A REFINED VIRTUAL WEB LABORATORY FOR THE STUDY OF UNIFORM TORSION IN THIN BEAMS

Abstract

In this paper, we present a refined computer application: a virtual web laboratory whose main objective is the analysis of uniform torsion in thin beams, using Matlab. This software enables us to visualize the actual physical phenomenon and to achieve optimal solutions with little effort, using the finite difference method and finite element method. Through the implemented Software, a fundamental problem present in the courses of Strength of Materials and Mechanics of Materials is solved numerically and theoretically with many illustrations that show the real physical phenomenon. The web is oriented to the student's training and the student's follow-up in the learning process, so that the teacher can evaluate the knowledge acquired, and the student can expand and consolidate their knowledge on the subject. This tool is intended to help the students to learn, study, and investigate, individually and collectively. In addition, the students can prepare the problems in advance of the computerized tutorial sections, and repeat them as many times as they need. Therefore, using the computer as a complementary educational tool, the quality of the higher education improves. This educational experiment has been carried out with the students of intermediate courses of Graduates in Industrial and Civil Engineering with very favourable results.