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Reflection Paper

Effect of Extreme Wind Loads on Structures(Hurricane/Tornadoes)
Reflection Paper

REU NSF Summer Inter 2010

University of Arlington Texas

Submitted by: Valon McCall
8/10/2010

My experience with REU was very rewarding. Upon arriving, I had very little knowledge of wind loads on residential construction. Now I feel I have more than enough knowledge and skills to essentially calculate and design buildings to IBC standards, by utilizing computer software to check for any possible errors that I might have overlooked. The program was under the leadership of Tanvar Manzar, who is currently working towards his doctorate in civil engineering at University Texas of Arlington; and Dr. Yazdani who is the department head of the civil engineering at UTA. It was a great educational advantage as both of their backgrounds are very strong in this particular field. Working alongside other undergraduates we had the ability to come together and work on problems, and make a team effort to solve or come up with agreeable solutions. One of our main objectives at the program was to receive hands on training for the assessment and strengthening of residential houses for extreme winds from hurricanes and tornadoes. Overall, I felt we accomplished this task.

Significant amounts of our reading material coming from “Minimum Design for Buildings and other Structures” we gained knowledge on how to simplify as well as the analytical methods of wind pressure on structures. Realizing that hurricanes and tornadoes are the most expensive natural disaster in the U.S. (costing around $44 billion from 1986 to 1993), learning how to construct building structures that withstand hurricanes of extreme winds would be more cost efficient for the future.

In my first day at orientation, during the workshops I learned multiple things that will help benefit me in my career endeavor in Ethics and Research. I gained additional understanding about the importance of ethics research when my colleagues and peers had a group discussion about past experience where we made a few not praiseworthy decisions and the impact it may have had. This experience is what stands out the most to me, it was a time when I realized that everyone is human and we all make mistakes which we sometimes regret. But, in order to better yourself as an individual you have to learn from these adolescent mistakes, and make wiser decisions in the future. I had come to the conclusion that sometimes it seems as if situations from the past haunt you continuously throughout life. But realizing other people face them as well which made me feel more comfortable around others in the program.

This experience, in contrast to other research opportunities I have had was very rewarding. With the REU experience being held at UTA it was solely more than I anticipated from just looking at pictures of the campus online. Other research programs that I have participated in typically comprised me and one other college professor doing extensive amount of library and editorial research of related subjects for project objectives. REU on the other hand was the exact opposite from what I’m use to. I have never had the opportunity to work with someone as highly respected in their studies, and with so many accomplishments throughout life. I must say it has motivated me to continue on after a baccalaureate degree to seek further education for a master’s degree.

Being in school for engineering technology at Grambling state University has some advantages to the overall experience in REU program. Basic understanding of calculating wind load pressures can be tied into my field in several ways. One way is the design of resident and commercial buildings on Architecture AutoCAD 2010. I can take my structures and use RISA 3D to calculate the total wind loads on different applications of the building. Another way is I can find the critical points and restructure it as needed whether using a stronger material or different design to withstand wind pressures that may occur during times of natural disasters.

My personal overall experience was probably impacted by the campus and the discussion groups with other undergraduates. The majority of the students in the program are from UTA and already know the campus and professors who were advocating the program. I come from a HBCU which is probably 1/8th of the size of UTA with not nearly as many resources as UTA. It has truly been an experience to remember and I consider it a milestone accomplishment in my life. Conducting research at a school known for their highly creditable research makes me feel proud and grateful for the education I have attained over the past six weeks.

I felt the program was diversified and well balanced throughout the REU experience. Meeting and getting to know people from different races and backgrounds was a nice culture experience. I enjoyed listening and learning from their perspective on the engineering industry. Outside of classes, I mingled with colleagues as well and it was fun to see they have many of the same interests as I do. Meeting one particular participant from Jamaica was most interesting. His passion for soccer help me gain a new friend interested in sitting and watching the World Cup finals on television. Also learning the skills and techniques of how to be a pro at table tennis were some of the things I picked up from the students.

The REU program was closely related to what was written in the brochure. I learned you can gain a substantial knowledge and understanding in a short period of time in this program. Some of the perks which I found rewarding had to be RISA 3D. RISA 3D which I would say isn’t the most user friendly software program known to mankind. However, the overall tools it provides to civil engineers is worth the complexity of learning the ins and outs of the program. Things I felt that should have been included in the program are an onsite visit. This would provide us a visual concept of what it was we were researching to utilize it more effectively then just 60’ x 30’ drawing with joist and beams testing. What I did learn has definitely given me on a more competitive edge amongst others in my department. Hopefully, I picked up enough skills that I can effectively reiterate what I’ve discovered and be helpful to others who want to learn more about wind loads on structures.

My overall experience has been very rewarding, even though it was done in a short time period. In all, I attained detailed information that I can apply in my future for my field of study, and applications that will be asset to my knowledge. REU not only made it possible to expand my educational horizon but also made it fun and rewarding while doing so. This has been one of the few times where education and studying were fun, collaborating together while doing research projects. I feel more prepared for what might occur in the future and I now realize the limitlessly possibilities my education can give me. This program has instilled in me the advantages of obtaining a master degree, but furthering my studies to a doctrine has rewarding outcomes upon completion. My goal for next summer is to find another REU program to participate in expanding my knowledge as a researcher.

Daily log

RISA 3D work

Using Risa 3-D trust

Trust/ magnitude

Video of RISA 3D

deflection of structure with wind loads