Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Activities

11 Introduction to PBL
A PBL lab is where students are given the freedom to develop their own approaches to solve a
given problem instead of merely following the already set guidelines from a lab manual or
elsewhere. Working on PBL pushes students to develop critical thinking skills. The students
here must devise their own strategies and back them with explanations, theory, and logical
justification. An important aspect of PBL is that a given problem may be solved in different
ways, therefore, students’ group are encouraged to investigate different methods and justify
and execute the adopted approach.

11.1 Debriefing

Lab in charge/instructor will have a debriefing session with the students every week. The
teacher may drop pointers for the students and perhaps talk about the difficulties that the
students faced while doing the experiments. This may be in the form of a lecture or a discussion
and could emphasize the essential learning points. The list of experiments from fluid mechanics
is given on subsequent pages. Each group will choose one experiment from the list and will
spend three labs sessions to complete the experiments and report on the expected outcomes.

11.2 General Guidelines

 Students are expected to register their selected activities at the end of 7th lab week.
 Student groups should email a prioritized list of at least 3 preferred experiments to concerned
laboratory engineer. Allotment of PBL topics will be based on time of response and availability of
topic.
 Students are expected to submit a summary of their progress at the end of each PBL session.
Summary can be in hand-written or printed format.
 Students will submit a final report in form of a technical paper in PDF format as well as in hard
form on Monday of 15th week of semester.
 Demonstration of final PBL results/outcomes and viva will be held in the 15th week of semester.
 Literature repository and suggested readings are available at FME internal folder Solid Mechanics
II Lab. To access the folder, press Windows and R keys simultaneously to display Run window and
type \\10.1.17.20. Username and password is mems.
Plagiarism policy

All the PBL reports will be submitted by students in PDF format which will be checked
for plagiarism through software. Violation of academic integrity in this regard will be
penalized with marks deduction. A very high similarity index may sanction an F grade in
the laboratory course. PBL Introduction Session will outline explicit guidelines for
students to avoid plagiarism.

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11.3 PBL Rubrics Development Guide

Performance Criteria Assessment Tools Mapped PLOs

Problem Analysis PLO-4

Marks: 10% Weekly progress report Cognitive Domain

Proposed Methodology

Marks: 20% Weekly progress report PLO-12

Detailed Design of Experiments PLO-4

Marks: 20% Weekly progress report Cognitive Domain

Demonstration of Proposed
Theoretical and Experimental
Methods PLO-4
Viva and demonstration
Marks: 30% session Psychomotor domain

Teamwork
Observation and weekly
Marks: 10% progress reports PLO-9

Documentation PLO-10

Marks: 10% Final PBL report Cognitive Domain

11.4 PBL Technical Paper Guide

Abstract with keywords.
Introduction
Mathematical Modelling / Simulations
Experimental Setup
Instrumentation
Experimentation
Discussion & Conclusion
ASME conference paper template will be provided to students. Top performing
groups will get complete support from lab team to publish/present their work in
a reputed conference.

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11.5 PBL Statements

PBL NO 01: Design and fabrication of a Truss Bridge

Aim

To design and fabricate a truss bridge to support half kilogram load

Apparatus

1. Craft sticks
2. Glue gun
3. Truss Bridge Pattern handout
4. Glue
5. Clip

Expected Outcomes/ Objectives

1. Perform analysis on different truss configurations

2. Select truss configurations which provide high strength
3. Truss should support 500 g of mass without failure
4. Fabricate truss using material provided

Suggested Readings

1. https://www.slideshare.net/rajdutt1111/project-report-on-truss-bridge
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llhSEwUE6cY
3. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/programs/bridgebuilding/Presentation.pdf

Report Outline

1. Literature review
2. Propose methodology
3. Design the experimental procedure
4. Practical demonstration of different cases
5. Results analysis, discussion and conclusion
6. Conclusion

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PBL NO 02: Find the spring constant of different spring materials.

Aims

The aim of this PBL to evaluate the spring characteristics of different materials.

Objectives

To find the value of equivalent spring constant of different spring materials and different combinations
(series and parallel).

Steps to follow

1. Problem Analysis
2. Proposed Methodologies
3. Detailed design of the experiment
4. Results analysis, discussion and conclusion
5. Documentation of the above work through project report

Suggested Readings

1. Newton's second law of motion can help you understand how to convert from units of mass
(hanging from the spring) to units of force (mass x acceleration due to gravity):
Henderson, T., 2004. "Newton's Second Law," The Physics Classroom, Glenbrook South High
School, Glenview, Illinois. Retrieved February 18, 2016 from
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-3/Newton-s-Second-Law
2. Stanbrough, J.L., 2006. "Dynamics: Hooke's Law Experiment," Batesville High School, Batesville,
IN. Retrieved February 18, 2016 from
http://www.batesville.k12.in.us/Physics/PhyNet/Mechanics/Newton3/Labs/SpringScale.html.
Report Outline

1. Literature review
2. Propose solution/methodology
3. Design of experiment
4. Collecting and analyzing data
5. Conclusion
6. Practical demonstration of different cases

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PBL No 03: To build an Arduino based circular kinematic meter which will be used to
measure centripetal acceleration and angular velocity.
Aims

Get basis understanding of the centripetal acceleration and angular velocity

Expected Outcome

1. Design circular kinematic meter that can measure centripetal acceleration and angular velocity.
2. Measuring centripetal acceleration and validation of results.
3. Measuring angular velocity and validation of results.

Apparatus

The following materials will be used to build Circular kinematic meter.

1. Plastic sheet or Acrylic sheets
2. Stepper motor + Mounting parts
3. Arduino
4. Mother board + Accelerometer Device
5. Sensor

Report Outline

1. Literature review
2. Propose methodology
3. Modeling and Design
4. Fabrication
5. Practical demonstration
6. Circular motion analysis
7. Results and Conclusions

Suggested Readings

https://www.instructables.com/id/Cirkinemeter-Arduino-Based-Circular-Kinematics-Pla/

https://theory.uwinnipeg.ca/physics/circ/node6.html

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/rotq.html

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PBL No 04: Fabrication of mini conveyor using Mechanical Mechanism

Aims

Aim of this PBL is the study of conveyor belts and fabrication of mini conveyor belt.

Objectives

Objective of PBL is to get detailed knowledge of conveyor belts and transportation through
conveyors. Get knowledge about use of some intermittent mechanism.

Apparatus

1. Wood structure or metal structure

2. Flat belt
3. 5V DC motor
4. Crowned flat belt Pulleys

Suggested Readings

https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Geneva-Wheels-of-Any-Size-in-a-Easier-Way/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqYSWflnKr4
https://nptel.ac.in/courses/112103174/module4/lec5/2.html

Report Outline

1. Propose methodology
2. Literature review
3. Design the experimental procedure
4. Practical demonstration of different cases
5. Results analysis, discussion and conclusion
6. Conclusion

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PBL No 05: To generate and validate the acceleration profile of a dynamic carts.

Aim
Get basis understanding of methods to measure the dynamics parameters of system.

Expected Outcome
1. Design system that can measure acceleration of dynamic carts.
2. Generating the acceleration profile of dynamic carts.
3. Interpretation and validation of acceleration profile.
Apparatus
1. Two carts
2. Sliding apparatus
3. ADXL accelerometers
4. Arduino

Guidelines
1. Propose methodology
2. Literature review
3. Design of experimental procedure
4. Practical demonstration for different cases
5. Results, Discussion and Conclusion

Suggested Readings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvn7_Vew12o
https://learn.adafruit.com/adxl345-digital-accelerometer/overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM_Vj8weu4I

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PBL No 06: Find the center of gravity (CG) of a non-symmetric composite body

Aims

To find center of gravity of non -symmetric composite assembly theoretically & experimentally.

Requirements

1. Various components of different density (composite)

2. The composite assembly should not be symmetric about any two axis.
Expected Outcomes/ Objectives

1. Understand basic concept of composite materials

2. Study of methods for calculation of center of gravity (CG)
3. Theoretical analysis and its experimental validation
Suggested Readings

https://compositesuk.co.uk/composite-materials/introduction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Si7ndpn_I0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jo8gVUmTEw

Guidelines

1. Propose methodology
2. Literature review
3. Design the experimental procedure
4. Practical demonstration of different cases
5. Results analysis, discussion and conclusion
6. Conclusion

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PBL No 07: To find the moment of inertia of a body using Trifiler or Bifilar techniques.

Aims
Design of a Trifiler or Bifilar mechanism and using it for measurement of moment of inertia of a body.

Objectives/Expected Outcome:
1. To determine moment of inertia of a body.
2. To determine the radius of gyration of a body
3. To investigate the factors affecting calculation of moment of inertia of a body.
4. An investigation of the accuracy of the experiment
5. Deeper understanding of the experimental process.
Requirements
1. Aluminum
2. Steel
3. Composite
4. Strings
To Find:

1. Natural frequency
2. Time period
3. Theta=F(t)

Suggested Readings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmLXh5oYHyA
https://www.p-a-hilton.co.uk/products/vibration-hvt/bifilar-trifilar-suspension
https://www.gunt.de/en/products/engineering-mechanics-and-engineering-
design/dynamics/vibrations/bifilar-trifilar-suspension-of-pendulums/040.16200/tm162/glct-1:pa-
148:ca-19:pr-1375
https://www.naugra.com/bifilar-trifilar-suspension-apparatus

Guidelines
1. Propose methodology
2. Literature review
3. Design the experimental procedure
4. Practical demonstration of different cases
5. Results analysis, discussion and conclusion
6. Conclusion

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