MIRI: Thirty-five students of Curtin University Malaysia recently took part in a ‘Floating Structure Challenge’ organised by the university’s Department of Civil and Construction Engineering.
The competition was organised as part of the students’ study of units related to structural analysis which is an integral part of the civil and construction engineering course at the university.
The university said structural analysis is an engineering discipline that involves the study of the forces and deformations of structures to determine their stability, strength, and safety.
The university also said the process of structural analysis involves mathematical calculations, computer simulations, and physical testing to ensure that a structure can withstand the loads and stresses it will experience over its lifetime.
Meanwhile, Head of Department of Civil and Construction Engineering Associate Professor Wong Kwong Soon said aside from classroom delivery, other learning activities like the floating structure competition can help students understand structural analysis better.
He pointed out that the students found it to be a considerably more fun and engaging way of learning a complex subject.
“Forming themselves into nine teams, the students pitted their knowledge and skills in structural analysis and model construction against each other. They were given just 45 minutes to construct their floating structures, and another 45 minutes to test them.
“They were given materials such as empty mineral water bottles, paper cups and binding materials to construct their floating structures, and testing of loads was done with weights. The maximum sustained load without overturning as well as self-weight of the structures was recorded for each structure,” he said.
Prizes were given to the teams whose floating structures sustained the most loads considering the self-weight of the floating structure.
Coming up tops was team ‘ISD’ comprising Joyce Tiong Ka Kiong, Tan Jeng Shiang and Edmund Hii Xiang Yao, followed by first runner-up team ‘Johan’ comprising Vincent Wong Bing Sheng, Wong Sing Fong, Calvin Wong Shu Jing and Kenneth Tsang Tze Hou.
The second runner-up was team ‘F.A.T. John’ comprising Tan Jia Qi, Alan Poon Tik Loon, Forrest Tiong Ing Poh and See Xu Ze.
‘Highest Load Awards’ were also presented to teams that achieved the highest loads without their floating structures overturning. The winners in this category were teams ‘Johan’ and ‘Harrrrr~’.
