A COLLEGE-WIDE MATERIALS TESTING LAB: A UNIQUE APPROACH FOR HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

摘要

Engineering education requires the assimilation of knowledge of physical phenomena. To understand mechanical behavior and subsequent design parameters, it is essential to directly observe the deformation of materials. However, the physical and financial resources required are extensive. At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign the approach is to establish college-wide laboratories to serve all students in all departments. The Mechanical Testing Instructional Lab is a college-wide lab dedicated to mechanical property experimentation. In this paper, there is a description of the equipment, relationship to courses, typical procedures and general administration.