Dunmore Bridge case study: an introduction to geotechnical engineering via finite element analysis

This paper describes the development of a case study based upon the preliminary design of a working platform to support a 1200T crane during the replacement of bridge spans on the historic Dunmore Bridge (Woodville, NSW, Australia). The case study was developed to enrich the teaching of finite element methods to undergraduate students by exposing students to practical aspects of finite element modelling and the use of commercial finite element software. The nature of the project permitted geotechnical engineering topics to be incorporated into the case study and introduced students to CPT testing and interpretation, importance of working platforms and realistic soil profiles. The Dunmore Bridge project was selected for the case study as it has many interesting aspects that are topical, interesting and motivational to the students. Historic records of the bridge construction are available and being a local bridge, the site can readily be visited by students. As the upgrade of the Dunmore Bridge is scheduled to occur within the next 18 months the project is topical and will be covered by the local media. The project is being recorded using time-lapse photography which will provide an additional multi-media resource for use in refinement of the case study. Feedback from students on the case study and how it helped motivate student learning was obtained via an anonymous online discussion forum.