An Interactive Web-Based Approach to Perform Full-Scale Tensile Testing Experiments

An interactive web-based software on ‘Tensile Testing of Materials’ is developed to help undergraduate students learn more effectively about the objectives, procedure, and methods used in the experiment. The main objective was to better prepare the students in performing their tasks during the physical experiment. The intention of this project is to reap the benefits of both web based training as well as performing the experiments in a practical and interactive sense. Access to the software is given to the students before performing the actual experiment. The software is evaluated to assess its effectiveness. Our initial results verify that the virtual lab could be an effective tool in preparation of the students for the actual experimental tasks in a laboratory environment. In the following paper, the design of the software, important elements of the virtual lab and the evaluation results will be presented.Copyright © 2005 by ASME