Classes Taught
CE312 – Soil Mechanics
CE838 – Bituminous Materials (This is a new course developed by Dr. Kutay)
CE815 – Slope Stability and Stabilization Techniques
CE495 - Senior (Capstone) Design - Geotechnical
Methods/Tools used for Improved Learning Experience
- I’ve been using numerical simulations to improve the learning experience. As part of a research grant funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant (#1100020), we developed a model that simulates water flow in micro-and macro-pores of soils. I’ve used this model to simulate flow of water underneath the dams and development of flow lines. Example simulations are illustrated at the bottom of this page. I use these simulations while teaching the concept of seepage in CE312 Soil Mechanics class.
- One of the techniques I use is to prepare course notes in MS Word and leave blank spaces for the important definitions/topics. I post these (incomplete) notes to the class web site in advance and allow students to print and bring to the class. I fill out the blank spaces as I teach using a document camera or a tablet PC. This style has been very effective in keeping the students’ focus and facilitating their understanding.
- After attending the National Effective Teaching Seminar organized by the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), I’ve started using Active Learning techniques in the classes I have been teaching.
- In CE 838 Bituminous Materials, I incorporated my (and others’) latest research results including: (1) image-based determination of aggregate angularity and sphericity for asphalt mix design, (2) image correlation method for determination of radial and axial strains during asphalt mixture testing in the laboratory and (3) latest concepts in VECD-based fatigue analysis. In addition, CE 838 course includes biweekly laboratory sessions where students perform asphalt binder and mixture experiments.
- I regularly assign MATLAB-based and Excel-based homeworks in CE 312, CE815 and CE838. I believe this contributes positively towards improving students’ numerical analysis and programming skills.
