Utilização da tecnologia de impressão 3D para confecção de material didático para a disciplina de construções em aço

Abstract

This study consists of the development of a steel constructions discipline courseware with the aid of 3D printing technology. A conspicuous problem in higher education engineering in Brazil is the difficulty faced when trying to effectively transmit knowledge to students, both due to gaps in the university lecturers’ trainings and students’ background knowledge and motivation deficits. The application of modern teaching methods and styles has been increasing over the last years, including UTFPR itself, to help remedy this problem, the idea of developing a courseware for a discipline of the civil engineering grade emerged. It was then decided to use the advantages of 3D printing technology and the behavioral similarities between polymers and steel to manufacture prototypes that can demonstrate concepts studied during the Steel Constructions course, such as failure modes and characteristics of metallic connections. Applying educational theories in conjunction with 3D modeling and steel structures sizing calculations, models were developed to demonstrate the concepts of gross section flow, liquid section failure, contact pressure, block shear, buckling length, global buckling and local buckling, rigid and flexible connections and supports, and weld geometry. Considering the ease of replication, production cost, ergonomics and design, mechanisms that allow easily applying axial forces during classroom demonstrations and thus cause the failure of test pieces were crafted, dimensioned previously in this research or by the students themselves, the mechanisms enable the comparison between theory and practice and facilitate the understanding of the subject. Scaled models of large construction artifacts were also crafted, allowing teachers to bring physical samples into the classroom that would not be possible otherwise. In conclusion, it was possible to develop different approaches to demonstrate all the concepts functionally and to fulfill the main objective of the research, of trying to help higher education in the country, the files and assembly instructions for all the prototypes were made available online, allowing any instructor with access to a 3D printer to replicate and use the material in their classes.