TROY, N.Y. — Without ever leaving the room where they are studying, civil engineering students can now transport themselves into the field where they must take measurements, make observations, and understand the impact of the environment on their designs, and their designs on the environment.
TROY, N.Y. – Millions of dollars are spent fortifying dams to withstand earthquakes — but it may not be necessary. New research being conducted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is examining whether or not that spending actually contributes to public safety. “The Army Corps of Engineers has spent hundreds of millions of dollars retrofitting some dams which may not need to be retrofitted,” said Tarek Abdoun, a chaired professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rensselaer who is leading this research with support from the National Science Foundation.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year $650,000 grant to two Rensselaer professors to develop Geo Explorer, a game that will allow engineering students to inspect, design, and test flood protection systems virtually.
Students Constructed Winning Model of Earthen Wall Using Paper, Tape, and Poster Board A team of undergraduate and graduate students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently won the 2011 National GeoChallenge for their innovative earth wall design.