GT Beam - An Interactive Graphic Beam Analysis Program for Education

Abstract

An interactive beam analysis program called GT BEAM, that has been developed at Georgia Tech for use in undergraduate mechanics courses, is presented. The development objectives of the program are discussed and how the program has been used effectively to increase the learning and understanding of indeterminate beam structures is presented. Practical experience with the program in two elementary structures courses is also discussed. The paper shows how graphically oriented programs can be beneficial to the education of first year engineering students by allowing them to perform 'what-if' design scenarios. The program is structured to minimize the time the instructor needs to spend in the classroom demonstrating it. The program is free to all educational institutions.