Understanding and Using Structural Concepts

Introduction

A website, Seeing and Touching Structural Concepts, has been developed for enhancing the understanding of structural concepts taught at university. The contents on the website complement class teaching and those in textbooks. Each structural concept listed on the website is demonstrated by one or more physical models and its application in practice is illustrated by various examples. Thus, you can quickly and effectively refresh some structural concepts you have studied in the past years and learn new concepts through using this website:

www.structuralconcepts.org

The coursework includes

1. Read through all sections on the website for revising structural concepts and appreciating their applications, including the Introduction.
2. Study one of the two listed as follows:
   • Design/sketch/use a physical model that can demonstrate one structural concept, or
   • Identify and describe one practical example in which any one structural concept has been used creatively.
3. Read through the collection of all submissions and vote the best three you think.

It is suggested that your coursework is edited into two A4 pages with high quality contents and presentation, using 12 pt Times New Roman. However, there is no limitation on the number of pages of your submission. Template for completing Item 2 can be downloaded from Blackboard.

Provide the references you used for completing the coursework, such as books, papers and websites.
(Please don’t forget to leave your name on your coursework.)

Item 2 should be submitted through Blackboard. If there is an associated video, the video can be submitted to YouTube and a link to the video should be given in your report. (The deadline of the submission will be announced in the class)

Item 3 should also be submitted through Blackboard and the deadline will be given.

For designing/making a physical model demonstrating a structural concept
Concept: the concept to be demonstrated
Model: the name of the model

Then the description, figures and photos of your models can be presented at your own preference, including the use and effectiveness of the model.

For showing an existing structure where one structural concept is identified.
Concept: the concept/measure that is identified
Structure: the name of the structure

Then the description, figures and photos of the structure/model can be presented at your own preference. Please show the function and effectiveness of the concept/measure in your coursework.

The collection of students’ submissions in the last year are available on Blackboard.