Georgia Institute of Technology EERI Student Chapter

On Friday, November 12, 2004 the Georgia Tech student chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (GTEERI) sponsored a tour of the Structural Engineering and Materials Laboratory for local high school students. The Structural Engineering and Materials Laboratory which boasts one of the largest reaction walls in the country provided an extraordinary venue from which to raise awareness among high school students of the role that civil engineers play in society. The tour, which lasted approximately two hours, allowed the students to see first hand some of the current projects that are being carried out by Georgia Tech faculty and students and learn more about civil engineering.

Approximately 80 students from two local high schools, Rockdale Magnate and Tri-Cities, were greeted by EERI student chapter members who discussed a variety of topics with them including past work done at the structures lab, materials testing, earthquake engineering, and large scale testing. The groups toured the “bone yard” where they could see the remnants of past tests and were told how these tests have had an effect on current structural engineering practice. A small earthquake simulator was used to introduce concepts in the field of earthquake engineering while the breaking of actual concrete cylinders in a large test frame provided both excitement and intrigue. Demonstrations on the use of smart materials, such as shape memory alloys, and on composite materials provided insight into new areas which structural engineers are exploring. Discussions involving the two 88 foot high strength girders that are currently  being tested and the full scale bridge span which will look at how earthquakes affect current bridge setups in Georgia were conducted.

The tour ended with further opportunity for the high school students to ask any questions they may have and view some of the posters of other current research that was conducted, along with some group pictures. The GT EERI students plan to continue working with the high school students as advisors of their science project on earthquake engineering.