Materials is a subject included in the university curricula in most engineering degrees. In the Bachelor´s degree in Agricultural and Agri-food Engineering of the Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering (ETSIA-UCLM), the subject is called “Calculation of structures”. It consists of two well-differentiated parts: on the one hand the strength of materials and on the other hand the matrix calculation of structures.

For the development of the practical part of matrix calculation, each student has a computer to use during the exam with Internet connection. The matrix stiffness method is principally suited for computer-automated analysis of complex structures including the statically indeterminate type. It is the most common implementation of the Finite Element Method (FEM).

The students have approximately two hour to finish the practical evaluation test. Each one of them must develop a spreadsheet with its corresponding structure. The exercises are individualized, which means that each student sees slightly different problems (same test with different data) preventing blind copying of results. Then the students submit their solutions via email.

In this way, a simple practical test of matrix calculation of structures allows the teacher to gauge the student´s knowledge. In subsequent academic years, students will consolidate and deepen these abilities using structural engineering software, essential in their professional career.

Keywords:

Computer-based assessment, Spreadsheet, Matrix calculation, Strength of materials.