EFFECTIVE LEARNING OF BUCKLING OF COLUMNS IN ENGINEERING PROGRAMS

Abstract

In classic mechanical and civil engineeringprograms, buckling of columns is learned at end of the basicstrength of materials course due to prerequisite subjects onintegrals, differential equations, and engineering statics.This classic chronology of subject “buckling of columns”presents only a small advantage, which is to understandmathematical demonstration of buckling formulas, but doesnot give students opportunity of designing structures duringlearning engineering statics and strength of materials. Byreorganizing few subjects and introducing practical aspectsof buckling formulas earlier without all prerequisitesubjects, students could practice structural design projectsand some simultaneous engineering aspects by team work asearly as from midway of the very first engineering course.This new approach has been applied for many years toMechanical Engineering program of École de technologiesupérieure in Montréal, Canada and proven very effectiveand well appreciated by students.Index Terms ⎯ Strength of materials, buckling of columns,design and analysis, truss structures, reorganization, teamwork, simultaneous engineering.